Manchester United Banter Archive March 10 2013

 

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10 Mar 2013 22:00:37
Why is Valencia still there? Same old same old - in the bag but subs far too late - well done he who shall be obeyyed

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He used to have one foot to cross with, now even that's gone. Sell.

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10 Mar 2013 21:48:36
By the way - who are you selling in the summer - is it
Rooney or Van Persie?

Puzzled

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Both obviously

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10 Mar 2013 23:02:22
Fergie will boot RVP if he doesn't score in the next 3 games.

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Fool!

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After watching the LFC game. Oh how I wish we could sign Suarez. Ahead of both these players. & I would even give up Evra too.

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'even' give up Vera - I thought everyone had given up on him as it is

Puzzled

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10 Mar 2013 21:41:35
There were two ways we could go, one, seething with a sense of severe injustice we would blast Chelsea out of the way. Two, weighed down with pressure we would show our mental exhaustion.
The first half we put some effort in and created some decent opportunities. However the second half was a horror show particularly in midfield. We had no control of midfield at all but what was very concerning was the hot potato that was the ball, no one wanted it. Frankly Cleverley put a very good case forward as to why he is not the answer in midfield, his passing and decision making was not just poor but utterly shocking. I see Valencia has taken some stick and he didn't play particularly well but watch it again. He gets the ball on the right and I watched the other players not making themselves available at all leaving Valencia to beat two men or look incompetent. That does not excuse his poor performance but we did not support each other in the midfield area of the pitch. Evra was absent too often and at the back brushed off with ease but the problem was a lack of midfield control. Kagawa has good ball retention but we cannot seriously play him in the way we did today.
Our substitutions were a joke, could no one on our management team see that Cleverley was woefully out of his depth? Could no one see how deep we dropped or how much space was afforded the Chelsea attacking midfield players? It appears that meticulous planning is fine but when a change is needed we are lost and can't think on our feet.
That was a classic loss of momentum at a moment when we can least afford it. It is a time when someone needs to stand up in midfield and control games but we don't have that player. More games like today and it won't be a 12 point gap, the next two league games just became a whole lot bigger and the key element is going to be playing for each other and playing as a team, competing in key areas something we utterly failed at today.
The lack of recognition of the problem is a real concern but at least we have a replay because we were so close to going out and I think that going out, after Tuesday, would have probably cost us the league as well.

We need to regain momentum and quickly.

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I thought I was signed in when posting this
Red Man

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10 Mar 2013 21:34:36
today's performance showed exactly what we need in midfield. Carrick is great, he really is. Maybe not Scholes/ Pirlo great, but he is a quality player nonetheless. But unfortunatly, apart from Carrick, we don't have a decent midfiielder, end of.

Cleverley lacks the natural talent to go on and reach great heights but I do think he will keep improving with time. What he lacks in ability he makes up for it in hard work. But he is a squad player, and should not be starting as often as he does.

Anderson has all the talent in the world, but he is not hard working enough to make it. He can't keep his weight in check and he is constently injured.

Fletcher and Scholes' days are numbered, as are ryan giggs'. While Nick Powell is talented, he is more comfortable in front of goal than he is on the halfway line. And in the u21s, we are not seeing too many players with the ablity to hold down a place in the starting 11 just yet.

So imo we need 2 central midfielders. An energetic, all action box to box and a deep lying playmaker.

The first player I think we will buy is Strootman. He has the engine to play box to box, and also the passing range to be a deep lying playmaker ( he can also play as a number 10 when needed ). He has extremly good defensive positioning whenever the team loses the ball, and that allows him to make a load of important tackles of interceptions and he likes to run at opposing teams pushing them back. He can take a game by the scruff of the neck. Exactly what we needed tonight.

The second player is one only Bundesliga followers would know about. He is Hamburg's Milan Badelj. Atm he is probably the bundesliga' s best midfielder. And with the likes of Bender (s), Schweinsteiger, Martinez. that is saying something. His passing is Scholesesque ( averaging 7 long passes per game ) while his tackling is not. He averages about 4 tackles and 4 interceptions per game while his dribbling is exquisite ( over 2, 5 dribbles per game ). I would say he is a younger, better version of Cabaye. He turned 24 a couple of weeks ago, and looks ready to take a leap and join a big club. I see him replacing Carrick over time.

While I also think we need a winger who can cover both flanks, as i'm not sure Zaha is ready just yet. Valencia has been having his poorest season to date, while Young is frankly average at best and Nani is still his inconsistent self. If those 3 don't pick up some sort of form, I would gladly see their backs.

My choice for winger would be Goetze. While I like the idea of Bale/ Ronaldo here, I can only see it is if Wayne Rooney is leaving. Goetze might also be difficult to get ( since we bought Kagawa, and we're probably going to end up having Lewandowski and Dortmund might not be too keen on selling another one of their stars ). Isco has been lighting up the champions league, but truth be told he is average in La Liga, while Muniain has been struggling for form this season. My second choice would be Lamela, but i'm really worried he might not be able to settle. He's not the fastest or the hardest working player, and might dislike having defensive duties. Rodriguez seems the likeliest, but for over 30 million euros, he's not worth it i'm afaid. i'd love to see Anderson going to Porto in a cash+ player transfer for Rodriguez.

