Manchester United Banter Archive April 28 2013

 

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28 Apr 2013 23:07:28
For once I actually agree with a PFA team of the year. Would of thought RVP would be player of the year with Bale as the young players of the year. Good to see Carrick, Ferdinand and RVP recognised. But also, our 'useless' Goalkeeper, as many will say! What an exceptional goal keeper he is turning out to be! Hopefully we will have Bale in our team next year as well ;)

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De Gea must be embarressed he was selected. Begovic, Mignolet, Hart, Cech, Jaaskelainen - need I go on. {Ed004's Note - Yes and then go watch De Gea's performances this year and see how much he has improved in every way. Then go look at the stats which will show you he has the best save to shot ratio on the premiership, has only made 1 error that has led to a goal and that his handling of crosses has improved massively. He also has 2nd most clean sheets which is impressive as he had an injury prone back four for first half of the season and pretty sure he went the longest keeper in the league recent. But no doubt you will ignore that as you are obviously some bitter fan. None of this is taking into considation his heroics in Europe or the FA cup}

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29 Apr 2013 07:52:05
Why would he be? The team of the year is made up from votes from all their fellow professionals. So the majority of Prem players have voted for De Gea for him to make it. As they have to play against him in an actual match then I would assume they are better placed to judge how good he is.

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Out of all those keepers mr person no name mentioned only 1 has been near to de gea and that's cech, to even mention hart is embarrasing, the amount of clean sheets he's got is down to his defence because hart has been very average all season, begovic, mignolet and jaaskelainen are good keepers but not on the same level as de gea, well deserved dave.

phil

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Spot on Ed004, De Gea has improved dramatically and is the best keeper in the League now, and, hopefully, will improve again next season.

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Well said Ed004, couldn't have put it better myself. Really pleased for DDG and really embarrassed for this noname though!

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Team of the year is voted by the F. A.?

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It amazing how quickly fans can change there minds only a couple of months ago some of our own fans were posting about ddg being sold
Jred

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To be fair, I am very disappointed for Rafael. I thought he had an excellent season and probably deserved a young player nominee ahead of welbeck. But certainly deserved a spot on the team of the year.

Gar

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We mustn't forget DDG had a couple flaps against Arsenal so he is still learning. It will be interesting to see whether we still look to buy Begovic in the summer. I wouldn't mind as long as it was Lindegaard replaced and not DDG.

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Seems to me the Begovic rumours have dies down I think because of DDG's form. Can't see him coming in as no. 2 and I hope DDG is here to stay for a long time.

HBadger

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29 Apr 2013 13:15:54
Jred some of us have always backed him though. Now we're reaping the rewards of patience. If those who called for him to be sold have changed their minds then that's their choice. Hopefully its down to Dave's performances and not just being fickle. MrE

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Top keepers in the league
De Gea
Cech
Loris
Begovic
Mignolet
Howard
Al Habsi
top 3 are all about on the same level

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Top keepers in the league
De Gea
Cech
Loris
Begovic
Mignolet
Howard
Al Habsi
top 3 are all about on the same level

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28 Apr 2013 23:02:49
Wow. disgraceful that bale wins BOTH the awards. if you're nominated for one then you shouldn't be included in the other.

JK92

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29 Apr 2013 00:02:15
Couldn't agree more, I thought exactly the same when CR7 did the same thing in 2006/7 but hey he's United so that's ok then.

I've know idea how it's possible for a club to have enjoyed so much success and have such bitter fans, amazed I haven't seen posts slating Joe Hart today just because DDG dropped a cross.

UFB

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I ain't being bitter, he deserves the award but only one of them.

JK92

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It was decided a few weeks ago, he has also won football writers award!

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Obviously he has earned both, that is why he got all the VOTES

dave

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I don't see how it's disgraceful TBH

HBadger

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29 Apr 2013 13:21:14
i think the point is how can he win young player when he's 23. Its not that young really and he's been in the Spurs first team for five years. Young player should be limited to players who are 21 and under. Well done to Bale for getting the votes but the process is flawed. And I thought that when Ronaldo won it. You showed that you are the bitter one by even bringing ronaldo into it. MrE

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MrE I agree the under 23 rule is daft in this day and age when some youngsters break onto the scene by 18 yrs old, however, thems the rules! I think they should change the rules for next year but just because Bale won both this year it's no disgreace in my book, in fact under the current rules I'd say it's the correct decision.

HBadger

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28 Apr 2013 22:21:54
Watching some of the old Dortmund matches from 18/24 months ago, and the understanding between Kagawa and Lewandowski was truly out of this world.

If rumours are to be believed, and some of that is recreated next season at Old Trafford, we're going to be very very attractive to watch! (We already are of course, but you get my point). Can't wait for the Summer!

WF Red Devil

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It would be ideal to take a player a year from Dortmund. So, Kagawa last year, Lewandowski this year and Gundogan next year. Add to that this year Strootman & Ronaldo/Bale and we are in business. We can then sign Gundogan and a left back next year & perhaps another winger. I still think we will hopefully play a 4-3-3 next year, Bale or Ronaldo are happy to play up top alongside Lewandowski and RVP. But Valencia, Young, Zaha, Kagawa, Welbeck, Bale/Ronaldo, RVP, Januzaj should be enough!

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Reus!

