View Full Version : Manchester United
Guillermo
10-03-2007, 19:48
HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVEHAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE!!!!!
Fucking HAVE!
:huh:
Thought we'd lose tonight, so I'm mightily relieved to have got a replay. Hopefully we can do the business at home in 9 days. Getting more and more pissed off with this needless game on Tuesday :no:
:huh:
Thought we'd lose tonight, so I'm mightily relieved to have got a replay. Hopefully we can do the business at home in 9 days. Getting more and more pissed off with this needless game on Tuesday :no:
I hate replays, they're what is likely to injure our players. The very last thing we need at this stage in the season.
Boro is a tricky place to go for us, for one reason or another but the fact is we should have dicked them. Yes, we had Scholes and VDS out but bar that our line-up was rather tip-top. It was definetely a penalty though, I have never understood the "protecting your face" law if it even exists. If you have enough bloody time to throw your hands in front of your face, then surely you have enough time to slightly lower your face and head the ball. Rooney and Ronaldo played considerably well, as did Giggs but we needed that extra bit of 'ummphhh' to finish them. We'll dearly miss Larsson, but as recently stated, the injuries to Ole and Saha aren't as bad as first thought. Therefore hopefully one of the 2 will be fit for next weeks game against Bolton, should be a great game.
vanNistelrooy
10-03-2007, 22:51
HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVEHAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE!!!!!
Fucking HAVE!
SPAM SPAM SPAM, am I wrong?
Didn't see last ten minutes, but the rest of the match that I saw we didn't play too bad.
Kuscrap fucked up for the first but I was shaving when they went 2-1 up, bad marking I heard.
Carrick had a good game,giving good balls to his team mates and dribbling well. Rooney didn't play too well(apart from the goal which was fantastic), he was giving away too many balls.It would be good if Wayne hits his good form again, it'll help us a lot for all the competitions(http://youtube.com/watch?v=KyVEdhhOc4c click on the link).
Sometimes i was being confused about who's Ronaldo and who's Giggs.They had nearly the same style of dribbling. Both of them had good games.
Day by day I am getting more pissed of by this Europe XI game:realmad: .
AgentZero
11-03-2007, 07:10
oh well at least teh replay is at OT ...
Ferdinand was kinda invisible yesterday, wasn't he?
Invisible, what do you mean?
Invisible, what do you mean?
He didn't play well at all. The commentator was rarely saying his name, he touched the ball only a few times i would have like to see him get substituted . It is shocking:shocking: for a player of his caliber.
Well he didn't really have much to do, for the first goal he wasn't at fault as Kuszczak came out and clattered him. For the second goal I am not sure if he was at fault. Apart from that Middlesbrough rarely attacked and he was rarely put under any real pressure.
Cristiano Ronaldo :w00t lovely shot. Was a nice game... but Man Utd will win at their home next game.
Cristiano Ronaldo :w00t lovely shot. Was a nice game... but Man Utd will win at their home next game.
Yes we will win that home game, and any potential signings?
I'd rather have Cristiano in the Chelsea squad, and trade that piece of shit Ashley Cole to Man Utd.
I have my money on Rooney and Ronaldo to score.
Fucking get in!!!!!
Come on Boro (even if you do play that shit music when you score!)
What do you guys exactly mean by 'Get In'? I know it's an english saying for goals, but literally, anything behind it? :unsure:
AgentZero
11-03-2007, 12:05
just get in..
vanNistelrooy
11-03-2007, 13:20
Nikos, I don't use it to be honest, as it sounds stupid.
It could be compared to Alan Partridge's "BACK OF THE NET!". Used when your team scores, gets a penalty, saves a penalty or something happens in another game (maybe title/position contenders or rivals) that pleases you in the pants department. That or something that pleases you, not just football related.
It's difficult to sum up, actually it isn't; It's just another form of "YES!".
Here's the completed squad for that game tomorrow;
Goalkeepers: Oliver Kahn, Grégory Coupet, Iker Casillas.
Defenders: Paolo Maldini, Jamie Carragher, Eric Abidal, Lilan Thuram, Carles Puyol, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Grosso.
Midfielders: Gianluca Zambrotta, Steven Gerrard, Juninho Pernambucano, Florent Malouda, Luis Miguel, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo.
Strikers: Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Alessandro Mancini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrik Larsson
Bit of a pointless game.
Norwich boss Peter Grant has cooled speculation linking Chris Martin with a move to Manchester United.
The 18-year-old only broke into the Norwich side in January but he has since produced a series of eye-catching performances.
He has scored five goals in ten first-team matches and has reportedly impressed Sir Alex Ferguson.
Grant believes the speculation is nonsense but has urged Martin to take confidence from being linked with Manchester United.
"Manchester United? I think they have got more concerns on their mind," said Grant.
"But every time our players are mentioned it means we have got quality here. It doesn't concern me in the least.
"I'd be very happy as a player if I was linked with Manchester United.
"You want to be playing with the very best but he knows he's got a hell of a long way to go."
Hands off :angry:
vanNistelrooy
12-03-2007, 22:49
:tongue:
Hands off :angry:
Do you think he is good enough for the Premiership?
Well he has not looked out of place at all in the Championship, in fact he has possibly even been our best player in the past month, or one of the best, but it would be too soon for him to make a move like this yet. He seems to have his head screwed on and is a Norwich fan so I doubt he would want to play for Man Utd reserves anyway.
What happened to that Ryan Jarvis lad?
He's on loan at Leyton Orient at the moment. Scored five in his first three down there, but I doubt he will ever hold down a place at Norwich.
O'right. I remember that goal he scored against us, not bad at all.
Here's the completed squad for that game tomorrow;
Goalkeepers: Oliver Kahn, Grégory Coupet, Iker Casillas.
Defenders: Paolo Maldini, Jamie Carragher, Eric Abidal, Lilan Thuram, Carles Puyol, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Grosso.
Midfielders: Gianluca Zambrotta, Steven Gerrard, Juninho Pernambucano, Florent Malouda, Luis Miguel, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo.
Strikers: Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Alessandro Mancini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrik Larsson
Bit of a pointless game.
Hopefully he can get on the pitch and do a bit of damage :ninja:
AgentZero
12-03-2007, 23:23
well dmage him..we got vida
mufcsean
13-03-2007, 01:40
Anybody going to this pointless match
AgentZero
13-03-2007, 06:27
i would if iwere in manchester .... not everyday you can ronaldinho live
Zoolander
13-03-2007, 20:27
I hope the Dong gets out!
Pretty pointless game but some good goals and cameo appearances, Ronaldo free kick was awesome and Malouda also scored a very good goal. Did anyone know that Andy Cole would be playing for us? I didn't have a clue. Larsson got a standing ovasion when he came off :crymore: and Fowler got a standing boo when he came on :D.
Viperized
13-03-2007, 23:13
What was the score?
4-3 to United in the end, basically a reserve team was out in the second half. For both sides.
vanNistelrooy
13-03-2007, 23:17
Second half was awful. Lovely penalty from Diouf, although he is a bubbah-lipped c**t.
mufcsean
14-03-2007, 00:54
What a goal by ronaldo, diouf the cheeky basterd, glad he didnt let Fowler take it, i so wish Andy Cole would have scored
Rooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooonaldo!!!!
Man United, we are the boys in red and we are off to win the league, win the league....
** Ronaldo, we are waiting for you to move to Chelsea.. :huh:
Zoolander
14-03-2007, 07:30
You do know Cristiano Ronaldo will never move to Chelsea.
There is a chance. :D
Jose Mourinho is portugese too. :w00t
Zoolander
14-03-2007, 08:25
There is a chance. :D
Jose Mourinho is portugese too. :w00t
So is Carlos Queiroz.
Oh well.. the day will come.
