29 Dec 2012 23:50:29
Robin Van Persie on the bench on a rainy day in Old Trafford. Ferguson explains 'The boy could have drowned'.
Ha ha, tickled me this one.
Dishforth Red.
Manchester United Banter Archive December 29 2012
Use our rumours form to send us manchester united transfer rumours.
29 Dec 2012 23:39:03
We should sign bale. Looks so much like a young giggs.
Caolán. {Ed004's Note - He is changing my opinion every game he plays.... I used to think all he had was pace but he seems to be improving on his positioning and technique. His biggest improvement for me is his versatility, he no longer needs to just stay on the byline and run down it and whip in a cross, he is capable of mixing it up and can play anywhere in the front 4 of a 4231.. He is also decent defensively and we know SAF rates him as a good player.}
The lad is class. If we're going to stick to pacey, out and out wingers (as opposed to a more technical LAM) then we couldn't do much better than Bale. Would cost loads though!
Gav
Perfect replacement for Giggs, being Welsh is just a coincidence,
-JakeW
Very first time commenting about bale..
Always avoided discussion..
But i believe in todays sugardaddy era.. If everynext is worth 25m he surely is worth 35m+
He is somebody with that fear factor.
Looking at our current need we must have him.
But i kno its hard with levy nd tottenham spcl whn madrid is interested.
Rodio17
29 Dec 2012 23:31:46
Vidic back for a couple of games
finally a clean sheet
its no coincidence, and he will only get better
as will our defensive performances.
Baines for evra would be nice also
will red
29 Dec 2012 23:09:06
would'nt mind walcott for nani, walcott is the best player in premier. {Ed004's Note - MOTD fever and an extreme case of it}
Just called emergency services, they will be with you shortly!
Hang in there!
-JakeW
29 Dec 2012 23:01:54
"Nani's contract isn't up until the end of next season – and we need him.
"He offers something different from the other players we have. He's got an incredible talent, but, unfortunately, he's been injured.
"We have sent Nani over to Dubai for a break in the hope that it will help him with his recovery.
"I don't think we will have him back until the middle of January. He's never had a hamstring injury before and this is a bad one.
"But Nani has got a future here. Why would I want to let him go?"fergy
that for you percy
jred
Where did you get this from?
-JakeW
I believe he got it from The Mirror.
What it really means is we have no takers for him and as i had posted a month back we are stuck with him.
Shahram
29 Dec 2012 22:23:33
A lot of people on here seem to believe were gona replace nani with zaha. Am i the only 1 who thinks this is a bad idea? yes nani is inconsistent but surely you can't compare a championship player who is as inconsistent to nani who can be world class at times?
I dont mind losing nani if we replace him with some1 on the same level or better.
Sulei
It is not a matter of replacing like for like... Zaha has the ability to be top class and to be miles better than Nani.... Please remember Zaha's age!!
Ye he is only 20 years old but i remember when we got nani we tot he would turn out to be a world beater.
id rather get isco/rodriguez/eriksen/munian/schurle/draxler/fischer etc.
sulei
29 Dec 2012 20:32:50
What do people think of a January window with us bringing in Baines, Zaha and Zouma?
Unlikely.
29 Dec 2012 20:11:59
fergie after celtic keeper fraser forster after some fantastic performaces but will have to pay through the nose to get the keeper
29 Dec 2012 20:06:54
Sorry I know I am going to upset some of you little girls but i think the Brand completely played to my assessment of him today. Made some nice touches in the first half when we were all over them and one glorious pass that Welbeck should have put away but in the second half when it became tougher he became invisible which is why Fergie replaced him. As for Welbeck if he is a striker then I am a Dutch man he will never make it and now you know why Fergie is looking at strikers for the summer. He should have scored a bag full today. I will forgive Young for being so wasteful as he works hard to cover for mad Paddy who just doesn't believe in closing a winger down. Vidic was immense today and won everything. Smalling proved he is not a full back and got skinned too many times. Kagawa showed the Brand how to make possitive passes and for his first game back he was very impressive. RVP just rises above the averageness of the team by being almost unplayable. Don't worry about the brand girls I am sure you will be able to buy his aftershave soon or his own range of clothes. Do you remember Richardson when he had only played 12 games for us and buying himself a Bentley. Roy said he should concentrate on getting some games under his belt. Roy is not often wrong about players I wonder what he thinks about the Brand. I AM KLOOT
Kloot - I completely agree about Welbeck, as much as I want him to succeed he simply will not... He is not a top teams striker no matter how hard he tries... I also agree with you about Cleverley, he looks good at times and does some good things but the majority of the time he is non existent or spraying a wayward pass. Smalling is a top class centre back but a very average full back but he was only covering due to injuries... Vidic was class no doubt about it....Kagawa looked impressive as ever he just needs more positive players to pass to...
Agree with you about Wellbeck. Cleverley is still a ? For me long term. Before he got injured last season he looked like a top player with Anderson alongside him. Perhaps given a role to be a play maker as opposed to the role he plays now may see more attacking side of Cleverley. He appears to protect our defense like a holding midfielder so as to speak. I think he can make it but I don't like it when Fergie plays players out of position. He has had a lot of transfer windows to sort out the DM position.
Mad Hatter
Roy Keane has said on numerous occasions that Cleverley is a quality player. Oops, you messed up there mate.
Sydney!
Surprise surprise kloot didn't think cleverley played well despite the fact he was brilliant throughout the first half. The whole team struggled in the 2nd half on a boggy pitch and no wonder he needed to come off as he was knackered.
Funny how the person who wants the glazers out also slags off the united players that came through the youth system.
Would you rather we bought a team of superstars or bring through young lads and give them a chance kloot?
GDS
Sometimes I think you just seek attention.
Clearly you haven't been to specsavers recently, and nor do you have a footballing brain. Cleverley played brilliantly today, and you clearly just have something against the guy because you pick on stupid little lies half the time. Its come to a point where im sure most of us here don't care what you think about him every game because its so predictable, even if he scores 8 goals and 19 assists in a game.