We also seem to be needing a left back. My first choice would be Porto's Alex Sandro, but his price might be too high, while Southampton's Shaw would be a great transfer ( age and money wise ), maybe also send them a player on a season long loan? Maybe Henriquez and/or Michael Keane {Ed004's Note - Fantastic post and I will keep an eye out for badelj in the future}

Believable9 Unbelievable0

Good read, I agree with everything you wrote! Havent seen Milan Badelj play though, but sounds exciting. {Ed002's Note - Badelj won't be moving this summer. Milan Badelj was looked at by Liverpool, Lazio, Spurs and Palermo whilst at Dinamo Zagreb and chose to move to Hamburg over offers from both Locomotiv Moscow and Fiorentina.}

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Must play a lot of fifa

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Well since Carrick has at least 2 years as a starter in him, we wouldn't need Badelj atm. I still hope we go for him this summer because on this season's form, a lot of big clubs should be in for him! Maybe next winter/ summer would be more likely. But Stootman ( or any similar player ) is a must. And cheers Ed004, you'll be pleasently surprised by him. {Ed004's Note - Unfortunately Ed 2 says he is unlikely. Just think about how good a summer of Shaw/Baines, Strootman, Rodriguez and Lewamdowksi could be. All those signings look very likely and the only way that could be improved is by adding another winger such as Gotze who is a fantastic player}

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Well we would only need 1 new winger with one of the current ones leaving. I do think Zaha will be a pleasant surprise for many next season. And with Kagawa and Welbeck both needing games on the wing, and hopefully Januzaj on the fringes of the first team, we only need one top class winger. My pick would be Goetze who is atm better than Rodriguez, but I do think Rodriguez will go on to become a world class player too. I would also rather have Shaw, who, at just 17, is holding his own against the premiership's best wingers.

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10 Mar 2013 21:24:44
Play like that a few more times and we're in serious danger of finishing th season empty-handed! We were shocking for 70mins, absolutely clueless.
RedSince68

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What about if we play like we have for the last 20 games? We had a poor game today, chill out.

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10 Mar 2013 21:04:44
For all the talk of selling Nani, we need to get rid of Valencia. He has lost his pace and that's all he ever had. We were unbelievably poor and couldn't complete a simple pass, but Valencia stood out for me as someone who provided nothing at all. Saf had a poor match, and the team looked bored and uninterested. I really expected more. Clev was invisible. Ddg and carrick were class, the rest were far from it. -kg

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2-0 up when nani was on.
valencia comes on- 2-2


TRUMORS

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Great start, rubbish finish. Valencia awful, no pace, couldn't pass. Rooney poor, goal or not. Carrick classy as always. De Gea some great shot stopping. Rafael inconsistent. Nani as usual average at best. Need a dm or cm to win midfield and then allow Carrick to play. Cleverley not there yet.

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Cleverly not there yet? That raises a question: will he ever be?

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10 Mar 2013 20:36:22
Poor performance today thought ferdy had a good game the rest were average to bad.
No doubt all the usually suspects will get a hard time but imo it was quite simply a poor team performance
But that happens on a plus side we got away with it

Believable5 Unbelievable0

Feel sorry for de gea, people say he's making mistakes, been poor but how much does the team let him down? we let chelsea attack a lot today and if not for de gea and ferdinand, we'd probably have lost.

TRUMORS

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10 Mar 2013 20:23:47
Fatigue. �0�2is never an issue. No European team has played more games than Chelsea this season with a thinner squad than ours and some of their players away for AfCON. Come to think of it, we played at home on Tuesday while they played on Thursday in Romania and away to us today. They should be more fatigued than us. Mikel IMO is so underrated. He came on, bossed the midfield, made crucial tackles and gave their amigos the platform to operate. As much as I love Kagawa, but sorry he's not in the same class as Mata, Oscar and Hazard.
ManUp.

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Kagawa is in their class just needs some time to settle, just like mata did. He is also playing out of position.

Do Sparta Prague play their home games in Romania? All the other teams in the Czech league must get really annoyed at that!

It was just one of them games and hopefully we will get away with a lacklustre performance in the replay, left a tough task for ourselves now.

Isn't like people on this website to overreact to a poor performance though, it does make me laugh.

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Great to see ure not going overboard on 1 game
Chrs the REDman

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Considering you're always so cock-sure, GDS, you should've done your research before taking the mick out of the OP. I don't think I need to tell you where Bucharest is.

FHS

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Gds, we were not playing Prague, we were playing Bucharest.
And yes, they're in Romania.
You say kagawa needs to settle? He's been here the same time as hazard and Oscar.

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10 Mar 2013 22:15:33
U must have lost your memory completely or something. Mata hit the ground running from his first minute in England.

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GDS if my memory serves me right, Mata was came to england last season and was instantly Chelsea's best player. He still is. He's up there with your RVPs, suarezs and Bales as challenger for player of the season ( probably fourth imo ).