Zoolander
14-03-2007, 08:44
:huh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_hQoB36890
:huh:
That day has arrived... :huh:
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2222/joecolemanutdon9.png (http://imageshack.us)
That day will never arrive:rolleyes: :w00t :cool:
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2222/joecolemanutdon9.png (http://imageshack.us)[/QUOTE]
mufcsean
14-03-2007, 18:48
:no:
Phatmann
14-03-2007, 18:49
Would've been nice to see Dong play more than 20 mins. Would rather he came on than bloody Andy Cole.
AgentZero
15-03-2007, 14:43
it seems Queiroz is in the touchlines more than SAF ...i guess hed be a good successor
skullverine
16-03-2007, 11:50
is it true that Rio will miss the next 2 games?
it seems Queiroz is in the touchlines more than SAF ...i guess hed be a good successor
I'd prefer Roy Keane or Eric Cantona(he said he'd come back to United only as manager) Who do u reckon will be replacing our old players?
I would hate for it to be Roy Keane or Eric Cantona, Keane has been managing for about 6 months and Cantona has never managed. From what I have heard Fergie wants it to be Quizeroz which would be fine by me but I would love it to be Mark Hughes, he is relatively young and has done a good job for Blackburn.
AgentZero
16-03-2007, 13:04
yes Rio is out with a rib Injury...could miss the Israel and Andorra games too.
i think Wes can adequately replace Rio
Don't know where all this injury news is coming from on Rio but I have just seen on Sky Sports News that he will be playing in the Bolton game tomorrow.
From www.goal.com:
United Duo Win Awards For February
Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs have been named the Premiership's manager and player of the month for February.
United won all three league matches that they played in the month to keep alive their push for the Premiership title, while Giggs netted in both the 4-0 win at Tottenham and 2-1 win at Fulham.
Giggs and Ferguson were also both awarded the honours in August to complete a rare double for the duo, a they play a key role in United's attempts at a domestic double.
Giggs said: " I feel fit and well. The hardest thing for me is recovering when you have so many games in such a short space of time as we have at the moment.
"But fitness-wise, during the games, I feel as good as I have ever done."
Todays line-up,
Kuszczak
Neville
Vidic
Rio
Heinze
Park
Carrick
O'Shea
Giggs
Ronaldo
Rooney
A few players missing but a fairly strong team. Smith is on the bench, hopefully he will come on and play some part.
Guillermo
17-03-2007, 13:30
I hope we get the balance right up front.
Well apparrantly it is going to be Giggs just behind Rooney, that seems to be a bit unbalanced as neither player is a real poacher who will run off the shoulder. Smith could be an important player coming off of the bench.
Guillermo
17-03-2007, 13:57
Fuck, Gaz. :'(
Was Park's miss that bad?
Was Park's miss that bad?
I don't really care anymore 1-0. Park.
EDIT: 2-0. Rooney.
AgentZero
17-03-2007, 14:09
Rooney!
AgentZero
17-03-2007, 14:13
Parkl
3-0
Guillermo
17-03-2007, 15:26
Rooney again. Good finish, puts the game beyond all doubt.
AgentZero
17-03-2007, 15:45
2nd half was dull afair..apart from the rooney goal and rio+wes playing footytennis
Ronaldo was brilliant
Pretty good afternoon overall, Park took both of his goals very well and Rooney scored two good goals aswell. Ronaldo carried on his good form setting up a few of the goals and generally causing problems for the Bolton defence. Our defence looked pretty solid for the whole game and was rarely challenged, it was a bit of a shame that Vidic gave that penalty away. Smith got on for a good twenty minutes and seemed fine, he did well in the build up to Rooneys second goal.
The only downer was Neville really, hopefully he won't be out for too long as so far this season he has been one of our best players and obviously the captain.
I thought he's broken his ankle?
vanNistelrooy
17-03-2007, 16:56
Just done ligaments. SAF said he'd be out for about 3 weeks.
At least it's a position that we actually have cover in.
Guillermo
17-03-2007, 17:54
You'll think I'm joking here but believe me, I'm not... Paul Robinson's free-kick from his own half is left by Watford defender Lloyd Doyley, bounces and then sails over Watford keeper Ben Foster's head. Unbelievable.
I'm hoping that's not too embarassing for Ben..
Phatmann
17-03-2007, 21:12
Park Ji Sung :) Anyone else think kuszczak won't get a game next season with foster and van der sar running the show?
Park Ji Sung :) Anyone else think kuszczak won't get a game next season with foster and van der sar running the show?
Of course he won't get a game, especially when Ben Foster has shown his exciting potential for Watford. Van der Sar has signed a 2-year contract extension too I believe so I can probably see Kusz being either loaned out or sold sooner or later.
Why was he even signed in the first place?
Has he actually been signed? I thought he was on loan and could possibly be signed at the end of the season? Either way he won't play very much next season.
Jonny Evans scored today for Sunderland, from what I have heard from my Sunderland supporting mate he has been excellent and he reckons he will be a top class player in the future.
vanNistelrooy
18-03-2007, 17:53
From what I've seen of Evans he does look quite good, unfortunately built a bit like John O'Shea :(
Kuscack will sign in the summer. Not a bad shot stopper IMO, but his decision making at time is awful.
I suppose that Kuszczak will be a good 3rd keeper.
Some guy called Cathcart is going to be in the squad for the Middlesbrough game, he is a defender and is the captain of the Under 18's side. Dong will be on the bench aswell.
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB4CEE8F A%2D9A47%2D47BC%2DB069%2D3F7A2 F35DB70%7D&newsid=411960
Kuszczak wouldn't be playing much this season or next.
Starting line up for tonight,
Kuszczak
Brown
Vidic
Rio
Heinze
Ronaldo
Carrick
Giggs
Richardson
Smith
Rooney
Subs, Heaton, O'Shea, Eagles, Cathcart, Park Ji Sung.
Pretty strong starting 11, Smith starting his first game in ages could be a risk. Hopefully he won't get injured as the bench is pretty weak.
vanNistelrooy
19-03-2007, 20:56
Starting line up for tonight,
Kuszczak
Brown
Vidic
Rio
Heinze
Ronaldo
Carrick
Giggs
Richardson
Smith
Rooney
Subs, Heaton, O'Shea, Eagles, Cathcart, Park Ji Sung.
Pretty strong starting 11, Smith starting his first game in ages could be a risk. Hopefully he won't get injured as the bench is pretty weak.
Why oh why does SAF continue to play this waste of space? I'd rather have Park starting, and that's saying something!
Why oh why does SAF continue to play this waste of space? I'd rather have Park starting, and that's saying something!
I reckon it is his last chance to impress SAF, it is nearing the end of the season and he hasn't done anything special all season. SAF is probably playing him to see if it is worth keeping him next season. If he is going to deserve a place he will have one hell of a game and play extremely well for the rest of the season.
vanNistelrooy
19-03-2007, 21:02
Get rid of him already. I don't care if he wins the game for us tonight, I hate him.
AgentZero
19-03-2007, 22:54
another fuckin pen...boro is like this seasons bogey team
Solid performance, Ronaldo with another goal and a clean sheet. Couldn't of asked for much more realistically.
vanNistelrooy
19-03-2007, 23:02
Ronaldo went down easily for the pen, not quite convinced.
That said it was an average performance, with Heinze playing quality. Great to have the old Gabby back!
AgentZero
19-03-2007, 23:16
Boro are last seasons Blackburn
Guillermo
19-03-2007, 23:52
boro is like this seasons bogey team
How exactly? Played 3, won 2, with the draw not having a major effect as we went through anyway. Last year we lost against that lot 4-1. Personally I reckon it's Reading, they seem to turn it up a notch against us.
Zoolander
20-03-2007, 09:11
I hope this doesn't come true but during one of my power naps I dreamt Manchester United signed Adriano! At the press conference I asked SAF why he signed him. He said "Adriano was built for the Premiership! If you sign him! They will come!"
Anyway Adriano makes his debut & has a blinder! Scores a powerful header from a Ronaldo cross. Manchester United win 2-0. Man of the Match goes to Adriano.