Also, I AM KLOOT.. be a man, a true fan and show some respect. 'The Brand' is not funny and neither does it prove a point. Have some respect for the kid, he puts on the shirt and gives it his all when selected. The least he deserves is him addressed by his name.
29 Dec 2012 21:41:43
And that was when it all kicked off. Defo gonna watch this one.
Stoner
Although I have to say I was surprised by Keane's comments on Cleverley as he usually cannot wait to have a swipe at United just to wind SAF up ;)
Sydney!
Why single out Cleverly? I wonder! He played well 1st half as did many of our players. As a team we were poor 2nd half. You seem to have a vendetta for some reason.
Gav
Well if kean said his good he must be
Cleverley is a rare talent and will develop into a world class player. Your comments about him KLOOT are disrespectful, sad and pathetic.
PerthDave
30 Dec 2012 00:11:56
See what I mean Sydney!, Perthdave has totally blown you out of the water!
Stoner
30 Dec 2012 00:20:25
Disrespectful and sad
what pleasure do u get from watching united, all you want is players you dont like(many of) to play poorly and even if they play well you try your hardest to try find negatives.
Think you might be a wind up and actually a scouse fan or something
bored of your posts
will red
Why do you hate the lad, let him be and grow into the player he can be. He hasn't even played a full year for us and you have such a negative opinion. Let's see what he develops into in 2 or 3 years
I said it yesterday and I will say it again today. KLOOT uses exactly the same lines to criticise Cleverley as he does to praise Carrick I.E. He is neat, tidy, keeps the play moving, doesn't do any fancy work but does the dirty work. Well what do you suggest we do KLOOT? Sell Cleverley and stick with Carrick until he is 38? Or perhaps we keep Cleverley and buy someone to compliment him and/or play him alongside someone more attacking such as Kagawa? Just because you use opening sentences such as "I know I am going to upset you little girls" does not mean you have any more valid opinion. I don't know whether Cleverley stole your lunch money as a kid but you need to drop this unhealthy agenda with him and look at the job he does for the team rather than the job you think he SHOULD do. You're no better than the Carrick haters.
TK-Red
Cleverley played very well in 1st half. sometimes he runs with the ball too much instead of making the simple pass. So he wastes his energy. I think he will learn from this and become more efficient. Once he does that, he'll be a top player.
Welbeck is a worry though, he seems to have gone backwards, but again, he is a young player and needs time to develop.
NoMidfield
Hi Grandma Kloot,
When was the last time you visited an optician ? Its not the rose-tinted spectacles it your basic eyesight. Happens with age...
Little Girl
29 Dec 2012 19:50:30
Kagawa played some good passes today including the ball for Youngs deflected goal, but I don't know what it is, might be midfielders around him that don't move forward a lot. At Dortmund, he had Gotze, Gundogan, and other mobile midfielders that allowed Kagawa to feed balls to them, but here when he gets the ball, most of the time his back is towards goal and he is passing backwards, not always, but I think he needs to run forward with the ball. We as a team are not always passing to him and are always passing to Young and Valencia. We need to stop using the wingers because Kagawa is not really getting involved in our play as much. SAF has said before that Kagawa musn't have his back to goal and should be facing goal. If players would pass to him then he wouldn't have to track back and receive the ball. But, he may need to time to settle in again after his injury. However, he is a cracking player but still needs to improve parts of his game.
MUFC19
The problem is that Kagawa always wants to pass forwards but we as a team always go sideways to the wingers. We need to accommodate Kagawa buy playing more central and not playing on the touchline constantly but we can not do that with Valencia and Young in the team we need players like Rodriguez, Goetze, Ozil who roam around like the Chelsea formation with Hazard, Oscar and Mata.
29 Dec 2012 19:40:58
I just want to see Buttner given one game on the left wing and Young on the right so Valencia can be rested as he has been worse than shocking all season..Maybe the next game would be suitable.
Valencia is clearly playing with an injury so that shows that we are lacking a winger. So common sense would show us that the manager will need to buy a winger this January if Nani is sold, otherwise we are short. I have a sneaky feeling we may well go for Zaha.
Sydney!
Syd - I have been monitoring Zaha closely this season and I have to say that boy has bags of talent, he is rapid, skilful, tall, direct and can finish...I hope that if we do get him in the january window we do not let him stay at palace for the rest of the season... hopefully we can make a deal with Macheda or someone like that going there for the rest of the season.
29 Dec 2012 19:27:19
I was impressed with West Brom, very organised
We played some good football for more than half of the first half. It was pretty obvious the grass was longer than usual, the pitch heavy. It was also obvious that our usual ploy of getting the ball wide would leave Young and Valencia a lot to do as the ball stuck in the turf. We didn't use the angles enough putting balls inside their fullbacks with the ball slowing before the dead ball line. We had energy in midfield which worked for the first half but we didn't take the opportunities which left us vulnerable.
I felt before the game that Welbeck and Kagawa left us short on goal scoring. Welbeck just doesn't look dangerous around the goal. In midfield we had enough control in the first half but that changed in the second. Ferguson claimed it was tiredness and a heavy pitch but there was more to it than just that. Cleverley didn't support Carrick anywhere near enough. If it was just a heavy pitch as Ferguson claims why then was the very much younger Cleverley the one who had to come off? Surely he should have had more energy but he didn't, in fact we lost midfield in the second half and the answer at home was to go to three centre halves and Valencia at right back. Did it not occur to our manager that this is a midfield problem?
One thing we do have is RVP, what quality, he immediately made a difference, holding the ball, turning with it. Carrick also gave everything and again had a really good game. Smalling looked a little uncertain at times particularly against the pace of Odemwingie, Evans made three or four howlers before seeming to get a better grip.
The result was in doubt until the quality RVP waved his magic wand of a left foot at the same moment the 4th official put the board up. If he stays fit we will likely score more than the opposition , but the lessons and message are still clear from today, quality matters, we need to take our chances and midfield is the key to the control of a game.