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Attractive to watch are you joking we are very workman like at best

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28 Apr 2013 22:04:09
PFA Premier League XI 2012/13

De Gea, Zabaleta, Ferdinand, Vertonghen, Baines, Carrick, Hazard, Mata, Bale, Van Persie, Suarez.


RED91

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28 Apr 2013 20:34:42
I couldn't see us beating the record points total and hopefully with that result we will now play each game as it comes not considering point totals. I also hope they now play for the shirt and some for their careers because they played for the first half an hour as if the celebration night out was last night.
For those who can't see what the tactical issue is, take a look at the first half today. You could have guessed Arsenal would come out fired up but who chose 4. 4. 2 as our starting formation? We should have come out to hold midfield for the first half an hour then looked to develop the play. A tactician would not have been so naive as to play two definite forwards against a fired up team who always overload in midfield. In the second half at least Rooney dropped back to be in the vicinity of Arteta when we didn't have the ball.
I see some criticism of Rooney however the problem was not solely him, in fact I felt in the second half he played better than he has for a while, but when will our tacticians realise midfield is usually the key to the game. On the positive side Jones displayed the heart of a potential legend, someone you want to go into battle alongside. He isn't Keane, yet, but when I played football you would want a defining player with heart on your side, someone to go into battle with you and Jones is that one. That was possibly Carricks quietest game for a while and Valencia was satisfactory. Valencia has not been the player from last season but deserves more time next season. Then we come to Nani, I think the question is whether playing him actually increases his value or decreases it. RVP is a quality player but doesn't play with pace, he needs pace with him and we don't offer that, we are not sharp and active like Dortmund, do not close down the oppositin high up the pitch. I wonder if SAF has seen that.
Looking at us we are functional, almost winning by percentages and that has worked this season but next against a likely improved Chelsea and City would definitely be more of a challenge.

If we look at today we were relaxed yet could not pick off an Arsenal side that became more nervous as the game went on. Our great teams would have picked them off on the break with pace and we can't do that, something to note for the transfer window. Overall a good draw in which at least we gave account of ourselves in the second half but it revealed our usual flaws including the one that we are not clinical in front of goal.

Red Man

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For all the talk of fluid formations we seem to be slipping back to 4_4_2 which for me is a worry
Jred

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29 Apr 2013 08:05:00
I think were playing 442 more atm due to the players we have available. Plus the fact that we need to give some players games. Nani needs games to put him in the shoo window, Valencia needs games to try and regain some form, Rooney needs games to regain form/shop window. Then we have Carrick in midfield, but with Scholes injuried, and Cleverley being given an extended break to avoid burn out, that only leaves Jones Giggs and Anderson as other options in midfield. So it would. Young is also out injured. So it would be differcult to have a three man midfield with our limited number of midfielders available, if Rooney Nani and Valencia are to regain some form then they need to be played in their best positions which are out wide for Valencia and Nani and upfront for Rooney. Which kind of dictates how the team will have to line up. Unless we drop RvP then we need to play two up top as Rooney needs games there, that only leaves four other midfielders/forward positions, considersing we have two wingers who need games and suddenly your left with 442. I wouldn't expect to see 442 much next season, although at times with a fluid formation it will happen at times. But I wouldn't expect it to be a ridgid 442, if that makes any sense. Lol

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Shappy when did we last play a 3 man midfield
Jred

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29 Apr 2013 12:04:13
Carrick Cleverley and Kagawa when all playing together are a three man midfield, even though Kagawa plays very advanced in midfield. We've done that on many occasions, we've also done it with Rooney playing there instead of Kagawa. We have dabbled with it on several occasions this year.

Normally you play a three man midfield with a specialist defensive midfielder with an attack minded midfielder and either a box to box or deep lying playmaker. Like the Milan team of a few years ago with Gattuso Pirlo and Kaka.

We are doing it with a different slant, Sir Alex doesn't play with a specialist DM and prefers to play a double pivot system in midfield. Even the Scholes/Keane partnership required both to do the defensive work and attacking.

So when we play with a three man midfield we will play with two box to box all round midfielders with one attacking midfielder. So next season if we sign Strootman then it will be Carrick and Strootman with Kagawa playing infront of them.

Shappy

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Shappy
We don't play a double pivot Carrick sits
With clevs and Carrick playing and either Rooney or kags in the hole that's really a 4_4_1_1.
Most formations revert to 5 in the middle when the other team has the ball with the expectation of 4_4_2.
That's why most teams play with one out and out striker
Jred

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I wouldn't completely rule out the diamond formation. I know Jred isn't a big fan of the diamond, but it is a formation that we could play well with the correct personnel. It worked well at Newcastle so SAF may look at that again. Chelsea were successful with this formation for years.

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29 Apr 2013 14:42:10
We haven't been able to play the double pivot as we would normally do due to the lack of quality, as a result Carrick has had to adapt his game to sit deeper and not venture forward as much as he would normally do. Earlier in the season before Cleverley got tired out Carrick started to move forward more. As he does when he's playing with Jones. If someone of Strootman's quality came in then it would enable us to play this system more.

Shappy

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I think people are giving far too much credence in the technical differences of certain formations. Very few players hold a rigid position on the football pitch anymore, CBs aside. A LB plays on the left, a RB on the right etc but in modern day football that is almost where the relevance of formations ends, especially if you want to play fluid football. Someone like Mourinho puts a lot of emphasis on such things and look how his teams tend to play.


“Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of making yourself available to receive a pass. It is terribly simple. ” - Bill Shankly


TK-Red

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29 Apr 2013 18:25:44
You do have a good point there TK, but i'm talking about a formation as a starting point, where do you line up when you don't have the ball? That still needs to be an organised postion so you can defend adequately. When you have the ball though that is where the fluid movement of a team comes into its own.

Maybe we are looking alittle too deeply into it. I think this over analisis comes from the fact that there is nothing left to play for this season and we are looking towards next season and trying to work out how the team will play and by extension what players we are likely to be looking at in the summer. All reasoned debate has to start somewhere.

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28 Apr 2013 20:23:42
Was discussing this with my mates at work (all United supporters), and thought I would get opinions from the folks on here.

If you could sign any three players in world football for United, purely fantasy with no budget restrictions or anything, who would they be and why?

GRD {Ed004's Note - Messi, Ronaldo and Schweinsteiger and I think they explain themselves lol}

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28 Apr 2013 20:37:36
Gotze, Bale and Ronaldo.

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Fair enough Ed004, not bad choices lol.

GRD

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I would personally go for what I think we need.

1) A long-term successor to Evra at left-back.

My choice: Luke Shaw

2) A creative yet box-to-box midfielder.

My choice: Jack Wilshere

3) An unpredictable, goalscoring winger.

My choice: Gareth Bale


GRD

GRD

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Bale, ronaldo, lewandowski

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Rodriguez, el shawwary and wilshere

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How can people not choose messi?!
1. Messi
2. Ronaldo
3. Bale

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Messi Iniesta & Bale. The only reason no Ronaldo is due to age
Blackpool Red

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28 Apr 2013 20:10:42
I keep seeing the usual names popping up as potential signings to strengthen our midfield for next season, Gundogan and Strootman mainly. Both would be fantastic signings yes, but what about Jack Wilshere? I know he is arguably Arsenal's best player and it seems unlikely, but so was RvP. For me, Wilshere is a better player than both Gundogan and Strootman. In fact, I would say he is the most promising young midfielder in world football. He has had his injury problems of course, but hopefully those are behind him (whether we signed him or not), because he has a hell of a future. He is only 21 years old and is already proven in the Premier League and Champions League, where he stood out against teams like Milan and Barcelona, as well as at International level for England. He has it all; great vision both short and long, fantastic energy, plays box-to-box, he is fearless and creativity wise he is second to none. I would love it if we signed him.

Thoughts?

GRD {Ed004's Note - I would love to sign him but I think there is no chance of it happening. He doesn't want to leave Arsenal, I don't even think he has an agent}

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Really Ed? Interesting, I thought all players at that level had agents these days. He would be an amazing signing. Just out of curiosity, do you or any of the other Eds know if United have had any interest in Jack at any point?

GRD {Ed004's Note - I don't think there is any. I know Valencia doesn't have an agent}

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Well fair play to them I guess.

GRD

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28 Apr 2013 23:06:28
gRD, you are massivly overrating wilshere. He is a worldclass talent and can go on to be one of the best midfielders in the world, but Strootman and Gundogan, barely older than Wilshere, are already ( albeit argubly ) on that level. Strootman is the captain of the Netherlands team and he will be joining football's elite teams this summer, and Gundogan is the leading midfield anchor of one of the most formidable teams in the world, and is a germany international.

Dont get me wrong, I rate Wilshere very highly, but he's nowhere near as good as you think he is. Actually, he is not much better than Pogba and Veratti. Let's not mention he is best played as an attacking midfielder and we are desesperate for a deep lying one.

Mick

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Mick, in your opinion I am overrating Wilshere. In my opinion I am not, for the reasons previously stated. FYI, Gundogan does not play the anchoring role in Dortmund's team. That is Sven Bender's position. Gundogan plays as a box-to-box midfielder, similar to Jack Wilshere, whom I believe is the better of the two.

GRD

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It doesn't matter how good he is if he can't stay fit
Jred

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28 Apr 2013 19:56:04
a few people in the media have now said that if Bale is to progress then he will have to join a bigger club, and that they believe this would be with utd

Signing Bale could depend on outgoing players (both due to cost and position) and how we will use Zaha, ie blooded in or used on right.

Ed, given where Zaha has played thus far do you think he will operate down the left or right? or do you think will use a more fluid attack with no strict positions as Kagawa, Bale, RVP, Young and Zaha could all interchange behind a main striker (Lewy, Hernandez or RVP) {Ed004's Note - Zaha has played out right all season}

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Ed, do you think valencia could be on his way out with nani or do you think he will be given another season? {Ed004's Note - I reckon Valencia will be given another season. I would sell Nani and Young if it meant we could get two wingers. Have Valencia, Zaha and Welbeck as cover sounds good}

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28 Apr 2013 19:39:20
Hey eds, doing a great job as always!

Do you know if we have/had any interest in: Serge Aurier, Antoine Griezmann, Jan Kirschoff and Maxime Gonolons?

Cheers,

Pab {Ed002's Note - No interest.}

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28 Apr 2013 20:33:15
Never even heard of most of those players. Why do people link us to nobodies? I'm guessing their all potential. We need proven quality we have stacks of potential.

