Manchester United Banter Archive January 11 2013

11 Jan 2013 21:33:44
Anyone seen the rumours of Antonio conte being a possibility to succeed sir Alex? Thoughts?

GD

Can't see it but I do wonder if United are going to surprise us all
jred

Lauren Blanc to take over in 18mths, he currently has TWO English tutors who have banned him from speaking French from 9 to 5. This is in readiness to succeed SAF. daleman55

This is very big talk over here in France. sergio lagrange

I hope not. The guy plays 3 at the back and uses 3 holding/ defensivly sound midfielders ( DLP and 2 box to box ).

His style is defend first attack later, I would wish we had a manager who would always play attacking football.

Mick

Klopp

Mick

he plays three at the back, which works if you have the right personel. In the middle Pirlo, Marchisio and Vida;. I would like to see us play their system and believe they will make a deep run in the cl.

Our current system against top opposition is defend and counter. I am sure if you check the stats in the games against city, chelsea, spurs, they bossed the midfield both in terms of possession and scoring opportunities. I would much rather have a 3-5-2 and control the middle of the pitch.


Shahram

Daleman555

I hope you are wrong, as I don't see what qualifies him for the job and where are his credentials as a winning manager.

Shahram

12 Jan 2013 10:31:57
three at the back doesn't work in england. No one plays it. Cannavaro in a recent interview was saying teams in serie a only play it because of a lack of top quality defenders. Furthermore italian teams have always played a bit defensive.

12 Jan 2013 11:27:41
shahram blanc played for the club so is familiar with the set up, the facilities and the expectations so it would be a little easier to settle in compared to somebody with no experience of united. He won trophies as a player including the world cup. He won the french league with bordeaux, that's like winning the prem with newcastle. Yes he's not been as successful as Mourinho or Guardiola but he's still a valid candidate and someone i'd rather see on the shortlist than off it. Not saying he'd get the job but i can see the positives. Lets be realistic there is probably about five contenders for job and all have positives and negatives.

Klopp with solskjaer involved somehow if that could work.
Wont be for 2 or 3 years though whoever it is
Will Red

Shahram

I agree, he has the players that allows him to boss the middle ( passing ability of Pirlo, and bo to box nature of Vidal and Marchisio ), but he only plays with 2 attacking players. The whole team is built on defensive solidity, and apart from Pirlo, there is not much creativity in the team.

Now if you look at manchester united we usually play with up to 4 attacking players, and one attacking minded central midfielder. That is not Conte's approach. He dominates possession because he has the best ball winners in the world, not because of his possessopn keeping phisolophie.

Also you have to consider that most serie A twams are rubbish and give Juventus a lot of respect.

I am all for using the 3-5-2, since we have the players to do so, just not like Conte does, we can play Rooney, van persie, Kagawa and even Hernandez in the same lineup .

Mick

12 Jan 2013 12:25:21
it'll be either six months or eighteen months. Too soon for ogs. Think we'd need a bridging manager like jose who'd cope with the pressure then have ogs.

No Name

I know all his accomplishments as a player but would like to see or next as someone who has won in one of the better leagues in Europe and CL success.

I do realize whoever it is will have lot's of pros and cons as it will be the toughest job in world football.


Shahram

Oops missed our next manager as someone,

Brain and the fingers out of since :)

Shahram

Mik

I agree Serie A has a large disparity at the moment with Juve head and shoulders above the rest. They do play with wingers but tend to have a much more measured approach when going forward.

I think they are a team that can give all the favorites in cl a tough game and knock them out as they have assembled a very good team and winning even though they are in desperate need of a couple of strikers.

Shahram

12 Jan 2013 15:50:12
shahram who would be on your shortlist then?

Short list for Managers

1. Guardiola
2. Mourinho
3. Moyes
4. Blanc
5. Klop

The only reason I don't have Mourinho as my first choice is that I don't believe he is a guy who will stick around for more than 4 years and not too bothered about bringing guys through the academy, where Guardiola would stay for the long term and will be better for our academy and youth policy.