The player who took time to settle is Silva. His first season at manchester city was average and then he turned the world class switch on.

As for the difference between Oscar, Hazard and Kagawa, well, Hazard was thrown at the deep end the second he came in. He has been playing well if not spectacular but he is nowhere near the player he was expected by some to be, (terrorising defenses a scoring goals for fun ). As for Oscar, while he is supremly talented, he has not looked any different to Kagawa. He has not yet settled into the physicality and table tennis style of the premier league ( hence why he has played betterr in the CL )but he is guetting there.

As for Kagawa, in his first season in England, he had the misfortune of guetting injured. he has had a lot less games to adapt than Oscar and Hazard. He also has to contend with Wayne Rooney for a starting place, while their biggest contender is Moses.

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Haha I thought they played Sparta Prague, my bad if they played Bucharest, I don't follow the Europa league. It was just a little joke, not sure I was 'cock-sure' I like that though lol. Did they play Prague in the last round?

Mata was not their best player last season and took some time to bed in, some players bed in quicker than others, kagawa's talent is obvious for anyone to see.

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Just realised I got called a tool by a guy who wouldn't even leave his name! Ah match days on this website make me laugh. {Ed007's Note - That shouldn't have been posted GDS, sorry mate. We all know you aren't a tool, a$$hole or muppet maybe but not a tool. But seriously ugly-boy that shouldn't have been posted.}

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GDS

Mata was our best player last season and definitely hit the ground running. Scored in his PL, FA Cup & CL debut, so I don't know where your getting this stuff from. Also won our Player of the Year award mate. And yes, we played Sparta last round.

Melbourne CFC

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Melbourne,

I have had a mare on this post haven't I, everything I have said has been a load of rubbish! I hold my hands up, not been a good day.

Bond you dreamboat/sex machine/hunk of burning love (delete as appropriate ;)) I have been called much worse I assure you, cheers though :) and goodnight. {Ed007's Note - Goodnight buddy, take care.}

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10 Mar 2013 20:06:28
Crikey. On Tuesday we were good enough to win the Champions league but were undone by a dodgy decision. After today, we're useless apparently. Nothing like keeping perspectives their chaps. At least KLOOT is consistent with his view unlike some of the flip floppers who have appeared. We played badly today and were probably lucky not to lose. 2 early goals gave us an advantage but the vast majority of the team were well off the pace. It happens. Let's look forward to the replay.

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How many of the flippers though leave names?

I know people are disappointed after we threw away 2 goal lead, we should have pushed on for a 3rd and 4th. that's for the management staff to sort out.

Mort

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10 Mar 2013 19:46:37
Ok let's try and get some kind of positives out of what was quite frankly a spineless pathetic second half performance. Maybe we were getting carried away with our little Brazilian. Today he was given a lesson and maybe he will realise he has a lot to learn. He stood off Hazzard and allowed him far too much space. Surely there is not one person left alive on this planet who does not agree that we need some real quality in our midfield. Carrick does a great job but with no quality support. We have waited 6 years for Anderson to become the players he has shown us glimpses of and that is never going to happen as long as the Colonel has his shops open. Cleverley has proved that there is a little more to playing for United than having a celeb girlfriend and doing spreads in Hello. Chelsea's midfield were just better and that is that. I don't think the boss will sleep well tonight he will be furious and hopefully making some players have uneasy weeks as they play for their futures. Whatever we win at the end of the season big changes are needed. Somehow I don't think Ed Woodward will be so keen to open the purse strings but that is for the summer not now.

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Been saying for ages this midfield needs sorting out:
Ando-6yrs done nothing
The Brand- squad player at best
Fletch- Don't think we will see him again
Scholesy-Surely the end this time
Apart from Carrick we have nothing.

Red Daz

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'Ok let's try and get some kind of positives'.

You failed.

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Jones would have helped today in midfield, we need that physical presence.

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Don't forget we also have Nick Powell. I expect him to get some playing time towards the last fixtures of the epl, supposing we will have already won it.

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Red Daz

It's embarrassing how far you have your tongue up Kloot's ass. Whilst I agree with much of what he said, you should try and form your own opinion, and avoid simply writing down the exact same thing as Kloot.

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Bless ya red daz
Chris the REDman

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Daz, don't call him the brand. That is clearly derogatory. Its embarrassing to read it from Kloot, but people picking up on it and using it themselves. Spineless; to take another of Kloot's words.

And Kloot, I think we've all got a good idea of your attitude towards the club now. Great passion, and ever critical. I'd like to read one of your scathing assessments of another team/club/performance in the league. Entirely your choice, and I wouldn't want to rush one. But it would afford us a little perspective. So if you would?

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GDS I tried I really did but even you in all your Glazers are great hype would struggle to find possitives from today's performance. You will be keen to have two pay days from Wembley won't you?

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Red Daz, whilst I agree with your points, you called Cleverley by "the brand", therefore I must say you re a person.

You have to come up with your own nicknames, that's just how it works

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Kloot,

I wish mate, going to cost a fortune, worth every penny if we get through though I'm sure you agree!