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28 Apr 2013 19:16:30
That first half performance was disgraceful. They may have won the league but they are getting the trophy on the last day then they have all summer to party. Today we were playing Arsenal and we were wearing United shirts. Raphael played as if he was still drunk and Johnny Evans seemed to have forgotten all his improvements. Once again the boss took Rooney off as his passing was to put it nicely wasteful. Tony V who is that player imitating last years player of the season. He has lost every bit of confidence he ever had. Nani don't speak just get your coat and leave. Once again Phil Jones showed that no matter what the game or who against when he wears the badge he gives every thing no wonder Sir Alex loves him.

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Agreed on all. A few years ago, we won the league early and coasted the last few matches, losing a few of them. When we started the season after, we were very poor. As they say, u can't turn it on and off.

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But the system was all wrong. We were playing arsenal at emirates desperate for points with packed midfield, and we had two wingers on.
Why? When are we going to learn? Why did we buy kagawa if not play him in these matches. We could buy whoever we want, but if the tactics are always based on two wingers, then god help us when we play in Europe.
Nomidfield

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I was screaming for kagawa to come one. even my 6 yr old son said the same.

ussoldier77

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Talking of wasteful passing, who gave away the ball for the Walcott goal? Aye KLOOT?

Deeps.

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Jones Kagawa and Buttner to play the rest of the games Jones is immense Kagawa has to start and Buttner could do with games to see if his any good and Tunnilcliff should have sub apperances

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28 Apr 2013 18:57:19
Bit of football manager, but here goes:

Outs:
Rooney, Nani, Valencia, Anderson, Lindergaard, Macheda. (55m)

Ins:
Lewy, Strootman, Gundogan, James.
(85m)

Net spend 30m. Not too unrealistic.

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Left with 3 wingers at the club

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Young, James, Zaha, Welbeck, Kagawa, Januzaj can all play wing/wide.

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Three wingers is plenty, its midfielders we're short of.
Nomidfield

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I think with those players in we'd be a serious force in the champions league.

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Quiet possible james would be expensive and probably won't come but the other three are very very possible

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28 Apr 2013 18:22:33
Ronaldo is set to join Manchester United as soon as the transfer window opens along with Dortmund and Polish international striker Robert Lewandowski

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Would be the quality that we are missing, but I cannot see us signing Ronny unfortunately. An attack of RvP, Ronaldo, Kagawa & Lewandowski would put fear into any defence. {Ed004's Note - Who would you play on the right hand side? Everyone that suggests signing Bale and Ronaldo I think are forgetting how poor our right side has been. Atleast we have Kagawa who can play out left next season cutting in but we'd only have Valencia for the right side next year that's why I think Rodriguez makes sense}

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There would be options for left like Young, Welbeck & Kagawa.

Valencia, Zaha, Young for right and Ronaldo who could play either side. {Ed004's Note - that's why I think signing two wingers instead of just one of Ronaldo or Bale would be better for utd this year}

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Zaha & Ronaldo would be two wingers mate. I don't think Zaha will need much bedding in time. I think he will play more than some think. {Ed004's Note - I think some people are going to be expecting too much from Zaha the first season tbh}

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Sydney. We bought kagawa, player of the year in Germany, and you're going on about playing him out wide!
Kagawa has to play centrally behind the striker, he can pick passes that no one else can see at united. What is the point of playing him out wide?
We are obsessed with playing wide players. These days have gone. The width can come from the full backs.
Nomidfield

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Ed004, I agree, people will be expecting miracles in his first season. I expect him to play 20+ games for us, but people will need to be patient with his final ball and finishing. Cannot wait to see Zaha, Powell, Januzaj, Keane, Henriquez, Petrucci & a few others during preseason. People will need to be patient with these players. {Ed004's Note - Thats what I mean I believe Kagawa should play central and then if one of Bale or Ronaldo is signed our other options are Zaha, Valencia, Young and Welbeck. Which I'm afraid none of them our world class. Surely if we sign one of Bale/Ronaldo then by selling Rooney, Young and Nani we could hopefully find funds for a second winger but I can't see there being that many changes. Plus both Bale and Ronaldo favour the left side}

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Nomidfield, I would want to see Kagawa behind two main strikers. I never said I wanted to see him out wide.

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Zaha won't get twenty games unless giggs gets injury

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28 Apr 2013 17:45:22
I think that may be the last we see of nani
Jred

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I expect him to play in all of the remaining games. Anderson will make bench in the remaining games and I think Rooney will play as a striker in all of the remaining games.

It's shop window time.

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Yet the worst player in the league continues to disgrace our no. 7 shirt week in week out.

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He didn't look interested to me, jogging around for much of the match. I think he's possibly sulking

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Syd
There's no point playing nani, in the second half he was actually standing wAtching
Jred

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Jred, I seen it mate. I was screaming at the TV and scared by 3-year old : (

He was a couple feet away from Sagna and refused to challenge for the ball.

Perhaps Chelsea may not be a good team to play against, but I think Swansea & WBA he may feature in?

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Syd

Whats with Cleverly? Surely he has had some rest? I mean the burn out thing doesent quite match up. Considering since when he hasn't featured (Chelsea) and his age (Not too young, nor a Giggsy).

I would want him to get more time before we judge but honestly if Strootman and another decent MFer comes in, I am afraid he won't get a lot of them.

Deeps.

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Deeps, I do not expect him to play again this season. He will be on the bench for emergency use I think. Anderson will play more before the end of the season to prove his fitness. I think Jones will play more as I expect that's where SAF wants him to play next season when we play a three-man midfield.