There was notable relief when RVP hit that shot but credit to West Brom, a good well organised side.
Red Man
In the 2nd half WBA packed their midfield and outnumbered Carrick and Cleverley 2-1. We usually have Rooney dropping deep to help out but he didn't play. We were missing that sturdy defensive midfielder that would have allowed Carrick and Cleverley to have more freedom. We were outnumbered in midfield and the manager didn't have the personnel to do anything about it.
Sydney!
Sydney did you not say further down the page this was our strongest team apart from rvp {Ed004's Note - I thought he said strongest available team taking into consideration the injury problems etc...}
29 Dec 2012 19:14:47
Theo Walcott is just like Andy Cole.... Great for his club but shocking at International level. Maybe he woudnt be such a bad acquisition with cash for Nani.
29 Dec 2012 19:07:44
Today my man of the match was vidic, everything that came into the box h got his head on also thought welbeck worked so hard and foster made a superb save to dent him. Also kagawa was pleasing to see his one and two touch passing is a delight and his ball to young for the first goal was world class. Cleverly also had an excellent game.
Caolán.
I really think we should go for him, still young,
Wouldn't cost the world, knows RVP, English, scoring,
But and it's a big but.... Coz we won't play him up front so would he want to play wide....?
But I don't want nani to go there coz I think he would do well at arse....
BowlDonBowl
29 Dec 2012 18:43:30
anybody think valencia at right back and rafael at left back would be good
I do.
Sydney!
Since we play with a right footed left winger, I think its a necessity to play with a left footed Left back.
Lets take Young for example. When he cuts inside and drags his marker, he creates room for Evra to manage a cross on the flank. When you play with a right footed left back, that space will be left unexposed.
Now thats just seeing it from a tactical point of view.
Another perspective, which is much less complicated, Rafael is one of the most talented young defenders in the world, and playing him out of position for a sustained period of time will not do him much good.
Mick
I tend to agree with Mick, we have 2 natural LB's in our squad I don't think we should move one of our best performer's (Rafael) out of position.
Gav
29 Dec 2012 18:35:10
Anybody know the extent of Rafael's injury and when is he due back, he has been our second best player this year behind RVP
He will be fit for the Wigan game, SAF said, along with Jones.
Sydney mate i'd imagine if somebody suggested sticking a wheelie bin at left back instead of Evra you'd agree with it. i know i would- at least a wheelie bin wont go wandering!
BennyBlanco
29 Dec 2012 18:23:08
What do you make of the Fraser Forster rumour? I rate DDG but Forster is certainly a big imposing figure and has done a great job at Celtic. It would be a better balanced squad with him as competition for DDG
Kuala
So in other words a Lindegaard replacement?
Exactly. Not sold on Lindegaard at all.
Kuala
29 Dec 2012 17:54:27
Great win today, really does show that we have fantastic depth at the club as we can still get wins without players like Rooney as well as being able to not start the likes of RVP. The other pleasing factor was that we kept a clean sheet FINALLY.
Fresh!
29 Dec 2012 17:53:38
Van Persie changed the game for us. When I brought him and Scholes on they settled the game down.
"West Brom dominated in the second half and kept pumping the ball into our box. They did very well. The ball came in and we had to head it out, and we did that better than we have done all season." fergy
Expect Giggs and Scholes to get mentioned every time they play a part now. The manager is well aware of the fans unrest that they are playing til there age's. The game changed when RvP came on, I would agree with that.
Sydney!
Sydney
I agree, the manager has to justify his continued selection of the geriatrics and this disguises the fact he hasn't strengthened in that area
Red Man
Red Man, he's a very very stubborn man, even when he is getting reports back to him that masses of United fans are not happy with Scholes and Giggs playing til this age he still comes out and manipulates the situation. He needs to buy a midfielder and he knows it, but I still have my doubts that he will buy one this winter.
Sydney!
29 Dec 2012 20:31:14
will he buy one in the summer though or will we go into next season with only carrick and cleverley as the only good midfielders we have along with a constantly injured anderson, an ill fletcher and a past it scholes and giggs? We must have a signing or two this summer. And no shoving rooney back either, that isn't a solution.
I said it before, and i got slated: Fergie cant see this from a neutral perspective. Scholes and Giggs have been great servants for the club, and they bring a sense of familiarity to the ever changing lineups from Ferguson's point of view.
And at the age he is at, taking nothing away from how brilliant he is, he has a certain emotional attachement to those players, as he tries to hold on to the past.
Mick
He is delusional and talks absolute s..t when it comes to those 2 guys. The only thing that will change this constant state of averageness(2008 i reckon we should have nought) is we need to get an ass kicking in a big game with scholes and giggs playing and maybe then it will finally dawn on him or he needs to retire and the next manager will promptly retire 4 members of the current squad.
The worst thing about his views is we are seeing one top quality midfielder after another get signed by big european teams and then they are either too expensive or do not want to come.
Shahram
29 Dec 2012 17:37:35
I would be over the moon with a January of Baines and Zaha.... I have been following Zaha this season and boy does this guy have talent... he has electric pace, ridiculous strength and can finish so well..... maybe sign him and let him stay at Palace til the summer.
29 Dec 2012 17:23:06
hi ed
pls do u think we are signing anyone {Ed004's Note - I think we will sign maybe one player, at most two. However, I have no idea who they would/could be}
The boss has insinuated a young player, I think that this could be someone like Victor Fisher or Wilfried Zaha...
Fresh!
Fisher is extending his contract at ajax and has stated he does not want to leave and will not come. I actually agree with him as it would be a setback for his development. Under SAF fisher will get no first team opps and get sent down to reserves.
Shahram
29 Dec 2012 17:19:37
Gr8 win today, grinding out a result like that against a very competitive WBA without some of our big guns is always a confidence booster.Still concerned about the lack of imagination in midfield but hopefully having Kags back will sort that.
Traditionally we step it up in the second half of the season so looking forward to seeing the gear being stepped up any time now.Hopefully we start that against Wigan as we owe them a good hiding after last season!