Can't find many positives from today, Ferdinand was brilliant and the save from de gea, nothing more. I can feel your hatred towards me in your posts by the way, I hope you know I only reply to you as banter. Sometimes I think you actually think I work for the club!

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10 Mar 2013 19:37:14
I will be the first to say it as usual but todays game was about tactics and how Fergie did not react to the Fat Spanish Waiters changes. Everyone in the ground could see we were getting pinned back and our midfield was completely over run but he just changed Chicho for RVP and went like for like. He pushed Rooney out on the wing because quite frankly he was doing absolutely nothing in midfield and Fergie feared Taking him off would start a press frenzy.

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I agree, should have taken Rooney off and put Anderson in and had some bodies and fresh legs in teh middle of the pitch and told rafael and Evra to sit their ass in and not go forward after the first goal. Ramires and Matta created a lot of havoc and we had no answer for them. Lucky to have drawn the game.

Shahram

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10 Mar 2013 19:29:56
Do I need to say anything. They had the opportunity to put in a performance and put egg on my face. Instead they justified every word I have said against them. one bright light for you lot though. We might get to play someone like Blackburn in the final and then The Brand can carry water around the park as we win and everyone comes on here and says what a great player he is

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10 Mar 2013 19:25:03
Can someone please tell Evra that he is a defender first and a left winger when he can be and the tactics allow it. He is always caught out of position. Someone in our team surely must take responsibility and ensure the tactics are right. We were 2-0 up and we didn't need to be bombing forward and leaving gaps everywhere.
Valencia, I've said for a long time that he is overrated and only has one foot, well now, he has no feet, no pace, no tricks, nothing at all.
Cleverley has played better, there again we all know that we are desperate for two world class midfielders. Before I get abused, to say that its not football manager, we have two choices, we either play with the midfield we've got now and get results like today, or we go out and buy two top midfielders and start playing like Manchester united.
Nomidfield

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10 Mar 2013 19:20:28
A very tired performance today, totally second best after 20 mins. A few players did ok: DDG, Rio, Carrick, Chica and Nani weren't bad. The rest very average and Valencia and Cleverley just totally shocking.
I think the defeat to Real may have taken more out of them than we thought.
Very lucky to be in the draw and surprise surprise if we get through its City.
We are so weak in midfield it's untrue. Carrick must have amazing shoulders because he has carried that midfield all season and even he looked totally knackered in the 2nd half.
Im sorry I know Ronaldo or Bale would be great for the club but please Fergie sign us 1 or 2 top Central Midfilders. i'm so tired of saying this i'm starting to bore myself now!

Red Daz

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Amen.

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10 Mar 2013 19:12:04
Where was Anderson today? We could have used him today. Does anybody know when Jones is due back? That was the worst 2h performance of the year, 2 straight games subs from the opposition have had a major impact on the game. Also, shame that Nani had to leave he was really playing well, hope it's not to serious.

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10 Mar 2013 19:11:38
I m a big anderson fan. Every1 knows it how I was saying that he will be good while evry1 wanted to get him sold

Now I m saying that he should leave like pogba because prejudice people keep playing same guys however rubbish they perform. He will not get his chance and he should persue his career elsewhere

Rodio17

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Prejudice people? Not sure what you are getting at there.

Remember you don't see him in training all week, fergie does.

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Gds.
And yet again we will see same names. like jogging evra and wasteful cleverly.

Stop defending. And if u r so positive about fergies decisions give some genuine debate otherthan such.

He sees them because its his duty. not mine. I see performances. And tell truth rather being a person lover

Rodio17

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Yet you constantly slate Carrick eveb though he's carried the whole midfield for months.

Ando is probably injured yet again.

Prejuidiced lol.

Hypocrite?

Mort

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Wot on earth are u talking about
Chris the REDman

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Chris and Mort,

I'm glad it's not just me. Explain what you mean by prejudiced rodio? Did you mean to use a different word?

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Are you a big Anderson fan, or a fan of Big Anderson, the lardy arsed midfielder we sometimes play. I quite like him but he's never delivered in 6 years and I doubt he will start now.

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I do try and back any player in a red shirt, but I do feel that certain players have come to the end of their United career and need to go in the summer to make way for fresh blood whether its bought or promoted.

However to say Ando doesn't get a chance because of pejudice is one of the biggest pieces of shizz i've ever read on this site in something like 4 years. The guys been here for 6 years and has struggled in the last 5 because of constant inujury and fitness issues largely weight related. We cannot keep blindly giving the guy chance after chance to perform, getting a run of 4 games where he starts to look like world class potential only for him to get injured because the strain of actually playing 60-70 minutes twice a week is too much for him and then he's out injured for another month! Its taking up a place in the 25 man squad that could be put to better use.

There are othe rplayers as well who I feel should be shipped out but we have a replay to win and a league to win as well.

Mort

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Actually I think its the complete opposite. Anderson was bought 6 years ago for beeing extremly talented. 6 years later, and he still has not devellped into a good player. Why has he not been sold? well because, we once payed a lot of money for a talented player, so the prejudice is the fact that although he's rubbish, we've kept him for beeing talented.