I think we will sign one midfielder in the summer, probably Strootman. I still expect Cleverley to play 30+ games next season for club and country. Carrick will play less with Strootman giving him a much needed rest at times. That's my thoughts anyway.

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For gods sake, he's a young footballer, he should full of energy. He's not some 17 or 18 year old that might burn out. He's much older now and should be featuring in all our matches. The point is, HE'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH. period.

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De Gea

Rafael Jones Evans Shaw

Rooney Strootman

Bale Kagawa Ronaldo

van Persie


Right there is a team that could play together for 5 years and beat all comers.

GRD {Ed004's Note - Don't rate Rooney in midfield certainly not ahead of Carrick and we wouldn't be able to afford both Bale and Ronaldo}

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Too many people on this page are obsessed by age. It has nothing to do with age, it's to do with when your career begins and how few competitive games they have played building up to their first season. This is the player's first full season playing 40 competitive games for club and country. The club obviously feel he has played enough this season. Scholes didn't play that many games until his 3rd/4th season when his body was used to it. And that was before the days of medical science.

Whether or not you think he is good enough is irrelevant.

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28 Apr 2013 17:42:32
I know it's been a bit of a friendly match on our part, but I am amazed about the poor final balls and the poor final third play. We have been in some real good positions and wasted them. We could he out of sight now. Arsenal has had two chances and scored one, albeit offside. We should have scored a bundle today.

Sydney!

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That was never offside.

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Valencia is so poor around the box, I think it would of been better taking him off for Giggs instead of Nani.

JK92

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Syd, to be fair, we have had many games like that in recent months. Valencia seems to have a bit of fizz back but his crosses were dreadful today. Nani was, well Nani and that just leaves Carrick trying to pick a pass.

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Noticing offside goals now, missed a few ths season, Chelsea and West Ham games ring any bells.

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28 Apr 2013 17:38:04
We are playing deep as usual. Giving the opposition plenty of chances. Why no Kagawa. Our tactics are non existent. So disappointing to keep playing this stupid system.
When is fergie going to play with tight tactics. Dortmund would have put five past them by now.

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Congratulations for managing to mention Dortmund for no relevant reason

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Does my head in AJH, this fanfare for the German teams which sometimes borders on stupidity! "Dortmund would have put 5 past" - Really?

Deeps.

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You're right, sorry. We were world class today. Grow up.

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28 Apr 2013 17:25:18
Time for Kagawa to come on for either Nani or Valencia

Mad Hatter

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What? Take a winger off and put a midfielder on? That's like blasphemy to fergie!

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28 Apr 2013 17:11:05
I can not help but think if Kagawa was playing how many times we would exploit the space when other players don't see it.

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28 Apr 2013 17:06:57
What are people huffing and puffing about? We are champions and we have been seriously on the alcohol and you all knew that, you did not expect us too come flying out the traps did you? Nani is in the shop window so we have played him in a strong team and Rooney as per usual this season has been non existent.

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28 Apr 2013 16:48:47
Think we have been seriously on the piss this week.

A

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Some seriously poor passing out there. Wasteful headers. We could be five up now.

Sydney!

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28 Apr 2013 16:44:33
What the hell was Sagna doing? We could have scored four this half. Playing in 1st gear and still could have scored four goals.

Sydney!

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Scored four? both of jones's headers we're poor and Van persie was unlucky apart from that we haven't done anything.

Arsenal have been playing better than us for the first 35 min.

JK92

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JK92, can you count? 2x Jones headers, RvP header & the penalty equals FOUR ;)

Sydney!

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I'll rephrase it, apart from the goal. we have't done much to warrant a 4 goal lead.

JK92

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JK92, have to agree, but whether we warranted a four goal lead or not, we had three great headed chances.

Second half we had a Rooney header and Giggs one on one. We could have had plenty today mate.

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28 Apr 2013 16:44:27
Lewandowski seems like a certainty now, Sir Alex wouldn't speak so openly about a well known target if it wasn't in the bag in my opinion. I would be delighted with a summer of Lewandowski, Strootman, Zaha, Zouma and possibly someone like Luke Shaw as a long-term replacement for Evra.

GRD

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28 Apr 2013 16:41:25
It's 4 against 5 in the middle and you can tell
Jred

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It does not help that Nani and Valencia are non existent.

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I think nani is just watching the game
Jred

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28 Apr 2013 16:35:02
Fergie has come out today and admitted they are interested in Lewy, he's coming to OT:-)

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28 Apr 2013 16:33:02
To say we're champions it's been a pathetic performance so far.

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That's why we have probably been so pathetic. It is probably a lot of effort for very little reward, we have nothing left to play for this year.

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28 Apr 2013 16:13:52
Stupid team selection. Why is nani starting. Arsenal play a strong midfield and we play two in midfield. Stupid selection. Why isn't Kagawa starting?
NoMidfield

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28 Apr 2013 15:41:59
Really gutted Kagawa isn't playing, our football always seems more entertaining when he's on.
Sulei

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Completely agree.

Mad Hatter

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28 Apr 2013 14:44:22
got a feeling that arsenal will win today 2-1.

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It's unknown how much we will be up for it today having already won the league.

Sydney!

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No Names often get a feeling on this page that Manchester United will lose.

CnM

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How did that flag not go up? The linesman was right next to Walcott. Very odd.