Happy New Year all.
RedKen
29 Dec 2012 17:05:24
I AM KLOOT... I DARE you to say something about Cleverley's performance today? You'll probably find some stupid lie like he passed sideways 3.7 times and ran diagonally in an acute angle whilst his shoelaces were undone or something.
I'll expect a reply once you're 'back from the match' since you're such a true fan who gets behind the team.. and its *cough*.. players..
On a better note, the link up sharp play between Kagawa and Cleverley is brilliant. Hate to say it, glad we have them both but they would be amazing in a team like Swansea, Arsenal, Barca type of football they play. {Ed004's Note - There were a few passes from Cleverley today that were brilliant. The pass over the top for Welbeck who if his touch was better then he would have scored, his cross to the front post, his attempted pass Kagawa that was very good vision which nearly resulted in Kagawa being through on goal and the last one that springs to mind was a pass to Valencia that sent him away and the commentator didn't mention yet made notice of the scuffed cross that followed. Also the pitch wasnt a good one for someone who likes to pass and move the ball around}
Cleverley scuffed a couple today and lost the ball once or twice, but he is certainly being more positive in his play and will only improve. He may not be the answer to our midfield, but he is part of it. Kagawa looked sharp for being out for so long. Good result today and we are looking good going into 2013.
Sydney!
An over-hit simply ball at the end of the first half summed up Cleverley's afternoon: he huffed and puffed with plenty of industry but lacked the quality to dictate proceedings. His frustration at the performance was evident.An over-hit simply ball at the end of the first half summed up Cleverley's afternoon: he huffed and puffed with plenty of industry but lacked the quality to dictate proceedings. His frustration at the performance was evident.
No name,
Did you watch the match and read what the ed just said before that post? He was quality today and some of the passes he made were top drawer. I think that pass just before half time was the first that didnt go where we meant it to. He is looking better by the game and is keeping fit, exciting times.
GDS
I thought cleverly worked hard for very little. He's certainly not the answer but we have nothing else. Thought Valencia looked better at right back! Any one else think he should play there a bit more often until Rafael is back?
Nozzla
Syd i definitely think he's not the solution on his own but he's a large part of the solution. Get an energetic box to boxer in there that likes a tackle and its a step in the right direction. I'm not sure which of 433 or 4231 would be the best to go for, i can see us switching between the 2 depending on who we play. Mort
29 Dec 2012 17:02:24
Finally a clean sheet. Most pleasing part of the game
James
29 Dec 2012 17:01:21
Nani = Walcott & £'s
Apparently being mused by AFC & MUFC
would you do it?
Pedroknight
IMO we don't have one 'world class' wide man at present. If we do this swap we still won't. I'd rather replace Nani (assuming he goes) with someone who has at least the potential to become one of the best around. I realise this would cost more but I think the investment would be worth it.
Gav
No
Kuala
29 Dec 2012 17:01:03
Finally a clean sheet. It was about our defense today. Vidic and Evans played very well.
29 Dec 2012 16:43:41
I'm not a united fan but please can you tell me why theys are going after lewandowski? You lot probably have the best strike force in the world. Why not a midfielder?
Why not both?
Sydney!
Lol, I think half of us agree TBH! The other half may be willing for one of our current forwards to leave to make room for him. Not me personally, as I think he's too similar to RVP but not as good. I feel we have a good mix of options as we are.
Gav
Most likely as rooney will make a move to midfield on a more permanent basis and it makes sense to replace him with someone with serious quality
You can never have to many goal scorers ;) Nah i think one of our strikers will be leaving, another thing springs to mind is Welbeck going on loan?
Or is Rooney being put in midfield?
We will all find out in the summer wont we.
-JakeW
"Or is Rooney being put in midfield?"
I really hope not as he loses possession too often and is clumbsy defensively. He's a no. 10 for me all day long.
Gav
29 Dec 2012 16:38:35
no big name signings to come in january.
Big name signings is subjective. For example would Baines, Strootman, Vadillo or Zaha be classed as big names?
Sydney!
Baines is'nt good enough and zaha is overated {Ed004's Note - Don't understand how you can say arguably the best defender in the league so far who has been solid defensively and offered more than all our wingers in attack so far this season isn't 'good enough'.}
A big name signing is someone like RVP, Rodriguez someone who is know around the world.
Sydney is right, someone like Baines or Strootman wouldn't be classed as a big name signing would it.
-JakeW
Venegoor of Hesselink would be a big name signing!
Ports
Baines is clearly good enough
Gav
Terrible definition JakeW. I know plenty of people who have no idea who Rodriguez is, yet I personally class him as a big name player.
29 Dec 2012 16:36:53
Its pretty obvious that Valencia is struggling for any sort of form so why not put Young on the right and Buttner on the left for the last few minutes.
29 Dec 2012 16:24:21
We seriously need some livening up... Subs look needed maybe Buttner for Valencia and swap with Young to go on the left and then Chicharito for Welbeck to go up top.
29 Dec 2012 15:56:37
I am liking the way the team is playing, we have had some really nice link up plays. I hope to see a few more goals scored with the possession we are having.
-JakeW
Where are you watching it.
No-name what were you watching? In the first half some of the passing between Cleverley, Young and Kagawa was fantastic.
West Brom have stepped up second half but you expect it from a team on their kind of form.
And VAN PERSIEEEE!!
-JakeW
Which game are you watching jakeyboy?
I almost thought we were playing at the hawthorns.
MUMBAI_BOY
We were clearly missing a RvP today. I think Welbeck needs to do better this season or he could be replaced by Lewandowski.
Sydney!
Mumbai, i posted this in the first half mate! We were playing some great football, we just didn't have a final product.
-JakeW
Jake, im pretty sure no name was just asking where you are watching it. I suppose he is just asking for a streaming link.
Mick
Oh I didn't realize Mick, haha! I have this handy USB device which only cost me a tenner which has worldwide channels on it, i was lucky enough to get a connection to ESPN 2.