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To be honest, I would have taken Anderson over Cleverley at any given day. His weight is an obvious problem. However, he has got so much more potential than Cleverley, and can be a real game-changer. Even though he has been here for 5-6 seasons he is still only 24, and has shown glimpses of his talent this season. Why SAF prefers Cleverley over Ando, I do not know, but I really hope that he will get a good run of games in the first-team, and that we will keep him for atleast 1 more season.

ZigZag

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Yes oh yes. I remember people were praising here week in week out before he got injured in december but since his return in jan he is not getting a look in. In name of imp fixtures.
I undstnd the game we played were imp but selection of cleverly over ando even if cleverly has played mid week and not fresh is beyond me.
I may see like u guys that he will be sold but I will say he should leave by himself

Rodio17

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Mort.
About carrick.
He has played well this season or say he is good among the lots we have doesn't make him great player.
I can't forget his worst performances by some good ones in recent months.
Werent u seeing how he suffocated when he is being pressed?

Never mind. We all have our point of view.

Rodio17 {Ed004's Note - What did Alonso do when he was pressed by Welbeck and Dortmund}

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Ed 004
Two points for u.
Alonso has khadira playing along side him to put his body online. Do carrick have any one?
How many times we have seen under presser alonso's pass fallen to a opposition player and it resulted in a goal?
I don't think alonso can be compared to carrick
He is better

Rodio17 {Ed004's Note - Exactly Alonso has protection beside him. Who does Carrick have? I don't watch Madrid enough to state how many mistakes Alonso makes but what was the most recent Carrick mistake? Only one I can remember this season is Newcastle but he made up for it with a 90th min assist for the winner}

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10 Mar 2013 18:53:25
Anybody still sticking to the excuse of having one leg an inch shorter than the other with regards to Valencia? I cannot believe how someone of his level of "skill" is even a professional footballer, let alone the guy with no. 7 on his back at Man Utd. That was pretty close to the being the worst performance I have ever seen by a footballer.

Players have got slated for a lot less. Cannot for the life of me understand what SAF sees in him to continually play him ahead of Young and, at times, Nani. We could stick De Gea on the right and watch better performances than we are seeing now.

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Totally agree with you not fit to wear the shirt aswell as cleverly he's crap

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Such a constructive post - not fit to wear the shirt, he's crap. Thanks for this valuable insight

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He had a poor game is having an aweful season however he was isolated and had no one to pass the ball to on so many occasions. I remember on one occasion he had 5 chelsea players around him and it begs the question where was our support play.

Shahram

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10 Mar 2013 18:50:52
Never seen a winger who gets in an area to cross the ball more than anyone in the premier league but can't cross. Nani's cross in to Chicha wear he flicked it over is something only Giggs can do young and valencia should be sold to fund an established winger and youth one.

Sulei

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10 Mar 2013 18:49:12
First 20 minutes, fantastic. The rest, woeful. Gave the ball away far too much, most notably Valencia (by far the worst player on the pitch), Cleverly careless.

The amount of times I saw Rooney sprinting back to play left back, highlighted Evra's defensive ability. He was no where to be seen when Ramirez scored! Fuming! Can not afford to squander 2-0 leads (especially at home)! Hats of to De Gea, making an brilliant save he should not have had to.

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10 Mar 2013 18:37:23
Every team has a wobble and this is our time to wobble. We've got a week to regroup and come back.
Shame that whenever opposition make subs, we don't seem to be able to adapt.
Chelsea fully deserved the draw. We've let this one go, Rooney missed a sitter when we were 2-0. We got complacent.
Saf has his work cut out with these lot, let's hope he can galvanize them for the game against Reading.
Nomidfield

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10 Mar 2013 18:35:06
What a shambolic 75 minutes! Valencia and cleverly must go this summer they are not good enough and feel these 2 cost us the most. I am baffled by the decision to take kagawa off instead of Rooney as he was shocking and kags looked better. One final rant - there is no way Rooney can get a wage rise in a new contract he should feel embarrassed to ask for one the way he's being playing for months!

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Surely not. Rooney is world class, he was the heartbeat of the team, he put a great shift in, he made things happen etc etc etc

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10 Mar 2013 18:30:59
I don't want to be negative, but that was the worst second half performance this season. I'm happy we got with the replay, because the way we played in the second half, Chelsea could've battered us. De Gea kept us in the cup when he saved that Mata chance. The game once again changed when Nani came off. I want the old Valencia back. We were sloppy and we sat too deep. We played awful, but it's okay, we have to keep moving forward and will have to get a result in the replay and hopefully get to the semi-final.

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10 Mar 2013 18:29:54
Today was pathetic, we turned up for twenty minutes and then thought we could stroll it.

Rooney summed up the attitude. Scored his goal and then didn't bother. Lazy passing, he desire to be first to the ball, and no point to him being on the pitch.

Cleverly is never first choice, not in a million years. Dominated for the entire second half.

Kagawa, not at the races again. But it is his first season, and he is not a winger.