Sydney!

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It's pretty obviously which team is playing for their lives and which team is uninterested. Good time to play us. I still wouldn't be surprised to see us give them a good game even in 1st gear.

Sydney!

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28 Apr 2013 13:29:11
Looking forward to the midfield battle today, Arsenal always like to play between the lines through their midfield, hoping we play Kags in a central position somewhere (number 10 or one of midfield 3) and after display against Westham will be surprised if he doesn't continue in there.

Also expecting Tony V to play again, looked like he was returning to form last time out. we often try to use width against the gooners.

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Is Carrick injured? I wouldn't be surprised to see Nani & Anderson involved if fit.

Sydney!

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Fergy said Carrick played injured against west ham

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Carrick plays, as does Nani. I thought Nani may play today. Shop window time methinks.

Sydney!

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If he carries on playing like this we would be better without him in the shop window!

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28 Apr 2013 13:27:04
Scholes to stay on next season.

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Scholes will be part of the coaching team next season. Perhaps Fletcher too.

Sydney!

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It's usually helpful to read the article. SAF has stated that Scholes has not decided if he will continue playing, but he will be at the club next year as a player or coach depending on his decision. So basically nothing new.

Danny Pughnited

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28 Apr 2013 12:14:11
I've heard newcastle want lindegaard. Assuming they stay up of course! Anyone else hear this?

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I fancy Fulham may be interested in him to replace Schwarzer.

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28 Apr 2013 13:47:49
Fulham have no money though. Their losing a lot of players in the summer though. Could be possible. {Ed002's Note - Fulham are looking to Stekelenburg.}

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28 Apr 2013 11:06:21
Not really a rumour but I will like to know what u guys are thinking of our formation against arsenal today. I will go with
De gea
Ferdinand. Vidic
Rafael. Buttner
Jones. Cleverley
Rooney
Nani. Van persie. Kagawa

I predict 3 : 1 victory in our favour. What do u guys think? Eds, syd and reds. Together we will always stand. Manchester United for life. Thanks

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No Carrick?

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Carrick is the first one on the teamsheet under SAF

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Carrick received a knock Monday night

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Carrick injured no?

CAIN

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I think it will be:

De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Buttner, Valencia, Jones, Cleverly, Kagawa, Rooney, RVP.

Welbeck is also in contention for a starting spot I would imagine though. Maybe over Rooney.

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28 Apr 2013 10:43:44
For all of sir alex ferguson's faults; falling out with great players and shipping them out for poor returns, playing players out of position, over reliance on aging legends, poor modern tactical awareness, employing yes men as number two and not seeing value in the transfer market he is alright at picking up title.

Who would put money on SAF eventually winning three times as many league titles as Sir Matt Busby?

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28 Apr 2013 12:23:06
So basically you don't rate the boss then? The thing is spending 25 years in one job your going to make mistakes. No one is perfect. He's got more right than wrong. Compare his record to some of his contemporaries. Busby would have achieved more but for circumstance. But given the length of time, backing, increased cash flow, and the rebuilding of the academy once that first title was landed fergie was always going to overtake busby.

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Yeah, superb. But when he comes against the best European teams, coaches, tactics, what happens?

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28 Apr 2013 19:58:59
Of course I rate the boss.

Article below talks about how phenomenal it is that one man has equalled Arsenals total of 13 league titles.

I will go easy on the irony, it doesn't always fly.

http://guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/apr/27/manchester-united-sir-alex-ferguson

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28 Apr 2013 10:29:24
What do people make of the SAF quotes in the Sunday Mirror article? The quotes about RvP being good for the younger players because he lives the right way and trains the right way. Is that a dig at Rooney? Or a way of saying RvP hasn't just replaced Rooney as the main striker, but also as the player the younger players now look up to? Interesting. A lot of the papers this morning are saying Lewandowski to sign and Rooney sold or moving to midfield. I still think it may be difficult to sell Rooney as others can see he has lost his explosive pace, but will the club be working hard with him preseason getting him used to playing midfield. They did the same with Cleverley in preseason 2011. They worked on techniques about releasing the ball quickly and finding space quickly. If Rooney is to play midfield then he needs to be quicker on the ball.

Sydney!

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Or maybe you have a Rooney obsession you sound a bit paranoid mate

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Earlier in the season there was the debate of playing Rooney in midfield and I was against it, however having watched him since then I think it may be the best option if he is not sold. If we sign Lewandowski we will have two players who at the moment are better forwards than Rooney. As good as we have seen Rooney play in the past I don't think he will reach that level again as a forward.

Kagawa seems to be adapting and going forward I'd say he should play as the most advanced of a midfield 3. On current form in preferred positions, Rooney doesn't get in the starting 11 however, as a central midfielder he would get in the team partnering Carrick. In addition to this it would hopefully give us a central midfielder who can contribute goals which we haven't had in a few years.

Rjmanutd

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No name the issues with Rooney are there for all to see. all except you evidently.

TK-Red

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Was he maybe just talking about robin

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28 Apr 2013 12:28:37
Syd I think you have been spot on with rooney. You said a year ago what papers are saying now. I think he will be sold, if theirs no takes he will play midfeild.

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Fergie gave a big hint today that we are close to signing Lew (I. e. that he doesn't think Lew will be moving to Bayern). If we sign a top class striker that means Rooney will not be playing in our attack.

