07 Aug 2013 18:39:31
Glossing over all of the usual (and yes deserved) fawning over SAF's achievements I am growing even more irritated with the mess that SAF's ego has created.

His announcement (lie) about Rooney handing in a second transfer request has made the change of management anything bar as simple (on a scale leading towards difficult) as it could have been.

What on earth was he thinking? That comment has potentially cost United the player, a larger transfer fee, an unsettled squad and an advantage to our nearest rivals.

That one stupid, yet most probably pre-planned comment has caused untold damage, and for all of SAF's efforts to ensure a smooth transition took place he has instead screwed it up with one of his final interviews as manager. It was nothing short of self-indulgent and served only his own interests as he looked to settle the one outstanding "score" before he left.

A legend of a manager, its such a shame it ended like this. The question is would he have said the same thing if he wasn't retiring?

1.) 07 Aug 2013
So you don't think Rooney may well have said well if I'm not playing against (Insert name here) I may as well leave?

It was plain to see he was playing crap and his professionalism had gone out the window. To me I feel sure he knew this situation that Rooney is maneuvering his way out and SAF would sooner set it in motion rather than leave all the blame to fall on Moyes shoulders

SAF has never shirked rooting out a rotting apple and Rooney is that apple. SAF leaves as he started doing the best for the club

2.) 07 Aug 2013
If Jose got the United job, would there still be an issue with Rooney? I think not. I think Moyes's appointment as manager ended Rooney's playing days at United. I could be wrong; but his silence says everything IMO.

As for SAF, I think the guy left Moyes with a few headaches. The CM issue should have been sorted before Moyes took over IMO.

SLred

3.) 07 Aug 2013
Timbo

I have said previously that SAF may have believed at that point that he had Lewandowski lined up and having bought Kagawa he, SAF, would no longer need Rooney. I also said before that it was a revelation SAF did not need to make, nor should he have made it. We can all see the utter disruption already caused.
It may be too late now but it is a test of Moyes and Mr "no retooling" Woodward and let's hope they improve on efforts made so far right across the board

4.) 07 Aug 2013
Totally agree with you a legend but legend with a massive ego and who always had to have the last word, should have gone quietly and said nowt, he really has left a messy situation
BIGAL REDFOREVER

5.) 07 Aug 2013
If Rooney signs for Chelsea we can kiss the league goodbye already, they'll win it by a country mile

6.) 07 Aug 2013
Don't forget the glazers ownership of utd is in no smallpart down to sir Alex. He managed to annoy McManus and magnier over the rock of gibraltar's stud rights. They bought Manchester United shares to put pressure on fergie. Once fergie dropped his legal challenge they dumped the shares/ sold to the glazers as they never wanted the shares in the first place and voila the yanks had a foothold to buy the club with debt. Thanks fergie. You won many trophies, but damaged the club. Just think who we could buy without the interest cost of the debt.

7.) 07 Aug 2013
Timbo, you are spot on. I've said before that the conversation saf and Rooney had was private and should have remained so.
Saf knew what he was doing and he has made the transition as bad as it could be. The team is unsettled, Rooney is unhappy, the fans are unhappy. And I think incoming players are unsure after seeing this mess.
Most importantly, mourinho is sat there laughing his head off, and we're about to hand him one of our best players on a plate, and with it, the league title.
We all respect saf but this episode was totally avoidable, and has left a bad taste.
Nomidfield

8.) 07 Aug 2013
I've been saying this for a while - although think it's quite brazen to call it a lie. I'm very much of the opinion that Rooney probably did (albeit out of hand) say something along the lines of 'if you're not going to play me - then why am I here?'. Perhaps he even outright asked to leave.

The fact is though that it was a private conversation - and SAF was out of order to both Moyes and Rooney to announce it on live television.

He's probably one of the best managers of all time - but has cost us a fair few players for less than they were worth due to his ego. Beckham, RVN, Stam and Rooney being the big ones.

redseven

9.) 07 Aug 2013
No name, in the past we could have bought several top players for the money wasted on debt interest, but debt interest is around £21m a year now so it isn't as much as one would think. That should drop to around £10m within a couple of year's time.

Also, SAF having a disagreement with M and M doesn't mean that's why they sold up. They could have sold the shares regardless.

Sydney!

10.) 07 Aug 2013
Well said timbo you forgot to mention SAF always said glazers was best owners we could have had and they would have been if they had loaded my wallet as well, i'm 57 and need the money but if I was fergusons age with the wealth he had I would have told the truth

11.) 07 Aug 2013
Listen guys, IMO Moyes is a mini Fergie, he is their as Fergies replacement, chosen directly by Fergie. They are mates? Are you seriously telling me they haven't had a conversation of how the Rooney situation would be handled? We are United for Gods sake, nothing is left to chance with public comments, Fergie telling the press about Rooneys transfer request was done on purpose and Moyes would have known about t before hand. Let's not be too Naive, we might not like it, and yeah, in our opinion, they might balls it up now and thn, but ultimately, Fegie was a master at mind games and unfortunately we are not privy to the reasons why or to what purpose. Frustrating that it s.
Sorry, not ranting just fed up with FIFA dreaming!
Antman

12.) 07 Aug 2013
I think there was more behind the Roony statement than just a sound bite-but he did seem to have an 'enough is enough I'm not covering up for Roony and his ego any more' kind of look (if that kind of look exists!maybe a poll Ed?). Just think he outed Roony for what has been going on for probably the last few years.

13.) 08 Aug 2013
Sydney, the did not sell the shares because of the disagreement, they started buying the shares because of the disagreement specifically to put pressure on fergie. They have openly said they wanted to show him who was boss. It might only be £21m in interest cost now, but that will still add up until the debt is cleared. Adding to the interest cost how much have the glazers had out of the club? What has the total cost been?