After the match Kate Beckinsale & I drive back to my Cheshire home & proceed to have sex in a number of positions. Man of the Match goes me.
The End.
Hargreaves also played I think. I will try to carry this dream on to find out more stuff.
AgentZero
20-03-2007, 09:14
How exactly? Played 3, won 2, with the draw not having a major effect as we went through anyway. Last year we lost against that lot 4-1. Personally I reckon it's Reading, they seem to turn it up a notch against us.
true but
played 3, won 2
won a pen that either wins or draw 3
Zoolander
20-03-2007, 15:13
I'm going for a power nap. I will update you on my dream afterwards.
skullverine
20-03-2007, 15:20
loved that Ronaldo post-match interview
Guillermo
20-03-2007, 22:25
Manchester United's potentially crucial Premiership trip to Chelsea has been re-arranged for Wednesday 9 May.
Chelsea were due to host United on 14 April, but with both sides reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, it was automatically postponed.
It means the match will now be the second-last game of the campaign for both teams.
United currently lead Chelsea by six points with both teams having eight Premiership matches remaining.
If United continue to maintain their current six-point lead by the time they play Chelsea, the title is likely to be secure because of their vastly superior goal difference.
The Old Trafford club have also confirmed the home clash with Sheffield United, which was due to be played on 10 April but was called off because of the Champions League quarter-final with AS Roma, has been put back to Tuesday, 17 April.
It had better to wrapped up by then.
And that has nothing to do with Sky no ?
vanNistelrooy
20-03-2007, 23:01
It would be a nice change for THEM to give US a guard of honour if we do have it won by then.
Then again, Jose being the prick he is, that probably won't happen.
It had better to wrapped up by then.
Personally I'd love to see Man Utd win the league in Chelsea territory.
Guillermo
20-03-2007, 23:17
Personally I'd love to see Man Utd win the league in Chelsea territory.
Personally I'd love us to win it the game before in Man City territory. :tongue:
Personally I'd love us to win it the game before in Man City territory. :tongue:
Definitely, I don't think it is over yet but the sooner it is wrapped up the better really, I would hate it to go down to the last weekend or something like that.
Yeah but I have nothing against Man City. But I despise Chelsea. And surely winning it at the Bridge would be more fulfilling?
Yeah but I have nothing against Man City. But I despise Chelsea. And surely winning it at the Bridge would be more fulfilling?
Possibly, but if we won the title at City and sent them down it would be brilliant.
Yeah but I have nothing against Man City. But I despise Chelsea. And surely winning it at the Bridge would be more fulfilling?
It would be but that isn't going to happen. Like Top Gun said winning the title at City would be great.
AgentZero
21-03-2007, 10:42
a win at citeh > win at the bridge
hopefully our win against citeh will bump them off the top flight aswell
a win at citeh > win at the bridge
hopefully our win against citeh will bump them off the top flight aswell
I'd rather win the title at the Bridge to be honest, just to fucking show them who really is the best team in England. Just to show them, they can stick their billions up their arse, along with Abramovich and Mourinho.
It would still be great to win the title at Citeh but I think the relevance isn't there. We already taunt Citeh with the chants and the 31 years fact, we taunt them because they don't win trophies. It would probably be better too if Citeh stayed up, yes, we hate them but that's precisely why they should stay up.
vanNistelrooy
21-03-2007, 19:38
I'd love us to be the team to send West Ham down on the last day of the season, revenge for the draw that cost us the title to Blackburn.
That said they'll probably already be down by then.
Zoolander
21-03-2007, 21:18
Lets have enough of this winning the league talk until it's certain! Manchester United for the treble! :ninja:
AgentZero
21-03-2007, 22:31
I'd rather win the title at the Bridge to be honest, just to fucking show them who really is the best team in England. Just to show them, they can stick their billions up their arse, along with Abramovich and Mourinho.
It would still be great to win the title at Citeh but I think the relevance isn't there. We already taunt Citeh with the chants and the 31 years fact, we taunt them because they don't win trophies. It would probably be better too if Citeh stayed up, yes, we hate them but that's precisely why they should stay up.
true but thats what the FA cups for...we've totally showed we are teh best team in england by being no.1 for how many weeks. I say beat citeh to send them down and clinch the title, beat chelski at th FA Final and then whoever is there in th CL finals
Keyser Soze
25-03-2007, 17:59
true but thats what the FA cups for...we've totally showed we are teh best team in england by being no.1 for how many weeks. I say beat citeh to send them down and clinch the title, beat chelski at th FA Final and then whoever is there in th CL finals
:rolleyes:
vanNistelrooy
25-03-2007, 18:02
Why the :rolleyes:? It really is that easy! :tongue:
Anyway, we've done it before...
Keyser Soze
25-03-2007, 18:04
Why the :rolleyes:? It really is that easy! :tongue:
Anyway, we've done it before...
Man United were untouchable that season, you aren't now. If you were competing with the Chelsea of the last 2 seasons, I doubt you'd even be leading the Premiership.
I'd happily put my house on United not doing the treble. ;)
I'm sure Losgalacticos will be willing to take that bet up.
The people who are speaking have they actually seen Man Utd play in the Champions League over the past few seasons? far from convincing.
Viperized
25-03-2007, 21:29
The people who are speaking have they actually seen Man Utd play in the Champions League over the past few seasons? far from convincing.
The truth is revealed!^
The people who are speaking have they actually seen Man Utd play in the Champions League over the past few seasons? far from convincing.
Which is why we wont be winning it this season.
AgentZero
25-03-2007, 22:54
i reckon our hardest game is still to come..Roma is probably the most dificult opponent yet....c'monguys just being a little hopeful...plus The G where do you live?...i hope ldn
Keyser Soze
25-03-2007, 23:01
i reckon our hardest game is still to come..Roma is probably the most dificult opponent yet....c'monguys just being a little hopeful...plus The G where do you live?...i hope ldn
West London.
AgentZero
25-03-2007, 23:05
you house/flat is as good as mine
If hargreaves ever comes i'd like our formation to be like this:
............................Fo ster.......................... ......
Neville......Ferdinand........ .Vidic...............Evra
...............Carrick........ ..Hargreaves................
...Ronaldo...............Schol es/Sahin..............Rossi...... .
......................Rooney.. .............................. .....
With Rossi pushing forward to support Rooney and Evra getting up and down the line Hargreaves can make sure Evra is never left exposed.
Its also the only way to effectively play Rossi.
And proper replacements for scholes is Sahin/Moutinho(would be easy to get him as Sporting is our feeder club)
If hargreaves ever comes i'd like our formation to be like this:
............................Fo ster.......................... ......
Neville......Ferdinand........ .Vidic...............Evra
...............Carrick........ ..Hargreaves................
...Ronaldo...............Schol es/Sahin..............Rossi...... .
......................Rooney.. .............................. .....
With Rossi pushing forward to support Rooney and Evra getting up and down the line Hargreaves can make sure Evra is never left exposed.
Its also the only way to effectively play Rossi.
And proper replacements for scholes is Sahin/Moutinho(would be easy to get him as Sporting is our feeder club)
That is ridiculously stupid, we play shit using the 4-5-1 formation.
Is Sporting really our feeder club? I've been told but i'm not certain it's true
If hargreaves ever comes i'd like our formation to be like this:
............................Fo ster.......................... ......
Neville......Ferdinand........ .Vidic...............Evra
...............Carrick........ ..Hargreaves................
...Ronaldo...............Schol es/Sahin..............Rossi...... .
......................Rooney.. .............................. .....
With Rossi pushing forward to support Rooney and Evra getting up and down the line Hargreaves can make sure Evra is never left exposed.
Its also the only way to effectively play Rossi.
And proper replacements for scholes is Sahin/Moutinho(would be easy to get him as Sporting is our feeder club)You won't get Sahin as if he was going anywhere it would have been Arsenal who were also snubbed. Rooney cannot operate as a lone striker as it isn't his position and Rossi is nothing special at all.