Shahram

12 Jan 2013 18:31:25
four of yours are also on my list but i strongly disagree with number three.

11 Jan 2013 21:04:29
Wesley Sneijder still not signed for Galatasary despite pressure from the club. The agreed fee is for 10 million euros which is a real bargain for a world class midfielder. Rumour is that Sneijder is delaying signing in the hope that a bigger club will now step in. Despite the complications and frustrations over previous negotiations this does represent a real opportunity for us.

I'm a fan of sneider, but do we really need him
jred

I hope SAF is not to stubborn an let a really good deal slip ..... Honestly right we were willing to spend 30 odd million on this guy not even a year ago an now he is going for 10 million It's mind blowin if we don't go for him an if gala are his only other option then he will drop his wage demand in order to get the move. If he doesn't work out 10mill is a better loss than 30 mill an if it does work out it could be devastating for our opisition......good business you would have to agree an if you guys think he is just a quick fix then Wat a quick fix he is an if you think he could halt some development of other players I disagree as he would give them some thing new to work towards......fingers crossed

CAIN

But we have bought last since then
jred

That should be kags
jrex

Wesley Sneijder was the best in the world in midfield a few years back and is still 28 so you have to wonder what it is about him that clubs are not even bothered he is available.... Imo he could play for Man United, Man City, Dortmund anyone apart from Barcelona and Madrid to be honest.

I agree as at the euros he was the best dutch player on the pitch. He has been injured since September and many top players go through injuries but that does not mean they lose their class. If his wage is something reasonable, he would still be better than most of our midfielders including kagawa.

I know people are going to come out and defend Kagawa but for me he is yet to be proven. He is 28 years old and that by no means is old looking at our current crop of midfielders.



Shahram

You've got to look at our other midfielders and be honest, sneijder will definitely improve the midfield. So why not get him? If we paid £7m for Bebe then sneijder surely worth a try.
Kagawa will come good in time, but sneijder is proven at top level. Only question mark is his fitness but that can be sorted.
Nomidfield

11 Jan 2013 19:59:57
With the West Ham Replay on Wednesday...and The Brazillian Paulista Joining West Ham. My question is.... will he stay for long, or become a BRIEF WELLINGTON ?

11 Jan 2013 18:46:33
It's 6.30 and me and Mrs AJH have finished the 1st bottle of red. This could get messy...

As for Sunday...

1. I hope Evra scores and tries to high five rat boy on the way back to the restart.
2. I don't care what the score is as long as we win.
3. Hopefully, Stoner's Arse will secure at least a draw against the bitters.

Gotta go, bottle 2 is calling...

AJH

I'm not a fan of red wine, but I am partial to a Jack Daniels or 12. Have a good night AJH, keep agreeing with everything your missus says, keep the convo's happy and you may be on a promise.

Sydney!

Never mind a high five AJH try a song and dance, that will be better ;)
Tommy.

You never told me you were married.

StevieK

Thers a proposal on the line frm stevie k lol ajh ;)

Oh crap, like an episode of eastenders now, Stevie is disappointed!

-JakeW

AJH, you've got some explaining to do

Mick

11 Jan 2013 17:31:47
Back in the eighties following United was not the trophy laden ride that it is now. Sometimes our season would be over in January if we were out of the cup. For me and my mates it was about watching New Order on a Friday night and going to the game on saturday home and away. It is true that most of the trophies were heading towards merseyside be it blue or red but we had something special something they could only look at in envy we had a player we had a captain we had a marvel we had captain marvel we had Bryan Robson. For those of you not lucky enough to see him let me tell you he was an unbelievable player who sometimes carried the whole team and the country on his shoulders. He was the best player in the country and he was ours. Those of you who like me were there when we beat Barcelona 3-0 after being 2 down from the first leg will know what I mean when I say he was a force of nature who dragged United to victory. That night he was carried off the pitch on fans shoulders. Yes there can be arguments about his off the pitch activities with mr Whiteside and McGrath but what I would give to see those 3 running out onto the pitch on Sunday. He is 56 today so let me celebrate Manchester United's greatest ever captain and wish him a very happy birthday. I AM KLOOT

Excellent post
jred

KLOOT,

For once I full heartedly agree with you, Bryan Robson WAS Manchester United, Bryan Robson WAS England. His Goal versus Liverpool in the Semi Final Replay in 1985 is one of the greatest ever. When it flashed up:

+++ GOAL +++ NO 7 BRYAN ROBSON

I will never tire of seeing that.