Rooney has done well for the club and has been a very important player for us for a long time. But, does anyone here honestly think that Rooney is worth £12m a year for the next 4-5 years as a cm? He's looking for the level of wages that the best midfield players in the world would be lucky to be earning, and we have to ask is Rooney up there with the best. As a striker he is excellent, but SAF may no longer see him as good enough to start in this role. As a cm I think we can do far better for far cheaper and with far less ego and fitness problems.

Danny Pughnited

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28 apr 2013 12:41:00
i think that robin can have the same effect on the young players coming through as eric did twenty years ago. i think this is what fergie means. regards rooney if he's not sold then he needs to turn up to training on the first day in shape and at the proper weight. we won't be able to spend half a season trying to get him in shape next season. nor should we have to. i don't think fergie was having a direct dig, but it is open to interpretation. if we do sign lewandowski then it puts him at risk. i still don't see him as a centre mid. the stoke and villa games were flattering. their both struggling sides. it might work against them but would anyone have wanted to try it against any of the teams in the champions league semi's? my biggest fear would be we don't spend on a midfielder or two and instead make do with a converted rooney and jones. mre

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Rooney has been good for utd over the years but this season something doesn't seem right, his disregard for turning up fit and his body language. add to that his omission from the starting line up for our biggest game of the season plus being subbed against west ham and villa. I don't think he suits midfield, yes he, s hit a few on a sixpence long passes, but in the last 2 games his short passing has been terrible and he's virtually underhit most passes. our midfield needs class and consistancy not occasional brilliance.
johndenton

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I would not be surprised to see Rooney sold, as I have said on numerous occasions, but I think it could be difficult finding a suitor where all parties are happy. So midfield may well be the only option for WR next season.

I think SAF is being clever, he has shown Rooney this season that he is no longer essential (whilst winning the league). By doing this it give United the ball in their court so to speak. Negotiations were always going to take place now.

I think SAF is saying to WR (and this is just my opinion) Accept an offer from another club this summer or play midfield for the next two season's of your contract. Or perhaps he is saying you are no longer essential so take a paycut and play midfield for us?

Sydney!

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I said earlier in the season I think SAF has been using RvP's impressive form to have digs at Rooney to try and spur him into top form. I remember him emphasizing after a good performance with RvP & Hernandez up front how good a partnership they looked - another little reminder to Rooney I thought at the time. We all know SAF is the king of motivational tactics, I think he's been trying to motivate Wayne all season - even by dropping him at times to show him he needs to step it up.

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I remember reading about how giggs, both Neville's, scholes, neckband etc used to stay after training and practice set pieces and shooting because it was what Eric would do.

This doesn't surprise me. RvP was made to be a United player

Adz

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28 Apr 2013 10:18:00
I believe we will only bring in two players in the summer.

Kevin Stootman 20m
James Rodreguez 27m

With Anderson/Nani/Macheda/Bebe all seeing the door

Expect Powell Henrequez and M Keane to get Prem loans

Richmond

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28 Apr 2013 10:15:17
Now that the season is over I was just wondering what team people would like see played today. I reckon Smalling, Buttner, Cleverley, and Nani will all get game time today as long as they are all fit so I would like to see
..................De Gea
Rafael...Smalling/Jones...Vidic...Buttner
.............Carrick...Cleverley
Nani............Rooney........Kagawa
....................RVP
With Hernandez, Anderson and Welbeck getting a run out. I think that would help us with our preparations for next season as that is a young and fast team.
The Red Manc

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SAF has already stated thayt he expects Rio and Vidic to play and Jones will play in midfield so I suggest you have another go at your selection
ARB

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I hadn't seen his comments regarding the teams selection. Then push Jones forward into midfield to replace either of Carrick or Cleverley preferably the latter but we may see Carrick being rested as wasn't there reports he picked up a slight knock in the last game and bring Rio into the back line to partner Vidic
The Red Manc

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28 Apr 2013 09:18:24
What I love about Liverpool is that they never ever learn. Hanibal Lecter takes a chunk out of someone's arm. The whole of the football world is disgusted by what he has done. Do Liverpool apologise and accept that he is a sub standard low life excuse for a human being who has already been punished for racially abusing a fellow professional this season. No they defend him and when he is given a 10 game ban by the FA for his actions they then come out and moan and moan about it. What does the scouse loving tv do about it. They drag out every ex Liverpool player they can find like Fowler or the embarrasing Aldridge to bleat on about setting presedences. Then they wonder why people see them as a self pity city. For god's sake remember who you are and what Bill Shankly built and show a tiny little bit of class rather than some moaning whining self pitying persons spitting at the TV claiming everyone is picking on you. As for Brendan Rodgers you are the gift that just keeps on giving. I hope you are there for 25 years, for you are surely the most deluded person ever to manage a football team. In a completely meaningless game yesterday that most of the players were treating as a friendly already thinking of the beach they win 6-0 and Brendan is trying to book an open top bus for a drive round the city. That is when you wake up and think thank god I support United