Worth a try when it's not British tv.
-JakeW
29 Dec 2012 15:35:31
Having all the possession in the world but where are the goals gonna come from? Surely Chicharito should of started ahead of Welbeck.
29 Dec 2012 15:09:53
Kagawa and young looking sharp!
Caolán.
Kags has hardly touched the ball
No name,
You watch the game?
GDS
29 Dec 2012 14:50:18
Confirmed line up:
___________De Gea
Smalling__Evans__Vidic__Evra
Valencia__Carrick__Clevs__Young
___________Kagawa
___________Welbeck
Delighted to see Kagawa back and the partnership of Cleverly & Carrick. Good to see the faith being kept with De Gea too. Should be a good game, I think we may have to bring on Hernandez/RVP or both because not sure where the goals will come from . . . no disrespect to Welbeck.
Fresh!
29 Dec 2012 14:43:20
I really wanted to see this team today..
__________DDG
Small__Vidic___Evans__Evra
____Carrick____Clevs______
Young_____RVP_____Kagawa
________Chicharito________
Can't play RVP every match,
Kai
29 Dec 2012 14:41:26
Really liking the fact that Welbeck and Kagawa start, lets hope we see some magic, and if we struggle to get a goal we have RVP and Hernandez to come of the bench.
Great to see De Gea given another chance although his mistakes from his last game.
Also happy to see Evans partner Vidic at the back.
Good line-up lets hope we can bag another 3 points!
-JakeW
29 Dec 2012 14:39:36
How does this look for next season? Quite plausible if you believe the press:
---------------De Gea
Rafael---Smalling----Vidic---Baines
---------Carrick----Strootman
--Kagawa-----Rooney-----Ronaldo
----------------RVP
Subs: Lindegaard, Jones, Cleverly, Valencia, Powell, Lewandowski, Hernandez.
To me, that would be awesome. You can say that we don't need Lewandowski, but RVP will be pushing 30 soon and he has had injury problems in the past - why not sign his replacement now? Lewy is world class and can only get better at 23 years of age.
Would only cost £150 million and Nike would help with Ronaldo as well as the sales of Nani, Evra, perhaps Welbeck... {Ed004's Note - Only 150 million....}
£150 million? isn't too much is it...
Mate i like your imagination but no way will that happen.
-JakeW
I would much rather see a summer of Rodriguez, L.Bender, Baines, Strootman and Zouma.
29 Dec 2012 14:32:59
Hello all,
Just thinking about all these rumours about Ronaldo leaving Madrid, does anyone really think there's a possibility of re-signing him? Don't get me wrong who wouldn't want him if he were available, However we're obviously talking about what, £100m? so this this hypothetical obviously because I couldn't see it ever happen myself BUT... Hummels, Ogbonna, Baines, Strootman, Wanyama, Bender, Isco, Rodriguez and Lewandowski.. we could get any 4 of them for that sort of money and probably with the combined wage of what is rumoured Ronaldo is looking for! this is a little optimistic and fantastical (is that even a word?) but given the choice I wouldn't even have to think about it I'd rather have 4 top players than Ronaldo back any day!
Great site, love all your work and the banter,
Cheers,
Flash.
Its plausible.
Fresh!
Fantastical is indeed a word! I'm with you Flash, I'd rather invest in 2 or 3 world classs players than pay that kind of money for Ronaldo.
AJH {Ed004's Note - I reckon you could raise 30-40 million from sales of players to sign Witsel and Baines and then sign Ronaldo with all the transfer budget and you would have a top team}
At the end of the season Ronaldo will have 2 years left on his contract ( ? ), so if he wants to come back and he makes a transfer request, 80 mils would get us cristiano. If not we can wait till the summer of 2014 where he will have 1 year left on his contract, and get him for around 40 mils.
But in order to be able to get him for this knd of money, he will have to request a transfer.
As for the salary, Nike would probably benefit from Ronaldo guetting back to united so they might be willing to pay a chunck of his wage ( 10- 20 % realistically ). Now that leaves us with around 270 gs to pay per week. So financially, if the Glazers are not holding us back, his salary is perfectly affordable for a club who would be on top of both european and English football, and a club that supposedly has the world s biggest fan base.
So it all comes down to him beeing willing to come back, and to the manager feeling that Ronaldo is worth all the money we will be paying given his age ( 29-30 at the time ).
Mick
Personally I wouldn't mind selling nani welbeck and cleverly (I know this will upset some people) and give evra away PLEASE! Ed who do you think will leave next summer? and seriously what was Witsel thinking moving to Russia!? I'm sure it was just about the money but I bet It's opened his eyes to the fact that money really can't buy you happiness, I'm guessing really... I don't have any money :(
Thanks,
Flash.
29 Dec 2012 14:30:19
line up...
De Gea; Smalling, Vidic, Evans, Evra;Valenia, Carrick, Cleverley, Young; Kagawa; Welbeck
JK92
29 Dec 2012 14:29:17
i want to see this line up
de gea
rafael/smalling vidic evans/smalling evra
valencia carrick cleverley young
kagawa
RVP
29 Dec 2012 14:28:53
Is anyone watching the Spurs game? If so how easy does Bale do down.... Another booking for diving, there should be punishment of a one game ban when a player gets booked for diving..... It is silly. How does a 6ft man go down like a sack spuds falling flat on his face when there is next to no contact.
Well the speed he runs at can mean the smallest knock could knock him down, that was not a dive IMO he made contact and fell to the ground.
His previous bookings though were dives and therefore there should be a punishment for being booked more than once for diving.
-JakeW
29 Dec 2012 14:22:29
Van Persie benched but Kagawa back in the starting line up...... Fergie is taking a huge risk against a team that I think may cause an upset today with Lukaku, Long etc they will cause problems
29 Dec 2012 14:21:40
De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Crrick, Cleverley, Young, Kagawa, Welbeck
Subs: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Giggs, Hernandez, Van Persie, Scholes, Buttner.
jred
29 Dec 2012 14:12:47
Kagawa's back, Van persie on the bench. Welbeck starts.