I don't mind admitting I choked up when he lifted the Premiership Trophy with Steve Bruce for the first time, no one deserved a league medal as much as that guy.

Happy Birthday Captain Marvel.

Ports

Genuinely brought a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat. The reason I started sneaking into the Stretford paddock to watch my beloved team. Captain Marvel.

Great post Kloot.

Dishforth Red.

Robson was my first hero as a young boy so for probably the first time ever i am with you on this one.

Brendan

Really well said and spot on as in those years although barren in trophies, we could always brag about how we had him.

Shahram

Nice one KLOOT. A real nice tribute.

Gav

I was there Kloot, the youngsters of today don't remember him. I was 48 last week but am still shocked to think he is 56. He was by far the greatest English player of his generation.

AJH

Great post!

Patzi

Great post.

G.A.G.U.S

Great post kloot
he was my idol as a kid.
what a great great player
just what we need now.
Happy birthday Robbo

Will Red

My childhood hero.
nice one KLOOT

snakey

Hard to believe he is 56.

I was there the day that fuzzy haired young man signed on the pitch, was it 81, then in 84 against Barcelona, some night. I was there for a great goal in a semi final against Liverpool at Maine Road, and again when he lifted that Premier League trophy with Steve Bruce. There was a time when he was such an important player to us that we and England couldn't do without him. I was also in the pub when he turned up for a beer or two but he went out and performed on the pitch, he gave his all and we could ask no more, a hero.

Red Man

{Ed007's Note -

Great post and video, some of it a bit before my time to be honest.

All that whislt playing with a wand instead of a left foot!!

Parks.

Great post kloot, I'm gonna throw it out ther and say its your best I AM STOUT

11 Jan 2013 15:11:40
Van Persie claims he reached an understanding with Rooney almost immediately after he arrived at Old Trafford.

"Early on we reached an understanding - probably quicker than most people thought we would, " he said.

"As the season progresses I know we will get better and better and become a real force. The next few months should be fantastic.

"Wayne's one of the best strikers in the world and I think already we are enjoying an excellent relationship. I'd like to think we are both intelligent players and perhaps this shows in our partnership.

"It's still a relatively new partnership so I think we will get better as the season progresses.

"Technically he has everything. He can assist, score goals, find space, play good passes and so on.
"I especially like his love of playing the game. He is unselfish and is willing to make sacrifices. He also hates losing. Everyone admires and values a player like him."

Denis Law agrees that Van Persie's strike partnership with Rooney will fire his old club to glory this season.

"If the two of them are playing together, that has to be a problem for any defence, " Law said. "As we could see in the short time they have been together, they are scoring goals.

"When you have two players like that there is a fair chance you will win the league or the Champions League. They will definitely win something."

jred

Ohh cmon Jred

THis can't be true, can it? I mean what does RVP know? A few of our arm chair critics have labelled him as "overweight", "overpaid", "lazy" and other adjectives.

Surely, surely they know more than Van Persie.

Deeps...

Yeah who do we listen to? RvP or the manager who has criticised his weight publicly? I like Rooney and hope he is playing Sunday, but he does struggle with his weight and he was left out of the team at the start of the season for being too plump.

Sydney!

To be fair lads, he's hardly going to turn round and say he's pants.

StevieK

Syd and Steve criticizing Rooney what ever next
Jred

RVP always heaps praise onto those who provide him with assists and help him look good. He did it with Walcott last season, Scholes after the Southampton game and now with Rooney. His comments show the class of the man IMO, he never seems to accept the praise on himself.

Any one with half a brain should be able to see that Rooney & RVP could and should be one of the most devastating strike forces across Europe.

Gav

I think law hits the nail on the. Head
Jred

Jred, don't start acting like a child, I haven't once criticised your Prince Rooney. Just stating the facts. Rooney does struggle with his weight and the manager has sent him to the gym to get fit on a number of occasions. Are you forgetting his mini break to the Nike centre in America? What about his time off to shift half a stone in August?

Sydney!

Jred, where was the criticism of Rooney there?