Stella Artois
26-03-2007, 18:26
Doesn't help that Rooney's the most over-rated player ever.
Since when has Sporting been a feeder club of yours?
ferdinand93
26-03-2007, 20:00
Royal Antwerp is our only feeder club.
AgentZero
26-03-2007, 23:03
Antwerp is our feeder club...and to a certain extent Leeds...we've only gotten ronaldo from sporting i think we just have a good relationship w/ them nothing of that sort...Although would like if say we get nani or Yannick
AgentZero
28-03-2007, 23:57
FUCK!
Ronaldo doubtful for Roma clash
Guillermo
28-03-2007, 23:58
:huh:
Portugal are confident Cristiano Ronaldo has not suffered a serious injury after the winger was hurt in training.
The Manchester United ace is in Belgrade preparing for his country's Euro 2008 qualifier with Serbia on Wednesday.
During Tuesday's training session, Ronaldo twisted his foot and suffered an injury to his left heel.
He is now rated doubtful for the game with Serbia, but Portugal are optimistic it is not a major problem.
"At this time we don't know if he will play," team doctor Onofre Costa told reporters. "He sprained his heel.
"It doesn't look very serious, but we are not sure if he will be fit."
Ronaldo scored twice in Saturday's 4-0 win over Belgium, while his club will also be hoping there is no lasting damage.
The quick-silver attacker is United's top scorer this season and will be a key player in the club's bid for the Treble.
That's all I see at the mo.
AgentZero
29-03-2007, 00:04
i heard otherwise
dunno if he played against serbia
He played 90 minutes for Portugal tonight, so it appears that he is fine. Good news :huh:
Rooney did us a favour by breaking Lampards wrist, anyone know if Lampard will miss any games?
AgentZero
29-03-2007, 00:32
its a wrist and he has a cast on..i remember playing with a cast when i did my wrist..
but richards out is one step further to city being relegated
Definitely Maybe
29-03-2007, 14:34
If hargreaves ever comes i'd like our formation to be like this:
............................Fo ster.......................... ......
Neville......Ferdinand........ .Vidic...............Evra
...............Carrick........ ..Hargreaves................
...Ronaldo...............Schol es/Sahin..............Rossi...... .
......................Rooney.. .............................. .....
With Rossi pushing forward to support Rooney and Evra getting up and down the line Hargreaves can make sure Evra is never left exposed.
Its also the only way to effectively play Rossi.
And proper replacements for scholes is Sahin/Moutinho(would be easy to get him as Sporting is our feeder club)
Thank fuck you're not Fergie then
Scarface
29-03-2007, 21:14
If hargreaves ever comes i'd like our formation to be like this:
............................Fo ster.......................... ......
Neville......Ferdinand........ .Vidic...............Evra
...............Carrick........ ..Hargreaves................
...Ronaldo...............Schol es/Sahin..............Rossi...... .
......................Rooney.. .............................. .....
With Rossi pushing forward to support Rooney and Evra getting up and down the line Hargreaves can make sure Evra is never left exposed.
Its also the only way to effectively play Rossi.
And proper replacements for scholes is Sahin/Moutinho(would be easy to get him as Sporting is our feeder club)
Sporting aren't your feeder club, but even if they were, you wouldn't get Joao Moutinho easily. He's vital to them (was made vice-captain at the age of 18 I believe, and he's performing very well), and you'd have to offer huge amounts of money for them to even consider letting him go.
Why would you go out of your way to find a way of fitting Guiseppe Rossi into the team? He looks a decent enough talent and possible regular scorer, but not special enough to build a team around.
vanNistelrooy
29-03-2007, 23:21
...nor a left winger!
Don't play Rooney up front on his own either.
AgentZero
30-03-2007, 00:13
who do you think will wear no10????....
who do you think will wear no10????....
Hopefully it will be a new striker as nobody we have deserves it at the moment.
AgentZero
30-03-2007, 00:18
IMO its either going to be Ronaldom or Rossi
Ronaldo? He will keep the number 7 shirt. Rossi will go on loan again hopefully as he isn't good enough at the moment in my opinion.
Zoolander
30-03-2007, 00:25
I think Rooney should retire from International football. lol
I would assume the no. 10 is going to either Torres, Villa, Klose or Berbatov, if SAF is serious about getting a top name striker in. Rossi will never have enough of a physical presence I feel, to be what we need to partner Rooney.
Personally I'd like to see one of the above, plus a winger and a central midfielder added to the squad. Hargreaves is good, though not sure we need him now we've got Carrick, can't see how you'd fit them both in without a gash formation like Dede suggested.
Is Sahin any good in real life? I've heard how good he is on FM but despite how good the game is it's not always right. Could he really replace Scholes? To me this will be the most important of all the changes in the coming years, as Scholes is integral to the team and he's a big reason why this season we're six points in front of Chelsea rather than languishing behind them with virtually the same squad as last season.
I can't see Villa as he will cost way too much, Torres looks like it might happen and I wouldn't mind if it did. Klose would be the ideal signing for me, he is strong, very good in the air and he can also poach very well. Berbatov wouldn't be a bad signing but Martin Jol said he values him at £40m which is way too steep.
Gary Neville is going to miss the next 3 weeks because of an injury but Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer return to play Blackburn.
Scarface
30-03-2007, 14:34
Berbatov wouldn't be a bad signing but Martin Jol said he values him at £40m
:laugh:
I reckon you'll get Fernando Torres, who could work very well with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mambo, Sahin is very talented, but he isn't of great similarity to Scholes. He's not going to give you what he does, but he'd be a good addition to almost any European squad.
Viperized
30-03-2007, 16:20
:laugh:
I reckon you'll get Fernando Torres, who could work very well with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mambo, Sahin is very talented, but he isn't of great similarity to Scholes. He's not going to give you what he does, but he'd be a good addition to almost any European squad.
Cheaper and better alternatives to Torres are Klose and Huntelaar.
But I'd prefer to see Man united waste their £30m on Torres.
Zoolander
30-03-2007, 22:02
Huntelaar is on the cards apparently.
AgentZero
31-03-2007, 01:20
FM said Oskitz Estefania is the greatest youngster right now..btu where is he?
I read that Fergusson is interested in Gudjohnsen.
The offer is of around ten million Euros.
I also read that Real Madrid are prepared to pay eighty for Ronaldo. :rolleyes:
Viperized
31-03-2007, 10:54
I read that Fergusson is interested in Gudjohnsen.
The offer is of around ten million Euros.
I also read that Real Madrid are prepared to pay eighty for Ronaldo. :rolleyes:
What happening to paying €100m on Messi?
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 14:15
I read that Fergusson is interested in Gudjohnsen.
Wanted us to go for him when he decided to leave Chelski. Would be a great addition IMO.
I'd rather we didn't buy Gudjohnson for around £7m. No doubt he'd a good addition to our team, but it'd be better to spend that £7m on someone with a longer career span I think. I mean, Gudjohnson would only have a couple of years in him so it would be pretty pointless in my opinion, as with Larsson, we'd be better of trying to loan him if anything.
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 14:44
True, but I'd pay for experience any day ;)
Team to face Blackburn:
Van der Sar
Ferdinand
Heinze
Brown
Vidic
Ronaldo
Scholes
Giggs
Carrick
Park
Rooney
Solskjaer
Richardson
Smith
O'Shea
Kuszczak
Looks like we will be playing Giggs just off of Rooney then. Hopefully we'll have our game faces on today, as no doubt Blackburn will come out kicking. Although with The Terminator in defence, we should be fine. ;)
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 15:29
HAD The Terminator, just taken off with dislocated shoulder, didn't look nice.
Looks like England have ruined Rooney :(
Guillermo
31-03-2007, 15:31
That injury could ruin our season. The effects shown straight away.
Just noticed Derbyshire has scored. :happy: This is turning into a class day and with Batman on later, the day gets classer. :cool:
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 15:51
If you can score 4 past Arsenal, I'm sure we can score 2 past Blackburn.