Valencia must be in last chance saloon. This isn't even championship standard, first thought every time he gets the ball is to hold the ball up and look backwards, is this what an attacking player should be doing?

Finally, for all those saying that Evra is good enough for another season, this should show you why. Caught up field so many times, jogging back to position, is it any wonder that the second goal came from the left with an acre of space?

If this is the response to the champions league defeat, then SAF needs to be kicking some serious boots around the dressing room.

Danny Pughnited

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Well said. I m saying this for a long time. if we are loosing its always old prat evra or back passer and never tackler pussy cat carrick. Now add woeful valencia to this list who is a liability now.

Most importantly in cup games ( any) if we qant to win, we need fearless tacklers to break the play and if fergie is saying that he never use one. he is fooling himself

Rodio17

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Must have missed the tackles Carrick was putting in then.

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If we got rid of Carrick we'd be screwed he's quality, but he's in a two man midfield you can't have dead weights in a two man midfield

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10 Mar 2013 18:28:00
The last 60 minutes were quite simply the worst I have seen us play in a long time. So many individual errors. We were absolute garbage and Valencia is playing like a bag of rubbish. Chelsea also had a game in midweek so tiredness should not be an excuse. As happens all too often with us, we went 2 goals up and then got complacent. I don't know why he shunted Rooney out to the left as he was non existent at that point and would've been better off taking him off altogether. We were lucky to come away from that with a replay and SAF has some work to do to make sure our season doesn't fizzle out.

TK-Red

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Rooney and Chica although they got goals had a quite game but were very isolated with little support then welbeck and Rvp come on but you have the same problem.
Amazed Anderson didn't come on for clevs.
Very flat performance to be honest

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We played like that early in the year. Their midfield bossed the game and we definitely need some personal in the summer to beef up our midfield.

The team looked out of sorts and tired and poor in their support play and general spacing. We lacked composure and gave it back to them for the entire second half and made our life difficult.

Awful passing and poor game.

Unfortunately now we have to play at stamford bridge and got city in the semis if we get through.

Shahram

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Granted nobody was convincing today but Cleverley gave the ball away on so many occasions and was dominated in the second half. Personally I would've taken Cleverley and Rooney off for Anderson and Young just so we had some fresh legs in midfield. Those 2 can atleast bridge the gap between midfield and the strikers. There was really not much point in Rooney playing today. I know he scored but let's face it, he was fortunate, but for a man who was dropped for the biggest game of the season this week I would think he wanted to go out there and prove something but instead, when I watch him running around the pitch, I just think of FIFA13 when your player is knackered and you're desperate holding down the sprint button.

TK-Red

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10 Mar 2013 18:27:30
Cleverley rubbish. Valencia worse.

DL10

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10 Mar 2013 18:27:03
Valencia was absolutely woeful today (and for much of the season). i'm all for selling him this summer and bringing someone in worthy of wearing the #7 shirt!

ts87

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10 Mar 2013 18:26:49
Hope this is the start of a bad spell for us. we need to put the madrid game behind us.

very very poor game.

de gea saved us at the end.

valencia (disgrace that he's no'7), rooney and cleverley were shocking.

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Isn't*

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10 Mar 2013 18:25:58
We're so careless! I understand that the players were tired from midweek but, c'amon.

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Chelsea played midweek as well

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10 Mar 2013 18:25:47
murdered second half lucky not to lose very dissapointing poor in the centre cleverley contributes nothing great save by ddg

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10 Mar 2013 18:25:35
Toothless performance. Terrible in the second half, ridiculous. Still feeling sorry for ourselves. At 2-0 we should have put chelsea to the sword.

Caol�n.

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10 Mar 2013 18:24:14
My opinion on today is that firstly we sat back way too much in the second half and gave them an opportunity. Also cleverly is simply not good enough for united. Found wanting and can't hold the ball up and gives it away a lot. Evra is good going forward but constantly out of position at the back and someone has to cover for him. Finally Valencia has lost it completely. No pace and no idea how to beat a man. We need a new mid fielder. A new winger and a new left back. That's a must for the summer.

Nozzla

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10 Mar 2013 18:21:19
Anyone else shocked by the state of Valencia's game?
Can't believe he is still playing like this!
Both facts that his form is not even picking up in the slightest and that he is still picked to play
I looked at our wing options at the start of the season and loved what I saw, not anymore, Nani and Giggs are the best unfortunately

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10 Mar 2013 18:14:01
I for one will be gutted to see if valencia is not sold. He has been horrible full season ( do ne1 has anymore word for worst ever? )
On the other note team looks very tiered and motivless

Rodio17

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I m sure whoever has ticked unbelievable here knows nothing about football and licking sugarcane juice from valencia.

Rodio17

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10 Mar 2013 17:57:38
need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and get our acts together!

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10 Mar 2013 17:34:09
still want to sell hernandez?

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10 Mar 2013 17:21:57
Ferdinand amazing so far, everyone else a bit careless in possession. I do worry when we take a lead and settle for it. We should keep playing like we are 1. 0 down. A bit of a cliche, but next goal is important.

Sydney!