StevieK

Just another step in the process of Rooney capturing his form for us. Love the way the players are pushing each other on. It wouldn't surprise me on his return to see a much leaner, fitter Rooney. When he feel fit his mind and body execute his imagination and that can only be good for the players around him.

Dishforth Red

I would say RVP and law have said exactly what many on this site have been saying for a while
funny that
jred

Jred, where was my criticism of Rooney?? My point was I've never heard a striker come out and say, "I can't work with my partner, he's a donkey".
Pinch of salt and all that.

StevieK

Gav, I am praying Rooney starts Sunday. He always plays well against Liverpool.

Sydney!

RVP would say the same about Emile Heskey if they were at the same club. A teammates quote is hardly definitive proof either way.

TK-Red

Me too Syd, would be a real positive boost IMO. Then I'd like to see Hernandez on for Rooney on 60-70 mins to take advantage of tiring legs.

Gav

Steve
fair point pal i will take it back, can't of read it fully
syd
you've criticised him all season, ever since you decided that lewandonski was your new must have player.
TK
your quite right but the point is both RVP and Law have simply stated what a lot on the site have also been saying and would probaly agree with.
jred

I see what an 8 day break between games does and everyone is itching for the big game and still having a bicker about Wayne Rooney.

Personally, I hope he comes back in to form and the next few months will be quite compelling and we can all have the debate thereafter.

I know it is liverpool this weekend but we are less than a month away from our big day at Madrid and big players show up for big games.

Shahram

Syd
just cos its your opinion doesn't mean its fact.
his visit to the nike centre was condition work when he was coming back from injury after doing his ankle and in 2010, but of course it sounds better if you put it down to him being overweight i mean he was a porker in 2010.
i wonder what's next trying to make out his been dropped next time his injured.
last year it was evra and baines this year rooney / lew
jred

Jred, you need to stop talking out of your ass.

Me believing there is a chance Rooney could be sold in the summer is not criticising him. Saying he has lost his burst of pace that he once had is not criticising him. It happens to every player.

Us being heavily linked to Lewandowski is just another question mark whether Rooney is leaving or moving to midfield to replace Scholes.

Sydney!

Head above the parapet time....was watching TV Premiership years over Christmas and it would be fair to say that Rooney is somewhat stockier than he was. Now...for those of us of a certain age (that's you Kloot), we have filled out somewhat....but not in our 20's.

Great player, possibly, but he needs to go on a diet. Just saying.....

AJH (or Monsieur Merlot to you mes Amis)

Syd
You've criticized him all season pal and tried to use it as a reason why he will leave and lew will sig
You are entitled to your opinion and may be right but st least stand by it
Jred

Jred, find me these 'criticising' posts that you are talking about. If I have been doing it all season then it shouldn't be hard for you. Perhaps look up the word 'criticising' in the dictionary too.

Sydney!

AJH, careful mate you cannot be honest about Rooney or you get accused of criticising him. This is what Rooney has said, is he criticising himself?

"The first day back at pre-season training.

I'm like most blokes, I put on a few pounds after a holiday.

Even if I don't train for a week, I put on two or three, but when I get back to Carrington for the first day of work, I'm in for a shock.

The scales in the club gym tell me I've put on a few more pounds than expected “ seven. Seven!

Then I remember “ I drank a few bevvies while I was away. I'm stocky. I'm not like Ryan Giggs, all bone and lean muscle.

But I gain weight quite easily. It's not a problem though. It's not as if the manager is leaning over my shoulder as the numbers come in, tutting and making jokes about me eating too many chip butties.

Besides, I know I can shift it in a week or two. All the players are given loose training programmes to stick to while they're away, but they're optional.

The club like us not to go overboard on the eating and drinking in the close-season break, so if I go abroad I like to get into the hotel gym three times a week to work on the treadmill and do some weight work.

That way I can be sharp when we get back to training and the running will feel easier when the pre-season games start.

But coming back for pre-season after a few bevvies and a few weeks away from a ball is physically tough.

As a striker I need to work hard all the time. I need to be sharp, which means my fitness has to be right to play well. If it isn't, it shows.

It would probably be different if I were a full-back. I could hide a bit, make fewer runs into the opposition half and get away with it.

But as a centre-forward for Manchester United, there's no place to hide.