If you can score 4 past Arsenal, I'm sure we can score 2 past Blackburn.
If that situation occurs, let's just hope Blackburn can get two more goals.
With their defence, it's a surprise you already ain't.
You'll probably win thanks to a Ronaldo pelenty/tap in no doubt. :no:
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 15:58
Although we CAN score the goals, playing Rooney upfront on his own is suicide after his performances for England. He should have had atleast one goal.
The Vidic injury doesn't help either. Let's just hope for an early United goal in the second half!
If Vidic is out for the Champions League game, that would mean Wes Brown will play centre back and John O'Shea at right back.
That would mean that John O'Shea would have to deal with Mancini. Doesn't sound good - for you guys that is.
Guillermo
31-03-2007, 16:02
I'm pretty sure Vidic will be out for the rest of the season.
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 16:02
I'm pretty sure Vidic will be out for the rest of the season.
Yup, like Silvestre, who I believe also dislocated his shoulder (against Lille).
EDIT: Broken collarbone actually, according to SS.
Viperized
31-03-2007, 16:06
What's with the name change, Milky Joe? Who were you previously known as?
Milky Joe was JD. Better known as van Nistelrooy though.
Milky Joe was JD. Better known as van Nistelrooy though.
Why all the name changes, it's gay. :mellow:
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 16:50
It's not, if you watch Mighty Boosh, you'll know that Milky Joe is quality ;)
Park!
skullverine
31-03-2007, 17:14
how long does a broken collarbone take to heal?
and thank fuck we won. I was very annoyed before Scholes' goal. The time wasting by blackburn :realmad:
how long does a broken collarbone take to heal?
and thank fuck we won. I was very annoyed before Scholes' goal. The time wasting by blackburn :realmad:
In all fairness, we have been time wasting ourselves this season, the Arsenal match springs to mind.
We are definatly going to miss Vidic and his ariel abilities. Not looking foward to wednesday, whoever is playing at RB will need to at his best to stop Mancini.
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 19:15
Don't care that much about the CL match tbh, I want the league.
Pretty good weekend really, even if Chelsea did win in the end. This was a weekend I was worrying about as Blackburn are good against us and Chelsea had bottom of the league. The win just means another weekend chalked off, 5 wins needed to clinch the title.
I don't really care about the Champions League, I would rather win the league. F.A Cup is of third importance after both of those.
--O'Shea---Ferdinand---Brown---Heinze--
That looks the most likely that Ferguson would use.
But this looks better in my opinion;
--Brown---Ferdinand---Heinze---Evra--
That is Heinze's position for Argentina and he plays good there. And having Brown at right back looks stronger than O'Shea there.
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 19:22
Evra isn't fit enough I don't think.
John O'Shea isn't as bad as some people make out. He did destroy the Scousers if you all remember :)
Evra isn't fit enough I don't think.
John O'Shea isn't as bad as some people make out. He did destroy the Scousers if you all remember :)
O'Shea seems to have a nack of scoring in the big games, remember that little chip against Arsenal aswell. :cool:
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 19:27
That was a lovely goal.
People seem to slate him without realising he actually does what he's there to do.
Suffers from "Phil Neville syndrome" if you ask me.
Evra isn't fit enough I don't think.
John O'Shea isn't as bad as some people make out. He did destroy the Scousers if you all remember :)
He didn't just crush the Scousers, but he also crushed the Blues :(
I see what you are saying though. He is a good squad player to have. He also can play in a lot of positions, which is a pro for him.
But do you trust him playing all 90 minutes?
--O'Shea---Ferdinand---Brown---Heinze--
That looks the most likely that Ferguson would use.
But this looks better in my opinion;
--Brown---Ferdinand---Heinze---Evra--
That is Heinze's position for Argentina and he plays good there. And having Brown at right back looks stronger than O'Shea there.
Evra isn't fully fit at the moment so I think O'Shea will go left back,
--Brown---Ferdinand---Heinze---O'Shea--
i think what jeol said about what fergie would put as D-line is the best way.
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 19:49
He didn't just crush the Scousers, but he also crushed the Blues :(
I see what you are saying though. He is a good squad player to have. He also can play in a lot of positions, which is a pro for him.
But do you trust him playing all 90 minutes?
It depends which position he's in abd who against to be honest. Him at right back against Roma isn't that bad IMO.
Every team needs a player like him, you have it in Makalele. He chips in with a goal every now and then too, which I'll never complain about. He's no Roy Keane, but he's no Djemba-Djemba either!
Why all the name changes, it's gay. :mellow:
Soon as Huntelaar signs for Man Yoo I'm changing your name :w00t
Guillermo
31-03-2007, 20:45
Soon as Huntelaar signs for Man Yoo I'm changing your name :w00t
And as soon as the GTA character's name is revealed, you can change my name :ninja:
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 21:59
And as soon as the GTA character's name is revealed, you can change my name :ninja:
So the previous one was called "Haribo"???
Guillermo
31-03-2007, 22:15
So the previous one was called "Haribo"???
I wasn't registered here when San Andreas came out, Milky Joseph.
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 22:18
I wasn't registered here when San Andreas came out, Milky Joseph.
I was joking with you ;)
So, poor United performance and a 4-1 win. Sign of champions, no?
I have just watched the highlights for today's game and I've got to say that our midfield was excellent. I would say that we have nearly got a world class midfield for next season, if we sign one more midfielder for next season I think it will be perfect. Obviously at the start of the season I was worried because we only had Giggs and Ronaldo that were match fit. Scholes had been out for most of last season but has come back and been fantastic, Carrick has been brilliant and for me his signing has been pretty much justified, Park has been one of the best players over the last few months. Also a special mention for Fletcher and O'Shea, neither of them have been amazing but they haven't been poor either, they have done a job when asked and should be kept for next season. As I said get rid of Richardson and bring in one more midfielder and a striker and our squad is looking good for next season.
vanNistelrooy
31-03-2007, 22:53
Spot on.
That goal alone justified Carrick's price tag for me :) Well, maybe not :tongue:
He has formed a great partnership with Scholes though.
Spot on.
That goal alone justified Carrick's price tag for me :) Well, maybe not :tongue:
He has formed a great partnership with Scholes though.
Yeah him and Scholes seem like a brilliant partnership. At the start of the season I was a bit worried about the midfields depth but if we are in 3 major competitions still they must be doing something right.
Yeah him and Scholes seem like a brilliant partnership. At the start of the season I was a bit worried about the midfields depth but if we are in 3 major competitions still they must be doing something right.
Yeah not getting injured! We definitely need to sign another quality centre mid, and possibly a winger as we have been lucky with injuries really. As soon as either Carrick or Scholes is out, we don't have anyone of real quality to replace them. As mentioned O'Shea and Fletcher have done a job to a certain extent, but who would feel comfortable having to rely on either to partner Carrick or Scholes against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge or Roma in the CL?
As for Richardson, he's the only player I want to see leave at hte end of the season. O'Shea and Fletcher are good squad players to come in, however I just don't rate Richardson. What about Foster for next season then? Although he is obviously quality and a worthy replacement for VDS when the time comes, I think he will benefit far more from being loaned out again next season, whatever the implications are for getting another in should Kuszczak not stay longer than his current loan deal.
Good performance today as far as I saw on MOTD highlights. Our link up play in the centre of the Park was excellent at times.
RE: Roma, I would play Brown at CB and O'Shea RB. Although Brown would be better to counter Mancini his best position is CB, and Heinze just isn't good enough at winning headers to replace Vidic in there.
Yeah not getting injured! We definitely need to sign another quality centre mid, and possibly a winger as we have been lucky with injuries really. As soon as either Carrick or Scholes is out, we don't have anyone of real quality to replace them. As mentioned O'Shea and Fletcher have done a job to a certain extent, but who would feel comfortable having to rely on either to partner Carrick or Scholes against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge or Roma in the CL?