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Liverpool have been whining that Suarez needs rehabilitation. Well when they bought him surely they should have done a better character check. He had the incident of totally unsporting behaviour for his country against Ghana then revelling in it and had notably bitten someone in the Dutch league. It should have triggered alarm bells and at least they should have been using a psychologist at the beginning to assess his behavioural characteristics.
Top player but has issues, there again many have issues but don't bite people. He may want to leave but even though he is a very good player will clubs be concerned at paying huge fees for someone with a character flaw? His recent indiscretion may have notably affected his sell on value which is one of the reasons Liverpool have defended him. It has put his club in a very difficult position but also psychologically Liverpool, without realising, may have actually pushed him to the door. This is because by claiming he is being wrongly persecuted he now believes the English authorities are biased against him and he therefore feels he has to leave. Liverpool have done this twice with him and that feeling may grow with the supposed injustice his own club have filled him full of. They may have kicked themselves in the foot by trying to show their support for him.
Liverpool are a great club with great traditions and I have more respect for them than the new oil money clubs but the recent handling of the Suarez situatins displays a lack of leadership at their club in my humble opinion. Rodgers stance was similar to Dalglish previously and the owners may not take kindly to that either.

Red Man

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Lets be honest Red Man, buying Suarez in January and with everyone knowing he is a plonker, it was a great time for Liverpool to sign him. Had it been the summer he would have had many better offers than Liverpool and wouldn't be a Liverpool player now.

Liverpool knew what they were buying, but knew that a player of his quality without problems was not achievable for them. Liverpool will be a team that has to go for the scraps for now on. The players that no one else wants for whatever reason.

Sydney!

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Agree with both of you. If Rooney had done that, united would have banned him before the fa did anything. Then the press would have all come out and told us what a low life he is. More importantly, our club would have set the ball in motion as they did when cantona decided to play kung fu with the fan.
But Liverpool seem to think they've been hard done by?! Hard done by when Suarez decides to racially abuse another player, hard done by when he decides to take a chunk out of someone's arm for no reason, hard done by when he dives all over the place and gets booked for simulation. Ashley young stupidly dived last season, and the whole of the united fans, management and players told him to stop.
As Red man says, Liverpool are a great club with great traditions, in the 70's and 80's, I used to watch them with envy at the structure and decent behavior of all the players and management. They had principles and they never shifted. Alas, in this day and age, that all seems to have gone down the pan. Kloot is right, They should wake up and think of the spirit of shankly and paisley, because these two would never have stood for any of the antics coming out of that club at present.
Nomidfield

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Hes no leaving we wants to pay back liverpool he said, which translates into no club with an ounce of class wants the low life bag, didn't see the game or the post match interview but I can guess the words were sum where along the lines of how he can't fault the players, they were terrific blah blah blah same s*** he wheels out every week

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Nomidfield SAF said in an interview that liverpool were right not to ban him because the FA don't keep their word, he sited Cantona's ban where the FA agreed to let it drop if Utd banned him for 4 months but then went back on their word and gave him 8 months

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I was just going to say exactly what pardoe said. People really should try and listen to the press conference each week, it would clear up a lot of things that get said on here.

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Liverpool should have banned him for the remainder of the season (Four games). They never had anything left to play for and it would have looked good on their part. But again they have handled things amateurish and the club look plonkers once again.

Sydney!

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Is this liverpool banter site!!!

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Liverpool have very little to banter about ;)

Sydney!

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28 Apr 2013 03:14:25
What does everyone think of when a player's name is being read out before a match or during a substitution, the announcer calls out the players first name and the crowd roar his second name? They do it in Germany and I find it's a good way to improve the atmosphere.

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Don't Arsenal do it?

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28 Apr 2013 09:41:02
i like it. Does get the crowd going. Mort

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Anything that gets the prawn sandwich brigade going must be tried.
In saf last Monday, when we scored the second goal (goal of the season), some of the so called 'fans' around me, didn't even manage to get off their arses.
I think the whole pre match and half time entertainment should be changed. The announcer at united, seems to think that playing music at 5000 decibels is the way to get the crowd going! All that does, is shut the crowd up as they can't hear their own singing.
In the 70s we had a great atmosphere as the crowd were allowed to sing.
I think we should take a close look at the Dortmund crowd, all the flags, all the singing and interaction.
Getting some acoustic engineer is frankly embarrassing and useless, it is some of the fans who think coming to a football match is like going to a library, who should be more active.
Nomidfield

Nomidfield

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You'll never get the atmosphere back at old trafford i'm afraid to say. Too many daytrippers & too many of the hardcore following don't go anymore due to finances. Half the people who go probably couldn't even tell you we were called Newton Heath before UTD. We have the best away following the league as they are thr true fans
Blackpool Red

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My reservation is whether the roar for some would be louder or quieter than others. How would a player feel if their name was not shouted out loudly would it demotivate them?
I have posted on this subject before and the announcer is one of the problems. They switch the far too loud music off and just expect the crowd to sing. We need to get people in the ground earlier, set drinks prices more realistically serve them more efficiently so people are in place. Also better scoreboards with action and occasionally a singer pre game. I recall Russell Watson before the 99 spurs game and it upped the ante. We also need a signature song that gets the crowd to sing with. Then an announcer who understands how to get the crowd going and that it needs more than yelling platitudes

Red Man

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28 Apr 2013 02:21:38
I appreciate it doesn't give an answer one way or another but I found a list of the top 10 players never to play in a world cup. The list included the likes of Eric Cantona, Duncan Edwards, George Best, Di Stefano, Ian Rush and Bernd Schuster.

Ryan Giggs was number 3 in that list behind Bestie and Di Stefano. Just thought I'd put it out there.

Old Bill

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