I've got to work as hard as I can, otherwise the manager will haul me off the pitch or drop me for the next game.

There's no room for failure or second best at this club.

When it comes to nutrition, all the players know what to eat and what not to eat all year round, but we allow ourselves some luxuries. During the season, I don't think there's any harm having a take-away now and then. The club always has someone on hand to talk to me about diet if I need them.

Physically I've taken a bit of a battering over the years; being lumped by Transformer-sized centre-backs or having my muscles smashed by falls, shoulder barges and last-ditch tackles, day in, day out, has left me a bit bruised.

When I get up in the morning after a game, I struggle to walk for the first half an hour. I ache a bit. It wasn't like that when I was a lad.

I remember sometimes when I finished training or playing with Everton and United, I'd want to play some more. But football has had a massive impact on my body because my game is based on speed, power and intensity.

Like any player I'm fearful of getting a career-ending injury. I could be in the best form of my life and then one day a bad tackle might finish my time in the sport. It's over then.

But that's the risk I take as a player in every match. I know football is such a short career that one day, at any age, the game could be snatched from me unexpectedly.

So I want to decide when I leave football, not a physio, or an opponent's boot.

But the fear of injury or failure has never got into my head when I've been playing.

I've never frozen on the football pitch. I've always wanted to express myself, I've always wanted to try things. I've never gone into a game worrying."

But what does Rooney know it's only his own body ;)

Sydney!

Syd
for some reason the archives only have January available but there is no need really as we have discussed this all season I've been pro Rooney as I still think his a top player.
I think its been quite obvious you've been the other side of the fence, lost his pace past his best overweight can't keep of the fags just because that's your opinion doesn't mean it's fact.I would say that's quite critical

he gets injured and that means his dropped for being unfit, which completely ignores his previous 5 goal in 3 games
where did you hear that him and fergy have had no relationship for 2 years and that things are that bad phealn has to act as a go between
you May well be right so stand by your opinion
jred

Jred, I fully stand by my opinion, I do not think Rooney was injured. I believe he was dropped and told to get fit in time for the Liverpool game, that may have been compromised by the sad news about his missus' sister, but I still expect him to play. However I have not criticised Rooney. I have always said I want Rooney to stay and that I think he is a world-class player. I guess I write something and you read something else. I am pro Rooney, but I am not naive enough to think his place at this club is guaranteed and I do think there is a possibility he will be sold in the summer.

Sydney!

Syd
the wife puts on weight easily, but if I tell here she's fat she will think I'm having a go.

but look pal If you want to pretend you haven't been critical of Rooney this season I would have to wonder what we have been disagreeing about all season.

shame you haven't got the balls to stand by your opinion
jred

Syd
so he's overweight, lost his pace can't stay of the fags never be the player the was and yet you think his worldclass
I think you might think one thing and type something else
jred

11 Jan 2013 21:27:35
J-Red - I think that's game set and match. Well done syders. Rooney taken off at Swansea for not being at the races and dropped for 10-14 days to get his fitness up to scratch. The injury being the cover storey, the injury that a scan couldn't pick up. Imagine the bevvies and xmas food he would have been tucking into without exercising, only a matter of time B4 the guv has had enough of his lack of professionalism..........

We have been disagreeing about two things Jred.

1) You think that Rooney was genuinely injured, I do not. I think it was a cover-up and SAF told him to get into shape.

2) You think there isn't a possibility that Rooney could be sold in the summer, I think there is a possibility.

I fully stand by these opinions. So not sure what you are talking about. Then again, do you?

Sydney!

No name
I have feeling I know you
jred

"so he's overweight, lost his pace can't stay of the fags never be the player the was and yet you think his worldclass"

Yes correct,

FACT - Rooney has lost pace.

FACT - Rooney does have weight issues and at times is overweight (confirmed by him).

MY OPINION - We have seen the best of Rooney.

MY OPINION - Rooney is world-class when fit.

How hard is that to comprehend? Oh nice sidestep on the Chip Butties & Bevvies though. I see you mentioned the fags, but not the other two things I have mentioned in the past (food & beer).

Sydney!