As for Richardson, he's the only player I want to see leave at hte end of the season. O'Shea and Fletcher are good squad players to come in, however I just don't rate Richardson. What about Foster for next season then? Although he is obviously quality and a worthy replacement for VDS when the time comes, I think he will benefit far more from being loaned out again next season, whatever the implications are for getting another in should Kuszczak not stay longer than his current loan deal.
Good performance today as far as I saw on MOTD highlights. Our link up play in the centre of the Park was excellent at times.
RE: Roma, I would play Brown at CB and O'Shea RB. Although Brown would be better to counter Mancini his best position is CB, and Heinze just isn't good enough at winning headers to replace Vidic in there.
I agree with all of that post except the bolded part at the bottom. Heinze might be short guy but this is deceptive as he has a great leap on him and when he plays for Argentina in that position he does a good job rarely losing a header.
And as soon as the GTA character's name is revealed, you can change my name :ninja:
It was on Wikipedia the other day, but is no more. It was something like Sergei Vovonovich.
EDIT: Here it be.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Villonovich
AgentZero
01-04-2007, 09:13
Yeah not getting injured! We definitely need to sign another quality centre mid, and possibly a winger as we have been lucky with injuries really. As soon as either Carrick or Scholes is out, we don't have anyone of real quality to replace them. As mentioned O'Shea and Fletcher have done a job to a certain extent, but who would feel comfortable having to rely on either to partner Carrick or Scholes against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge or Roma in the CL?
As for Richardson, he's the only player I want to see leave at hte end of the season. O'Shea and Fletcher are good squad players to come in, however I just don't rate Richardson. What about Foster for next season then? Although he is obviously quality and a worthy replacement for VDS when the time comes, I think he will benefit far more from being loaned out again next season, whatever the implications are for getting another in should Kuszczak not stay longer than his current loan deal.
Good performance today as far as I saw on MOTD highlights. Our link up play in the centre of the Park was excellent at times.
RE: Roma, I would play Brown at CB and O'Shea RB. Although Brown would be better to counter Mancini his best position is CB, and Heinze just isn't good enough at winning headers to replace Vidic in there.
considering we just lost another key player...lucky? what are you one about?
were pretty thin upfront aswell
It was on Wikipedia the other day, but is no more. It was something like Sergei Vovonovich.
EDIT: Here it be.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Villonovich
Yeah, I saw that the other day and tried to post it when Haribo said that. However I couldn't find it, I thought I was going mentally insane. :huh:
As for Vidic's injury, he'll be back next week. It's Nemanja Vidic we're talking about here, he can just run these sorts of injuries off. ;)
I definetely agree with Mambo though, we're in desperate need of a cover for Centre-Midfield. Scholesy often gets banned on several occasions a season, and another player could be used for that alone, nevermind injuries.
AgentZero
01-04-2007, 11:59
its a broken collarbone....
well if hargreaves' transfer does materialise i can see SAF playing a 4-5-1 again..itll be difficult to drop eitehr Carrick, Scholes or Hargreaves.
its a broken collarbone....
well if hargreaves' transfer does materialise i can see SAF playing a 4-5-1 again..itll be difficult to drop eitehr Carrick, Scholes or Hargreaves.
You obviously don't know Nemanja Vidic then. ;)
considering we just lost another key player...lucky? what are you one about?
were pretty thin upfront aswell
Up until recent weeks we have been lucky with injuries, and is the main reason we've been strong all season as on many occasions we've had our best 11 available to pick to play. It's why we're sat at the top of the Premiership. It's certainly not because we have so much quality in depth. Our problems up front are our own doing, any fool (and plenty of us did) point out the shite we'd get in if Saha and Solskjaer carried on their injury proneness, and with Smith only returning from a broken leg it's no fucking surprise we're short up front. But then I'm not blaming SAF, I think he was waiting to get his man, or at least identify the perfect RVN replacement rather than panic buy a flop, which I respect. And thus far it appears to be working.
Heinze might be short guy but this is deceptive as he has a great leap on him and when he plays for Argentina in that position he does a good job rarely losing a header.
Heinze may have a good leap on him, but it does come down to size and presence in certain situations and I just feel Wes is more equipped to deal with this aspect.
well if hargreaves' transfer does materialise i can see SAF playing a 4-5-1 again..itll be difficult to drop eitehr Carrick, Scholes or Hargreaves.
This is what worries me about the Hargreaves transfer. I want the deal to go through because he's quality and will add extra bite in games when needed. However trying to fit him in with Carrick and Scholes just won't work. But how can you justify dropping either of the two £18-odd million signings you've made? And dropping Scholes is not an option. 4-5-1 just doesn't work for United, we've proved in recent years when we were fucking about with the formation that this doesn't work for us. If SAF has Barcelona style formation in his mind then fine that looks good on paper but it won't work for United in practice.
Yeah, I saw that the other day and tried to post
I definetely agree with Mambo though, we're in desperate need of a cover for Centre-Midfield. Scholesy often gets banned on several occasions a season, and another player could be used for that alone, nevermind injuries.
Wesley Sneijder or Hedwiges(spelling?) Maduro would be great for the centre-midfield. That Maduro guy got called up for Holland just after 3 games for ajax. And Sneijder is good at free-kicks too.
Heres what wikipedia/answers says about them:
http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Wesley+sneijder&gwp=13
http://www.answers.com/topic/hedwiges-maduro
I know these are not enough to back me but they are really good centre-midfielders.
EDIT: Here are two videos
Sneijder:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=T9cgsCTjNOY
http://youtube.com/watch?v=C8nZDQJQRdY
I would take Wesley Sneijder over Owen Hargreaves anyday of the week. Owen Hargreaves is pretty overated and would cost shitloads whereas Wesley Sneijder is underated as he has the ability to become a world class player.
AgentZero
01-04-2007, 23:09
Hargreaves still has his merit and to call him overrated is bit much.
i still reckon keep tabs on that Yannick player he looks like a very lively forward
Also a one Craig Cathcart will travel to Rome, hes the reserves captain.
the backline for wednesday then would be
O'shea Brown/Heinze Ferdinand Evra/Heinze with cathcart in the subs
skullverine
02-04-2007, 08:41
but Sneijder is too tiny(imo) for the premiership
AgentZero
02-04-2007, 09:32
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=418200&cc=3436
bit rich italian players warning ronaldo that the ref wont protect him
but Sneijder is too tiny(imo) for the premiership
Scholes?
I would take Wesley Sneijder over Owen Hargreaves anyday of the week. Owen Hargreaves is pretty overated and would cost shitloads whereas Wesley Sneijder is underated as he has the ability to become a world class player.
Me too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by meecrob
but Sneijder is too tiny(imo) for the premiership
size doesn't make a big difference there are lots of good short players in the premiership like Scholesy, SWP(though he hasn't been playing too much lately),Michael Oen etc...
Sneijder is reallly good.
AgentZero
02-04-2007, 22:18
tim cahill is small and hes brillian in the box
vanNistelrooy
03-04-2007, 08:35
He's a prick.
He can fuck off.
AgentZero
03-04-2007, 09:01
im not sayin we shoudl get him just another example of a small player succeeding in the premiership
AgentZero
03-04-2007, 09:01
im not sayin we shoudl get him just another example of a small player succeeding in the premiership
Viperized
03-04-2007, 13:17
Cahill isn't as small as Sneijder though.
pistolpete
03-04-2007, 13:44
So what do you ManU fans make of that prat Rio lashing the ball into his own fans on saturday?
Just about summed him up for me.
Well it just shows that he has passion for the club and that he shouldn't be put up front.
AgentZero
03-04-2007, 13:53
he was a twat...but if i were him id give the people some free shirts and try and get a corp-hosp-box ...to make up for the broken nose....good thing it wasnt ronaldo the ball would of bobbled and hit someone who probably wasnt paying attention
he was a twat...but if i were him id give the people some free shirts and try and get a corp-hosp-box ...to make up for the broken nose
Well I know that Fergie made him write them a letter apologising and I expect he will send them some free stuff.