MUFC XI: De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Cleverely, Young, KAGAWA! :D, Welbeck.
I really think we are going to struggle today...Where are the goals coming from (NOT Bambi)..... I think Fergie is really under estimating the Baggies... I fully expect us to concede a few today.
No name, Welbeck is actually playing as the main striker today so I would expect him to get a couple. RvP is one booking away from a ban.
Sydney!
No name, why has he underestimated WBA? This is our strongest possible line-up bar RvP.
Sydney!
29 Dec 2012 14:08:32
Few questions guys,
1) kagawa is he back today a few of my mates told me he is?
2) kurt zouma came to the derby any more news on him
3) how reliable are the lewandoski rumours?
Caolán.
29 Dec 2012 13:33:14
Anyone know of a good stream for the game? If it passes inspection that is..
Patzi
I use wiziwig.tv when the games aren't on TV, just download the sopcast or watch one of the flash links like nutjob.
JK92
The website is Ronaldo7.net
If it didnt pass the inspection just search ronaldo 7 and you will find some really nice links for online games, including MU matches.
Mick
Firstrowsports is always quality for me..... I watch lots of football on there.
Bloodzeed hq sopcast
29 Dec 2012 12:52:54
Anyone just been watching the Sly Sports News build up to the game today. Unbelievable!
Phil Thompson is clearly so biased against Fergy it is untrue! Cannot believe some of his comments.
Charlie Nicholos thinks Utd need to buy a keeper in Jan, then they started showing clips of Foster!? Apparently the crowd are on DDG's back and he is under massive pressure?!
DodgyBanter
I am ;-)
No in all honesty I just think we should be seeing a better keeper than we are after 3 years in the two top leagues in the world. Others will disagree and point to his age but regardless of his age the manager has trust in him to develop but I think it's happening far too slowly.
Can we give him another 18 months-2 years to show if he can make it?
It will be a hell of a waste if he doesn't!
Jono
29 Dec 2012 13:23:10
yep and merson seriously suggested we should bring in shay given. The guys lost the plot again. But what do you expect from a panel full of abu's.
I absolutely detest Phil Thompson. I think it is an absolute joke this nonsense talking 'has been' gets to ruin my expensive viewing of soccer Saturday. I find that I rarely EVER agree with his views or analysis. Most of which I do agree with is massively in your face fact that a 2yr old can see.
I do take some comfort in remembering this man has managed Liverpool, it even raises a very cringe filled smile to my face, which is a an achievement I suppose lol
Patzi
Speaking of bias - YOU only mentioned Thompson commenting on McMoan when in actual fact they ALL did. and all the comments were anti-Mcbluster
By the way - does he have a carer provided by the club or does someone accompany him from The Shady Pines Home for the Bewildered?
Puzzled
You shouldn't watch that show i never do. 5 guys who dont know nothing about football. Its bad enough we have to bear nial quinn as commentator!
You shouldn't watch that show i never do. 5 guys who dont know nothing about football. Its bad enough we have to bear nial quinn as commentator!
Puzzled - The only reason anyone is getting on Fergie's back is because of who it is and it is their only ammunition and they love to hate him.... Pardew pushes a manager and an apology is enough yet Mike Dean has said in his report that fergie did no wrong yet silly Liverpool fans and haters of our great club try to make something of nothing..
29 Dec 2012 14:20:36
jono the point is there is clearly an anti united agenda here. If de gea played for chelsea or arsenal or liverpool would they be saying this? No. But as its united. The media have been doing their best for two seasons to try and destroy the kid. Stelling flat out lied with his the crowd are on his back comment. I've never heard anyone in the stands on his back. We all want him to succeed as we recognise the potential. Ok i get you don't rate the kid, fair enough thats your choice.
I don't think we need a new keepter at all, De Gea is coming on well. Just as a side note, Mignolet is becoming a very impressive keeper from the games I've seen this season, another good performance against Spurs today.
Fresh!
29 Dec 2012 12:41:37
Lewandowski is a very strong forward who is developing into world class striker, I think if he had 4 yrs on his contract he would be worth around £25-30 mil. We can get him for around £15m, very shrewd bit of business. Rooney will certainly drop back into an attacking midfielder position. This is definitely a sign of united narrowing their game with the option of wing play if needed. Lewandowski is perfect for tight central play as he can bully his way forward in straight runs.
I see no need to sell anyone, yet I would definitely sacrifice the much appreciated Welbeck, or even Hernandez (very reluctantly).... If this RUMOUR were to blossom.
Then we would only need 1 central defender (Hummels my own personal preference) and a defensive midfielder (Wanyama maybe)..
Patzi
29 Dec 2012 12:34:05
I watched the 'Mourinho' documentary last night, as I had it recorded. Must say it was a great insight into the man.
He has never been my 1st choice for the United job because I've doubted whether he'd look to utilise our youngster's and build a team for the future. He also has a dubious record of being punished for misdemeanours which may not sit well with some at our club.
However, I must admit my opinion has been swayed slightly having watched the docu. Why? Because if there's any one manager out there who could step straight into SAF's boots, with a similar swagger, it's this man. He's a born winner, that's all he cares about. Sound similar to someone? He also looks to use the media and his charisma to motivate his players against the world. Again, sounds similar to our current manager?
The only worry that still remains with me, is would he just overlook our academy in the search for instant success? That, I can't be sure about.
My 1st choice for next manager has always been Klopp as I think he'd look to build something special for the future. And I think I'll stick to that for now. But I'm also coming round to the idea of Mourinho as I can only imagine him winning things with us. Ideally he'd stick around for 4/5 years with someone like OGS given a chance to work beneath him.
So for me 1) Klopp 2) Mourinho - no other applicants need apply ; )
Gav
I like mourinho n he could definately step straight in.my only concern with him would be whether he'd stick around long!
Klopp for me but would he want to leave what hes building at dortmund?