If the injury was a cover story why say the scan couldn't pick it up?

jred

No name, totally agree about the 'mystery' injury, but to be clear I am a massive Rooney fan when he is fit and would love him to stay fit and work hard staying fit like Ronaldo does. IMO Rooney's dips in form is down to his fitness and I think he struggles when just a few pounds over his peak weight. He looked unfit against Swansea and he was hauled off and didn't play again for a week or two. I agree that the press would have a field day with this so it's better to say he has picked up an injury in training. Like I have said I hope Rooney plays Sunday and gets an hat-trick. I think we have seen the best of him, but still has a lot to offer the team. I think the club may have other ideas mind. I will be very surprised if Rooney is a United player at 29, but in the meantime I want him to stay fit and play his heart out.

Sydney!

1, I think he was injured
2, I don't think he will leave in the summer as I still feel he's a top player I've explained why I think his a top player and why I don't think he will leave over and over again and you have continually disagreed, you've backed up your argument with his fat his past it etc etc you've done that for 4 month


and now your coming out with I've never criticized him I think he's world class
also I've never said there's no possibility he won't leave
jred

Have you a single shred of evidence that I have criticised him? Saying he struggles with his weight and that I think we have seen the best of him are not criticisms. That is a fact and an opinion, not criticisms.

I am beginning to think you have an empty head Jred.

Sydney!

11 Jan 2013 23:48:02
jred, you are so naive it's unreal. What do you think conditioning work is LOL? Have a little read of this:

"http://tinyurl.com/9cdenyh"

A bit of advice for you, if a man pulls up in a car offering sweets, do NOT get in ;)

Sydney!

11 Jan 2013 14:42:03
game on Sunday May not be a title decider but for me it's one of the biggest games of the season, I hate losing to Liverpool more than I enjoy beating them
can't wait till Sunday
jred

Couldn't agree more Jred.

Sydney!

Agreed, and with the Arsenal v City game too it's guna be a mouthwatering day of action.

Gav

Yeah, cheers Gav. Rub it in why don't you.

StevieK

StevieK

Sorry pal how inconsiderate - can you not conviently position yourself outside a pub with big windows and a big screen? :)

Gav

Come on lads... stevieK is at work... let him be

oxred...

Can't wait, I genuinely feel we'll massively outplay Liverpool and beat them convincingly. Then I just hope the gooners can get something from the shiekh. Gonna be a great day of footy!

Patzi

Trying to sort out Sky Go for the mobile. There might be hope yet....

StevieK

11 Jan 2013 13:57:55
If I were one Fernando Torres, I'd donate
most of my wages to charity, very
undeserving of them and shd be ashame to
collect them.
Can anybody take him even for �0"5 5m?
Certainly not. Very disgusting that we'll still
pay him over 30m pounds in the next three
yrs. He deserves an award, possibly the Best
Flop of all time.
BB. A banter from the chelsea page, i wudn't mind lending them macheda stanod

Roman would prob give you 50m for Macheda. He does that sort of thing

Yeah then he'll probably try to fix his home country getting a world cup.......

11 Jan 2013 12:35:25
dearie me, it appears saf and robin van twinkle toes have not been listening to the numerous experts on this page, some quotes from them- its like a derby-game, the history between the clubs, its always the one i look for in the fixture-list, they-liverpool, have some world-class players, we will have to study them.
so stop being so lippy utd fans, and fall in behind your manager and by far your best player and show some respect.
ps, lfc can not answer 100s of questions............lfc

The manager has to install that into the players or we will take a win against a mid-table club for granted like we did against Norwich. Of course it's a big game, but all the United team will be confident of a win.

Sydney!

Its called paying lip service to fading force
Chris the REDman

Dear Mr No Name

Every year SAF, promotes the same line when facing Liverpool. It's long since Torres was have the man RVP was, and tore Vidic a new AH. I am therefore sorry to say that alto Suarez is mildly better that Torres, we have no need to be worried and if SAF words of wisdom have made such an impact on you I would love to see the face of every other pool supporter.

PS all our strikers can play with there hands behind there back, could you ask LS to try it, albeit I fear him being hit by the invisible bullet in the penalty area a lot this Sunday.