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Ferdinand has given the ball away countless times trying to play long balls from the back!

ts87

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I don't think I've ever seen us give the ball away so much in one half of football.

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Cleverly is just not good enough in my opinion! I know you like him Syd what do you see in him? I really think he's average at best!

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All that messing around in the 1st half, taking the foot off the gas, now look. That missed Rooney sitter is looking like a costly one now.

Sydney!

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Jamal, perhaps that's a question for SAF who obviously sees something in him?

Sydney!

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What is going on? Giving it away all the time, they seem to have given up after a 2-0 lead.

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Cleverly has beem awful today as has rooney.

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10 Mar 2013 18:25:17
i think we scored too early and just sat back

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Wow Sydney great answer!

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A very poor showing from all today other than perhaps Hernandez, DDG & Rio. Not going for the throat in the first half cost us the game. Settling for a 2. 0 lead is not good enough for Manchester United. United need to stop dropping off the pace and should keep playing like we are 1. 0 down. Rafael, Valencia, Cleverley & Rooney were running around in circles. Not good enough today. We best get over this by next weekend.

Sydney!

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10 Mar 2013 16:06:23
Hey Ed, was just reading on the TribalFootball website that we are planning to meet Cristiano Ronaldo's demands and lure him back from Real Madrid before the end of the season, before Real begin contract talks with Ronaldo at the end of the season.

It says that Nike's hope to "restore their leading football player to a Nike-wearing team has given both parties common ground for discussion on the possibility of funding a move for Ronaldo. "

Whats your opinion on this Ed? Think its true or just rubbish? {Ed004's Note - Hopefully true but I can't see Nike having that much of an influence}

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Would he have permission to speak wit us wit the year or so still on his current deal. I can't imagine so but I'm hopin for his return its just that tribalfootball will write anything

CAIN

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10 Mar 2013 15:58:33
Hi I know that this will cause a bit of anger among the reds fans, but I believe it is worth a thought.

Don`t go for CR buy bale instead. He is younger and does not come with the baggage that CR will bring, also will cost less and would be a long term investment.



just a thought
Cprs1

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I tend to agree. I just think the cost involved with Ronaldo will be too high

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For a similar price, Ronaldo would be my choice. But if the transfer fee of Ronaldo is about twice as much as Bale would cost, I would choose Bale instead.

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10 Mar 2013 15:51:54
Team: United: De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Young; Rooney, Hernandez.
Subs: Amos, Valencia, Anderson, Vidic, Young, Welbeck, van Persie.

Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Moses, Mata, Oscar; Ba.
Subs: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Torres, Mikel, Hazard, Terry, Bertrand. {Ed004's Note - So Young is a starter and a sub? Hoping it is Kagawa}

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10 Mar 2013 15:39:11
ddg

raf ferdi evans ecra

nani carrick cleverly kagawa

rooney chicha

Sulei {Ed004's Note - Happy enough with that. Only other improvements would have been Vidic and RVP}

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Kagawa is not playing, Young is.

MUFC19

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But you can understand why RVP doesn't start Ed. The rest will do him some good. He does seem to have lost a bit of sharpness of late. I think I can understand why Vidic isn't playing as he has played the last 2 but with Ba playing for Chelsea we probably could've done with his physical presence.

TK-Red {Ed004's Note - RVP looks like he needs a bit of a rest would have thought Vidic would have played a big part today.}

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10 Mar 2013 15:38:23
Van Persie isn't starting? Looks like he's being sold in the Summer!

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10 Mar 2013 17:26:55
Good his form has been awful of late. Sell him whilst we can. ;)

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10 Mar 2013 14:21:58
To be honest, although I'd love Ronaldo to come back, I just can't see it happening. Unless Nike were to pay the majority of the sum involved, United wouldn't pay the amount needed to land him.

I really think that Fergie should go all-out to buy Bale though. £40mill and test Spurs resolve.

The thought of having those two along with the rest of our attack is unbelievable

ALDUtd

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10 Mar 2013 15:45:21
Not sure why people think nike are going to part fund the ronaldo deal. Can't see them doing it. Now a bumper sponsorship deal yes but then I can't see uncle malcolm signing a cheque for that amount either.

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Ive heard nikes improved sponsorship deal comes with a slice of cash to help in the signing of ronaldo

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10 Mar 2013 13:48:40
Nomidfield - I see below, you've been taking my name in vain! :)

For the record, I have never stated I wanted Moyes as our next manager. I have said, that as the top British manager, SAF apart, he deserves consideration and not to be dismissed out of hand.

StevieK

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10 Mar 2013 14:30:53
top british contender? You mean only british contender surely? Unless you think big sam will apply haha.

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Didn't you post that we can give him the job for two years in a previous post. Anyway, I have a lot of admiration for Moyes as he's working on a limited budget, but he has not got the experience to be united manager and especially playing against European sides.
Nomidfield

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I said it was an option worth considering, in among many other options out there, including all the usual suspects.

I'm still undecided. Obviously I'd prefer Klopp or Guardiola, if not one of our old boys.