BABY FACED ASSASIN
Agree re Klopp. Never heard of a Portuguese winner! They peaked in the 14th century.
Aesop
I'm glad to hear other's like Klopp too. He's done an immense job at Dortmund and built a very good squad. I'd love to see what he could do at United with a bigger budget.
Gav
29 Dec 2012 12:14:40
There's only one red team in the North-West and we've won it five times!
RedsMatt
Zzzzzz, including the year you only played 4 teams? This was at a time when Villa and Forest also won it. Not exactly the same as today's competition is it? Anyhow, you keep clinging to past glories mate, 23 years this year since you won the league, I think it will be over 30 before you get a sniff.
AJH
Yeah, that's right.
The EPL no longer counts.
Neither does the Champs League anymore.
You only count the Years and Cups Liverpool have won in their now distant past.
Brilliant post! Great Banter.
DodgyBanter
Half term report: Lacks quality and must try harder. That goes for your team AND your banter. Now go away.
TK-Red
29 Dec 2012 11:56:42
lescott 8mill good deal yes or no
No
AJH
29 Dec 2012 11:44:25
Hi Guys
Well I think my heart has just about recovered from the Newcastle game and there is a part of me that thinks the lad will put us through the ringer again today.I think we will win but W.B.A. are no mugs and have some quality.
That said I've been saying for a few weeks now that we are going to hammer someone soon and I'd love it to be today.This could be another key day in the league as both City and Chelsea have difficult looking away matches.
I saw Fergies press conference yesterday and I loved it.All those people on here that are saying he should go and he's lost his passion, dream on.IMO he is the best there has ever been and ever will be.I know he will have to stand down one day and when he does we will realise just what this man means to Manchester United.
I know there will be people ready to jump down my throat and if there is bring it on.This is just my opinion and I am just as entitled to view it as those that want Fergie to go.
The one thing we all do have in common is that we love United and that will never change.
Bazza The Red
I think United will hammer a lot of teams, if they can pull it together defensivley. We are scoring a lot of goals this season!
Regarding your opinions about Fergie; I think no (real) fan wants him gone. It´s natural to disagree with some of his team selection (me included), cause we all (most of us) wants the youngsters to get a try-out, and not the old guard of Giggs and Scholes. We can all see the lack of pace and movement when one or both of them are playing in midfield. He is the greatest, and as long as we live, we will never see a greater manager at one club again.
Steffen
29 Dec 2012 11:18:16
The Reds have been linked with a whole host of names in the media but the boss will only add to his squad if the right young player with potential becomes available.
"Don't hold your breath waiting for Manchester United to jump through the transfer window when it opens next week!" he wrote in his exclusive United Review programme column. "If you believed everything you read in the media, we would have the biggest squad in Europe, not to mention becoming bankrupt!
"It's been open season to link us with a stack of players, admittedly some very good ones, but it just isn't going to happen.
"You can never say never in football because you don't know who might become available but, speaking generally, I am not looking to do any serious transfer business in January. I don't have to because I am more than satisfied with the players I have in my squad, a group as good as any I have had in my time at Old Trafford.
"So we won't be dashing around in a panic. Of course, as always, we will be on the lookout for young players of potential who we can develop.
"We have always done that and it's the main reason why we never have to buy out of desperation. We always work for the future as well as trying our best to produce winning teams for the present. Clearly serious injuries can upset your plans and force you to go out for a replacement but, by and large, I think we are well covered to cope with the normal absence of players."
I think SAF is looking for a young player with potential and won't be doing serious business in January. Who could it be? Zaha? Strootman? Wanyama?
Sorry for the copy and paste and long post!
MUFC19
Is Strootman young enough at 22 to be classed in this category? I hope so, because he'd be the one I'd want in January.
I've not seen loads of him in honesty but he seems to have the skills/attributes to fit into our CM. A bit of an all rounder, as opposed to a DM or AM.
I think he could slot in alongside Carrick or partner Cleverly in future. Would certainly be good for sqaud rotation during the 2nd half of this season. I realise he's not the 'ready made world class CM'er' that we've craved for but I'm starting to think SAF will never get one of those!
Gav
29 Dec 2012 11:09:08
I can't give you an update on the injuries as it's only two days on from Wednesday and there were issues with a soft, tiring pitch, " Sir Alex said at his press conference. "We need to assess players like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs as I think, at their age, it took a lot out of them.
"We're hoping maybe Young will be ready and Daniel Welbeck should be ready. He was ill on Tuesday night but I think he should be okay. At least that's a couple of bodies back fresh for us. We'll just assess the rest in terms of tiredness.
"All the players are key now as we're picking up one or two injuries. Rooney is out for at least another two games. He was a bit better yesterday. We're going to assess Phil Jones but I don't think he'll be ready."
R u sir alex how do u know all this I would say u just guessing
29 Dec 2012 10:49:50
It seems the knives are out for our manager but has he really done much wrong? I am a critic of his but right now there are a lot of bandwagon jumpers and United haters taking the opportunity to vent hatred.
I felt his initial discussion with the referee depended on what he actually said, if he was asking for an explanation or expressing an opinion in reasonable language and the referee did not feel it went over the top as he did then this was a non story. However the knives are always out for Ferguson so in jumps the press to stir it up. Pardew is hardly innocent, he already has a ban for pushing an official, significantly more serious than anything Ferguson has ever done. Wenger shouts, waves his arms around the officials in every game yet never attracts the same outcry. So it was farcical in the extreme that Fergusons chief managerial critics were Pardew and Wenger. What has rankled our manager is that someone he obviously helped, Pardew has in effect stabbed him in the back and for that Pardew deserved a riposte.
Where I feel Ferguson has let us down is his comment on Newcastle, they are not a wee club but a big proud one. No they are not major, yet they didn't deserve that comment, but their manager did.
This has given every non United fan the chance to criticise both our manager and our club, stirred further by a press that crave these headlines. Whilst I disagree with our manager on the Newcastle comment it is without doubt he will use the ridiculous organised over reaction to circle the wagons, create the siege mentality he loves. So the more the opposition display their hatred the more it plays into Fergusons hands.