Reddevilfan

Torres is his prime was far better than Suarez is now. Torres in a better side than Liverpool would have been unplayable. Of course he has lost that edge of pace and Chelsea paid £50m for a player who was past his peak.

Sydney!

Fading force......that was five years ago, now they are just mid table s**t. Brendan is over achieving in eighth and now wishes he had stayed at a club with a chance of a trophy.

Bazza

Reading? lol

11 Jan 2013 14:20:20
reddevilfan, thanks for the ground- about the super-human man utd forwards, i have send a report to the leading human anatomy and laws of morphology univerisity, astounding stuff mate............lfc

On the United page, watching the United press conference....I bet you're sat there in your United jersey, lfc! Get a grip son talk is cheap and SAF knows that.

Gav

11 Jan 2013 16:09:39
sorry reddevilfan, my last post should of read ground , not like me to make a mistake, good gief i will be calling myself jonny evans next lol...............lfc

Don't be silly Gav, if lfc is a REAL United fan he won't go near a replica shirt ;)

TK-Red

Good gief?!
Please tell me you typed that on purpous? Jeeenious! ;)

DodgyBanter

11 Jan 2013 11:01:08
Rooney not in the squad for this weekend (at the moment(, but Nani, Phil Jones & Anderson return.

Supasub

Oh no, Liverpool are screwed if Anderson is back

cozinoz

"Oh no, Liverpool are screwed if Anderson is back

cozinoz"

So screwed you'll be dqindling in midtable when he finishes with you....oh wait

Gav

Anderson is better than any of your midfielders

nikz

11 Jan 2013 08:51:42
Unfortunately there is no way on this planet we will get ronaldo back!
Think of how much he would cost!

Thanks for that nugget mr no name, yes his price would be high but not quite as high as we sold him for plus over the next 5 years we would make the money back 3 fold easily. Buying ronaldo is a risk free purchase even if he costs £70mil.

Brendan

Unless of course Brendan, he picks up a career-ending injury in his first few games back....nothing is risk free in sport mate.

StevieK

How would we make money back off Ronaldo Brendan?

Sydney!

Ronaldo wouldn't bring in any profit. If we signed Ronaldo for £70m, over the next five years he would have cost us a further £75m in salary and bonuses. We wouldn't sell any more shirts and we will not receive anymore cash in endorsements. Ronaldo would cost us £150m, not make us money.

Sydney!

It's not as straight forward as you make it sound Brendan IMO. If we got Ronaldo we would be really, really stretching ourselves and probably ignoring some other areas that need adderssing. If he did anything less than stay fit and play to his best for 3-4 years we would not get our money's worth.

Gav

Well...... I'm pretty sure that with ronaldo in the team our next nike contract would be even bigger than it is supposedly going to be. I'm pretty sure that shirt sales would increase as is the norm when a player as huge as ronaldo signs which is why nike would have to sign a premium to get the contract. If i am correct players are insured against career ending injuries so that wouldnt be a problem. With him in the team we have a huge chance of winning the champions league a few more times which without a player of his quality i don't think we have any chance so there are some more bonuses. The glazers are the masters of increasing revenue via advertising etc so you really think that they wouldnt manage to make huge sums out of ronaldo???. Especially taking part in club world cups after winning the champions league and huge pre season tours to the fanatical fans in asia and across to america. For one summer he would take up our summer transfer funds yes but i honestly believe fergie will get lampard, sell nani and use the funds for a strootman/wanyama with his money so not hugely stretching anything really. The summer after we would probably get a younger replacement for Lampard in the centre.

It is a feasible option even with the huge sums involved. No one can say he wouldnt improve our team as only he and messi could plus he keeps himself in prime shape just like giggs has done all his career so he could easily be still at the top of his game until he is 35+ so we should get a quality 7 years from him.

I know some agree with me but others dont, all i have ever said is that it is possible and doable not that it will definitely happen. If it did i for one would have no problem with it and would welcome him back. If he doesnt come back good luck to him, he is by far the best player i have watched at old trafford in my 31 amazing years as a man united supporter.

Brendan

Brendan, the new Nike deal will be the same whether Ronaldo is here or not. It's going to be a monster deal.

Sydney!