AgentZero
03-04-2007, 13:55
i wouldnt mind a free kit or two..or even the club parka
hazman79
03-04-2007, 13:58
but Sneijder is too tiny(imo) for the premiership
Zola, Malbranque, Scholes, Defoe, Kinklanzie, Benito Carbone, SWP, Makalelle, Cashly, Alan Wright, Paul Parker, Martins, Owen, Luis Garcia...
AgentZero
03-04-2007, 13:59
i think we've settled th efact size doesnt matter in the EPL
pistolpete
03-04-2007, 14:00
I was at a game years ago, at Wimbledon watching Newcastle and Shearer was doing shooting practice and hit some young kid in the head with a thunderbolt.
Shearer went straight up to him, gave him his shirt , boots and the ball.
Nice touch.
AgentZero
03-04-2007, 14:02
:laugh: and that kid grew up to be Jonny2J.....
Sir Alex Ferguson's know that quality kids don't always achieve their full potential - that's why he's always ready to splash out on quality players. It's a policy that Arsene Wenger could learn from.
'Ferguson knows a squad is never good enough that it can’t be improved and that a squad should never be allowed to stagnate, even if it means breaking the bank to sometimes buy blanks'
After the 1998 World Cup, that respected football magazine FourFourTwo (issue 48), predicted an England squad for 2002, stating beside its selection which clubs these players should be with at the relevant time.
Of the line-up named, the article predicted Richard Wright of Liverpool starting alongside Kevin Davis of Blackburn. Davis was named ahead of Alan Shearer, who was supposed to be playing for Inter Milan. Among the squad members were David Lucas of Manchester United, Danny Granville of Leeds, Riccardo Scimeca of Arsenal, Steve Watson of Newcastle, Nigel Quashie of Blackburn and Darren Huckerby of Spurs. By the way, Roy Hodgson was named England manager.
Every issue of that same magazine has a feature called “The Boy’s a Bit Special”, listing any footballer with the potential to make it big. Some predictions have been right, but many of these players have disappeared into oblivion.
I generally have no objection to reading articles that predict the future. I think it’s all a bit of fun to speculate about what could be -- except that it does bring to mind that stark reminder of an often-quoted line by Linus van Pelt from the comic Peanuts: “In all this world, there is no heavier burden than a great potential.”
Every player who has been tagged with being able to reach a certain level of excellence knows two things. The first is that he needs to meet expectations and even exceed them if he is to remain relevant to his team. In this context, the demise of Richard Wright stands as a good case study.
The second is that at any time, there may emerge another player with greater abilities to replace him. Since the publication of that magazine nine years ago, some precocious English talent has emerged that has raised the bar of English expectations – namely Wayne Rooney, who became an England regular even before his complexion was broken by acne. Following him will come the likes of David Nugent, Micah Richards, Aaron Lennon and Stewart Downing, who will all relegate many of yesterday’s potentials to the confines of memories and “what could have been”.
The lesson of the article, especially for any football manager, is that nothing beats planning for the “here and now”. Horoscopes and Nostradamus are nice to read, but are inapplicable to the demands of the present. So managers like Arsene Wenger, who likes to gamble on potential, run the risk that little or, at worst, none of his future prodigies will actually cut it in when their time actually comes. Over the last two seasons, some key adverse results have hit his squad, built on youngsters from several seasons past -- proving the fallacy of Wenger’s plans.
Successful managers know that the key to success is to buy now for what is immediately needed, not wait and buy for the future. Hope is a nice thing to have, but success is even nicer. Ultimately, you need a team that can deliver during crunch time -- and nothing beats amassing a team of capable players who are up to the job today. Kids with potential, for all they promise, are just not up to the task.
This probably explains why Alan Hansen muttered that often-quoted line: “You never win anything with kids”. Although that comment has been plugged as being too hasty in the light of what Manchester United achieved, it must be viewed in its context.
When United were powering their way to a league title fielding the likes of a very young Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers and David Beckham, each was considered good enough to play regular first-team football. They were playing beside battle-hardened players like Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, Dennis Irwin, Brian McClair and of course, Eric Cantona. So good were the kids that they were keeping out established internationals like Paul Parker, Karel Poborsky and Andrei Kanchelskis.
None of those players, like Wenger likes to do, was bought with the intention of them learning in the reserves, getting the occasional game in the League or in a competition deemed meaningless and secondary by their very own manager. None of them, like Theo Walcott, was bought only to be left on the bench to wait for an opportunity when Thierry Henry gets crocked.
Yet throughout the reign of those Manchester United kids, manager Alex Ferguson never hesitated to buy big-money players for the here-and-now. Of course, there were high-profile flops who drew severe criticisms. Critics sounded Sir Alex’s death knell when he abandoned the 4-4-2 formation, signed the likes of Juan Sebastián Verón and Diego Forlán and disposed of Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy (reference Kevin McCarra, 'Ferguson's knack has failed him in signing flops and misfits', published in The Guardian, Tuesday September 27, 2005).
But that hasn’t stopped Fergie from marching towards yet another League title and a possible Treble this season. He has already shown signs that next season he will jettison Louis Saha, as indicated by Gary Neville’s snide remarks at Celtic and the unexpected arrival of Henrik Larsson. Also, all the signs are that despite a current functioning midfield that includes internationals like John O’Shea, Park Ji-Sung, Kieran Richardson and Darren Fletcher, Sir Alex he will re-tweak his midfield with the imminent arrival of the very-established Owen Hargreaves.
Ferguson’s moves are very reminiscent of that outstanding Liverpool manager of the late-1970s and early 1980s, Bob Paisley. Like Sir Alex, Bob was never happy to let a settled squad remain settled, despite delivering him title after title. As an example, despite boasting Phil Thompson and Alan Hansen in the middle of a defence that once only let in 16 goals in 42 league games, he brought in the incomparable Mark Lawrenson. With Lawrenson, Liverpool gathered even more silverware, including a European Cup.
Like Paisley, Ferguson knows never to allow players to rest on their laurels, even if they have all the potential in the world. As a manager, he knows a squad is never good enough that it can’t be improved and that a squad should never be allowed to stagnate, even if it means breaking the bank to sometimes buy blanks. He must know that roses grow from the worst of dung heaps.
Maybe Ferguson knew what readers of that 1998 edition of FourFourTwo know today: First, that potential, no matter how good it is, may never actually fulfil itself. In this respect, see the footnote in history citing Chris Kirkland, Danny Cadamarteri, Franny Jeffers and all of the names mentioned earlier in this article on the potential England squad for World Cup 2002.
Second, that if something new comes along in the interim, it must be possessed. So, irrespective of the strength of his squad, expect Sir Alex this summer to go for (other than Hargreaves) Dimitar Berbatov, Fernando Torres and anyone else who shows he has something Sir Alex needs now
thoughts?
hazman79
03-04-2007, 14:12
Fair enough, it was an interesting few minutes thinking back through the Prem though, some of the goals Zola scored, and that goal Kinkladzie scored for City against Southampton where he skinned about five players and chipped the keeper. All good stuff...
Anyway I think bint being hit in the face by a ball is funny, she should be paying attention.
skullverine
04-04-2007, 11:18
i think we've settled th efact size doesnt matter in the EPL
Ok
and, is Evra still out?
mufcsean
04-04-2007, 17:47
Not too sure mate, I have had £10 on United to win 1 - 3 at 28/1, lets all hope it happens
Saha is in the squad and says that he is ready to play, hopefully he is fully fit as I believe he could play a big part in this tie. If we get an away goal I would be delighted, even if they win 2-1 I would be happy as the away goal would put us in a great position to take them back to Old Trafford.
mufcsean
04-04-2007, 18:04
I wouldnt be happy if we lost 2-1 but i know what you mean i'm glad the return leg is at OT it would have been way harder to go there in the second leg
I wouldnt be happy if we lost 2-1 but i know what you mean i'm glad the return leg is at OT it would have been way harder to go there in the second leg
I probably put that wrong, I wouldn't be happy but I wouldn't be too dissapointed as I know that we are very strong at Old Trafford this season. If we got a 1-0 win I would be delighted, my prediction is 1-1 with Giggs getting our goal.