At the same time several other managers made comments that were far worse, One allegedly referring to excess Christmas dinner, not dissimilar to Fergusons unfit comments which rightly received significant criticism. So these other comments deserved more significant press time yet they are more focused on their main target, bringing down the manager of united. However they merely play into his hands, after all it has always felt like everyone was against us. I leave for the match shortly and I worry about his team selection and his occasional utterance like the Newcastle one but I know the wagons are being circled for the big push and no one does that better than Ferguson
Red Man
Agree with you totally. The only thing SAF did that was unnecessary IMO was the "wee club" comment. His problem should have been with Pardew, not the whole club. Still, we all love a pantimime don't we! And as you say, SAF will look to use this to his advantage in motivating the sqaud, as always.
Gav
29 Dec 2012 12:29:04
i think he was spot on, they are a wee club. What have they ever won? They have pretensions of being a big club but they aren't. They are not even a major club. Their fans come out with o we get gates of 50k fans so that makes us big. No it doesn't. Their a one club town, there's no other show in town so of course they get that many fans. Doesn't make them big. Their extravagant spending almost bankrupted them. Couple of years ago that massive club was back in the old division two.
Good post Red Man, spot on!
Open season for the ABU's but SAF loves it when its us Vs the rest n will no doubt use it to get us kicking on
BABY FACED ASSASIN
Noname. I'm not saying they're a massive club, just that personally I don't think there was need to comment about the club at all. SAF had already slated Pardew TBF and that's who his problem was with, not Newcastle. There are many "wee clubs" out there but that doesn't mean we should be identifying them in press conferences. Like I sad though, we all enjoy the pantomime, whether we agree with the comments or not.
Gav
And who is that playing widow McT****ey?
Puzzled
Ed pity you chose to asterisk out some of the letters to a well known pantomime character - this way it will look as though I have used obscene language - something I never do
Puzzled
29 Dec 2012 09:49:08
i think if we brought someone like strootman in along with moutinho and bains the team would be great
29 Dec 2012 09:18:17
I'm starting to get a bit scared before the madrid clash.
Domestic form is unimportant when it comes to these games. Look at Schalke and Chelsea in previous seasons their domestic form was erratic then.
Add to it the presence of Ronaldo.
As per reports he's not liking it at Madrid anymore. And I feel against us he'll score 3-4 goals in the 2 legs. He would want to remind us & SAF what we are missing. We could very see him defending more than he usually does.
Their defence is worser than us, our midfield is worser than theirs, we are better at set-pieces, we have RVP, world class striker, they have out of form higuain & benzema.
I fear Ronaldo would be the difference in the tie. I could also see him play on the right exploiting Evra. I wish we sign Baines and a decent enough CM who is as injury-free as our Carrick is.
Rahn
29 Dec 2012 08:03:40
This could be a pivotal day for us. With us winning and both chelsea and city have tough away fixtures and the possibility of a further gap in points will be demoralizing for the chasing pack.
I hope the manager does not mess around with the starting lineup and puts out a good team.
Shahram
29 Dec 2012 06:36:01
I would love to have peoples opinion on center back situation.
My guessing is in the summer prices of this players are very high.
How many do u see as proved nd class?
Lets see hw many teams need 1 straight in 1st 11..
Manchester united.
Manchester city
Chelsea
Barcelona
Real madrid
Ac milan ( if they cn afford)
Arent they enough to rocket high the price. All selling club knows this.
Ferdinand. Terry. Puyol. Are almost gone past there best days.
City need experienced nd big name partner with kompany.
Real probably needs two in center considering there performance this year..
Pls share ur thoughts lads.. Pls eds also.
Name a few option nd likely destination if any1 moves
Rodio17
29 Dec 2012 00:06:57
If Arsenal want Nani and came in for him..... What do you guys reckon of a part deal of £10 million and Walcott??
Nani is worth 20 million atleast, and especially to Arsenal we should be selling for a higher price, Walcott is a no no. Don't want him.
-JakeW
I dont want him either it was purely a question..... I would only want Cazorla, Wilshere or Ox if we had any of their players and none of them are gonna happen.
If Arsenal want him I would sell and put the funds to LB, CM or a quality replacement. Can't see the Gooners stumping up for his wages though.
Kuala
I'd sell him for 20m plus bonuses.
We owe that much to Arsenal for RVP.
And arsenal could do very well with a player who is always shooting at goal and selfish. They have too much unselfish, they need a selfish one.
Rahn!
We should get as much as possible and use it for a better quality winger. The papers are back on the Leighton Baines story again so perhaps it will fund that.
AJH
28 Dec 2012 23:37:07
Fergie must stop degrading our fine club with his outdated antics and try to act in a more dignified manner. He let us all down on Saturday and looked on tv like an old person you see on a Saturday night after a few pints heading home to the old trouble and strife. A knight of the realm , give me a break. He must be relieved of his job asap as the pressure is showing. Get Jose in now before his gasket blows
What? Shussssssssssssh!
The man loves the club
You feel so strongly yet you won't leave a name on a post? You sound like a bitter Liverpool fan more than anything.
I think most united fans feel that today fergie handled himself correctly, and the headlines I see on sky are to do with fergie and nothing to do with the team, exactly how he wants it. He is the master at mind games and has obviously got you with this one exactly how he wants you, hook line and sinker.
He did nothing wrong on Wednesday, when I saw it I couldn't work out whether I had missed something what with all the talk about it. He spoke to the ref before the game kicked off 2nd half, and the ref didn't give us anything we shouldn't have had in the 2nd half so not like he was affected by what fergie did.
GDS
Yes because Mourinho would never do anything contraversial.....
Gav
Whilst I think fergie acted despicably on wednesday, I dont agree the OP. "relieved of his job?" dont be ridiculous, a little punishment sure, but try not to be quite so reactionary, or scouse
Jaxer
The man is the soul of the club for past 26 yrs
Show some respect u anonymous person