Well if its a monster why not use some to get ronaldo back?? Better than the glazers taking it out of the club for themselves. I am not anti or pro glazer as i have said a few times on here. They are the owners of the club i have always and will always support and if we are still challenging for trophies every year then who can complain? I would love them to repay the fans with a big move for ronaldo but whether it happens or not i'm not sure. It is certainly a possibility though.

Brendan

This is from american site last year......The day after last season's 4-12 train wreck ended, Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer said, "We are going to spend whatever it takes to win to put the best team on the field." Show of hands, how many of you actually believed that? Glazer's quote became a rallying cry for cynics, followed by a roll of the eyes and a "Yeah, we'll see." Turns out, the Glazers put their money where their mouths are. Spending the kind of dough the Glazers have spent this offseason buys you credibility and popularity.

Apparently they spent a huge amount of money on some players so why would they not do the same at united to secure in my eyes the joint best player in the world? Our sponsorship deals are becoming ridiculously huge so the money would be there.

Brendan

Brendan, I would love them to bring back Ronaldo, I would worry that we would be lacking in other ares though and Ronaldo would take up all of our transfer funds. I was just saying that buying Ronaldo wouldn't bring in more money, it would set us back well over £100m.

Sydney!

11 Jan 2013 03:36:43
Absolutely gutted. Called into work all weekend due to a few minor disagreements over here at the moment in this benighted isle of ours.

Special permission from the big boss to wear my United scarf with my uniform - not exactly regulation, but what the hell.

I'll be thinking of you all in the ground, at home and in pubs up and down the country, and around the world, getting the chance to watch the greatest club in the world take on our oldest rivals.

We may have City, and we may have Chelsea, both more important in terms of competition, but this is the one.

The one that I always look for first on the new fixture list at the start of every season. The one that I start talking with my mates incessantly about two or three weeks beforehand. The one that gives us the chance to stick it to our oldest and most detested rivals. The one that stirs my soul and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

This is United v Liverpool.

I know they raise their game against us. I know this is their cup final. It may well be tight. But if we can't beat this sorry excuse for a football team, a sad parody of former great Liverpool teams, even with a sub-standard United team compared to days of old, then we have serious work to do.

Enjoy yourselves watching it boys and girls, because you will be watching the greatest fixture in the football world, and it really depresses me to think I won't be joining you. The only pleasure I will get, will be seeing Hansen and Lawrenson's faces when they have to review it on MOTD.

StevieK

Hey Stevie can't you ask someone to record it for you and watch the game without looking at a scoreline? I have sometimes done that and it can work if you make sure you don't come on here to see how we did.

-JakeW

That's unlucky StevieK, that you are going to miss it due to work, however if you supported Liverpool you probably wouldn't miss it as you would not have a job to go to lol
Hope we smash them, but i going for United win 3-1 Evans first goal.
KevDarko

Jake, there's not a hope in hell I could do a Likely Lads, and avoid hearing the score mate.

I work with some sadistic buggers, and if they didn't tell me, a member of the public soon would.

StevieK

11 Jan 2013 00:23:44
Here's an interesting thought, Baines may be available in the summer but he won't come cheap, maybe 15m or more. But there is another very good option which people seem to have forgotten about.......Emilio Izaguirre. Who would cost closer to 7m with lower wages, a year younger and with champions league experiance. I don't think he's as good as Baines but is Baines really worth more than twice as much?

Shappy

I would rather see us spend more to bring in the best player we possibly can, especially in such a vital position. I think we could get Baines for around £12million and I would say his forward play is worth the extra £5million alone.

TK-Red

I would rather play fabio

Good player Shappy, but he's barely returned for Celtic after 5 months or so out of the game with a leg injury (ankle surgery I think), so don't think he would be considered in the short term

Kuala

I heard izguirre had lost form.

nikz

Izaguirre used to be one hell of a player, but he has lost form ever since his injury. Shame really

Mick

Shapps

Izzy has failed to reach the previous height he had set to his injury. He should be afforded time to prove himself and regain that standard as we are seeing with Toni but with the need for a top LB now and with Baines PL exp, still a good age and no history of injury problems I think the extra 5-7m pays for itself IMO.

I really can't see past Baines for the position. (plus he has won me a fair bit of cash with scoring anytime bets)

Jono