But if those two aren't available, I still don't think Moyes should just be dismissed out of hand as an option - some of the derogatory comments on here against him are a bit much - I think he's done a great job at Everton, and no-one will know if he can manage a big club, until he gets the chance to do so!

Who had Wenger ever managed?

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10 Mar 2013 12:22:45
Ed, my understanding is that Modric could be offered as part of the Bale deal by RM. Now I personally don't see Rooney leaving, not for a second, but do you guys think he could be part of a transfer loop with Bale going to RM, Modric and possibly Di Maria coming back the other way, Ronaldo coming back to us and then Rooney maybe moving to Spurs?
I know this sounds a bit far fetched but I am just interested to see how United will fund a move for Ronaldo.
Spurs are in desperate need of a striker and will be even more so next season if Bale leaves and if Rooney was to move I am sure he would rather stay in the country.
Cheers,

PJ {Ed002's Note - None of what happens between Real Madrid and Spurs involves MU.}

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10 Mar 2013 12:01:17
dont forget the big match, with the best two in form teams in the leauge, with the 2 most exciting players, that most footie fans will be watching, or you can watch the it means fa cup.

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Good luck in your annual 'Battle for sixth'

TommyH

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The most in form teams would be us and spurs. Ill back it up with some statistics:
-Liverpool are on a 2 game winning streak in the EPL, defeating Swansea and Wigan ( kudos )
- Manchester united are on a 5 game winning streak, and a season high 16 games undefated streak, having not conceded a goal in the last 4 matches. They also just came back from a big disappointment after having been kicked out of the champions league even though we completely outplayed one of the favourites.

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Well said mick! Swansea and wigan, haha

Duggo

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Funny you should say that lfc as United are top of the form guide but don't let facts get in the way.

TK-Red

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Duggo, a Swansea reserve side and Wigan.

Sydney!

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Oh sidders you are boring
lfc.

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Lets all be honest though for a second, they have won 2 games, not bad for the mighty liverpool that

Duggo

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10 Mar 2013 11:28:41
Morning Gents,

Not travelling up today being Mother's Day so spending it with the wife and our mum's with the agreement that it will be on the TV.

Anyway, feeling confident today and reckon Rooney and Nani will start. Hoping Hernandez gets the nod as his running in behind has caused Chelsea problems before and everytime I see him v Cahill, Cahill cannot handle his movement.

I don't bet on United games but I can see Rooney 1st goal scorer today and 2 or 3-1 to united although a clean sheet would be great.

Hope you guys who are braver then me and going to the game make the atmosphere as good as Tuesday and we get the result we want.

Come on United. {Ed002's Note - My concern here is that if you and your wife have an "our mum", that makes your wife also your sister.}

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Ed002 - we do have fans in the west country, you know.

TommyH

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Sometimes grammar can be of huge importance.

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Theres nowt wrong with us west country boys. Lol

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"The wife and our mum's" going to have to help me out lads, does this not read right? Don't want this to sound dodgy!

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You should have left out the apostrophe. To say, "the wife and I are going to see our mums" means that you are going to see both of your mums, whereas "the wife and I are going to our mum's" means the two of you are going to see a woman who gave birth to you and your wife.

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KARTOFFELKOPF-6,

Thanks mate, how one little apostrophe can make a big difference. I'll be more careful in future, don't want that sort of reputation!

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10 Mar 2013 08:05:15
A couple of points (opinions).

I don't believe Rooney will leave or Ronaldo will return. I believe we will add 2 or 3 more to what we have and expect Scholes will retire. Rio wiill get another year.

SAF I don't think, is ready to put his feet up. Another couple of years I expect. No doubt the board have looked at potential replacements and no doubt Jose would love to be the man.

Let's get in amongst Chelsea today.

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I wouldn't be surprised to see Rooney leave, as I have said it makes business sense to sell this summer, but it would be difficult to imagine him moving abroad and United wouldn't want him joining a rival. I think he will be offered a new deal perhaps lower than he is currently getting or on par. I just think Rooney and his agent will be asking for an increase and to be fair this time round they have far less wiggle room to get an improved deal.

But for now at least he is a United player and we have a league title and FA Cup to win so let's get behind him and let's win the double. Whatever happens in the summer I trust the manager will do what's best for the club. I think this game is massive for Hernandez, if he doesn't start then his time at the club must be under consideration. Hernandez is a thorn in Chelsea's side so there will be questions if he doesn't start.

Sydney!

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10 Mar 2013 10:31:36
Difficult to see Rooney wanting to play abroad, if Chelsea sell Torres then he could go there. If he stays then there need to be major changes in his lifestyle otherwise his decline in fitness and form will accelerate. {Ed002's Note - Chelsea has no interest in Rooney.}

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Fergy " there is absolutely no issue about a new contract for wayne, when it's time to renegotiate with wayne it will be done. We don't want our best players to leave and wayne is coming into his mature years"
"He got me 34 goals last season and although he's had issues with illness and injuries this year and hasn't had a long run of games he's all ready got me 14 goals"

Now fergy doesn't all ways tell the truth but that's very similar to what quite a few people having been saying on this site all season

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