Whoever is playing at RB will need to be at there best to stop Mancini.
Seeing as were hopeless away from home, a 1-1 draw would do me fine. Hopefully Roma don't use the same tactics they used against Lyon in the 1st leg.
Viperized
04-04-2007, 18:48
I probably put that wrong, I wouldn't be happy but I wouldn't be too dissapointed as I know that we are very strong at Old Trafford this season. If we got a 1-0 win I would be delighted, my prediction is 1-1 with Giggs getting our goal.
Weren't too strong in your last CL home game though.
Lille put up a good fight.
Weren't too strong in your last CL home game though.
Lille put up a good fight.
True, our CL form hasn't been great but sooner or later we have got to start playing well and Ronaldo and Rooney will actually do something on the European stage.
Starting line-up has been confirmed,
Van der Sar
Brown
Ferdinand
O'Shea
Heinze
Ronaldo
Carrick
Scholes
Giggs
Rooney
Solskjaer
Pretty happy with the line-up apart from O'Shea at centre back although it might end up him playing left back and Heinze in the middle. The midfield is full strength and Solskjaer experience could be valuable in this tie.
Viperized
04-04-2007, 20:43
TADDEI!!
Great work by Totti and Mancini. 1-0 Roma!
Disappointed that Scholes got sent off AGAIN. We have to keep it tight at the back and make do with a 1-0 loss to keep our hopes of progessing alive.
nickpring
04-04-2007, 20:45
shame about the trouble in the crowd again, that poor guy!
trust the italian police to do something like that.
What a shit night, Scholes getting sent off (I think he wanted to), Taddei goal deflects in which pissed me off, Perotta and Taddei diving and our fans getting absolutely battered by some greasy Italians.
shame about the trouble in the crowd again, that poor guy!
trust the italian police to do something like that.You seem to be ignoring the fact the Man Yoo fans also got wound up by the Roma fans.
The Man Utd fans were asking for it by taking the bait. The police were ridiculously heavy handed by swinging blindly with their batons but if the fans were stupid enough to charge at the barrier then it's their own stupid fault.
United got Mirked.
:mellow:
2-1 is a good result to take back to Old Trafford.
vanNistelrooy
04-04-2007, 21:50
TADDEI!!
Great work by Totti and Mancini. 1-0 Roma!
You seem over excited? Why aren't you watching Arsenal in Europe this week? ;)
You seem to be ignoring the fact the Man Yoo fans also got wound up by the Roma fans.
Couldn't see any United fans with all those police beating the shit out of them. Did they forget to put any in with the Roma fans? :rolleyes:
2-1 is a good result to take back to Old Trafford.
True, considering what happened. When Scholes got sent off I thought we were going to be hammered but the defence did well to hold out.
Don Sweey
04-04-2007, 22:02
Considering a policeman got killed about two months ago the United fans should've been smart enough to know what would happen if they were to display any aggressive behaviour. Aside from the fact they were stupid enough to take the bait it is their own fault and from what we saw, they were banging the barrier between the fans. Of course, not nice of the Roma fans to wind the United fans up in the first instance.
Strangely no such trouble at Milan-Bayern yesterday. Read into that what you will.
Good result for United overall, Roma needed the third and showed real inexperience to allow United the opportunities which culminated in Rooney's excellent finish.
Second bloody European away game in a row we've been pumelled by stupidly baton-frenzy foreign police. That poor fucking United fan laying helpless on the floor, when a fat cunt of a policeman walses over and canes the United fan "7" times in the head despite already being on the floor. 7 damn times, what was he trying to accomplish ? To be honest, he deserves to die, the battered fan was bleeding everywhere, couldn't walk. It literally angers and sickens me.
Considering a policeman got killed about two months ago the United fans should've been smart enough to know what would happen if they were to display any aggressive behaviour. Aside from the fact they were stupid enough to take the bait it is their own fault and from what we saw, they were banging the barrier between the fans. Of course, not nice of the Roma fans to wind the United fans up in the first instance.
Roma are no different to United, they did exactly the same thing, however their fans instigated the whole situation. Yes, United shouldn't have retaliated but in no way should they be singled out and beaten half to death. If my eyes weren't deceiving me, the Roma fans were slamming the barriers 'before' the United fans even reached the barrier. I highly doubt Roma would have even done such a thing if the police were on their side of the barrier, but it just doesn't go like that I guess.
AgentZero
04-04-2007, 22:23
and the mayor of Rome says Rome is the safest place in terms of watching your team play!
anyways, it was gut-wrenching poor display, ROmas defence are beyond any of the premiership. Kept Rooney, ROnaldo and Solksjaer very quiet.
I dont see 2-1 as a bad result, we can still get through at home, lets hope the boys turn up to play aswell.
As someone mentioned earlier we are missing very key player in from key positions against Roma. Would of been nice to see Gaz defend against Mancini and Vida against Totti/Vucinic, their second goal was painful
vanNistelrooy
04-04-2007, 22:26
Italian police.
Nothing they do surprise me.
They warned the England fans about the Roma fans when it should of been about the Italian police. Both fans were bashing against the plastic barrier yet they decided to attack the United fans not the Roma ones. What a surprise. :huh:
and the mayor of Rome says Rome is the safest place in terms of watching your team play!
anyways, it was gut-wrenching poor display, ROmas defence are beyond any of the premiership. Kept Rooney, ROnaldo and Solksjaer very quiet.
I dont see 2-1 as a bad result, we can still get through at home, lets hope the boys turn up to play aswell.
As someone mentioned earlier we are missing very key player in from key positions against Roma. Would of been nice to see Gaz defend against Mancini and Vida against Totti/Vucinic, their second goal was painful
Gut-wrenching poor display ?
Definetely over the top considering the circumstances, of being a man down in the first half and having several key players out. I'm just glad we got to 2-1 rather than simply 1-0 with no away goal. Having the likes of Fletcher and O'Shea ending a match against Roma will never bode well and I think we didn't do too bad. The result probably reflected the play, possibly a third for Roma would have made it slightly more fair for them but we done okay. No Vidic, Neville or Evra, and that's the defence alone. Then having Scholes sent off screwed things up even more, then Saha coming on after his recovery from injury.
As for the Roma defence keeping Ronaldo hushed all game, I doubt that. Ronaldo done quite well and covered a lot of distance when he got hold of the ball, that to me isn't good defending on Roma's part. He skipped many failed tackles on their behalf and helped produce the goal which Rooney scored too.
Viperized
04-04-2007, 22:35
You seem over excited? Why aren't you watching Arsenal in Europe this week? ;)
Since its likely Man United are going to win the Premiership, I wouldn't want them to win the Champions League. :P
vanNistelrooy
04-04-2007, 22:36
Since its likely Man United are going to win the Premiership, I wouldn't want them to win the Champions League. :P
No worries about that, we won't win it.
I'd give up our cup places right now if it meant we won the league.
vanNistelrooy
04-04-2007, 22:40
Just watching "You're on Sky Sports" and a couple of Scousers are ringing up etc in defence of the United fans.
For the few decent Scousers out there, kudos.
Hopefully next week neither Fletcher or O'Shea will have to start. Evra should be back and can slot into defence meaning it would look like this,
Brown--Rio--Heinze--Evra
-------------------------
---Park--Carrick--Giggs---
-------------------------
-Ronaldo--Saha--Rooney-
That's just me hoping though, Giggs has proved that he can do well in midfield and hopefully Park will be fit. No doubt Fergie will play Fletcher though.
Don Sweey
04-04-2007, 22:43
Why do Italian police only have to act when English fans come over? Makes me wonder considering the Italian police are blamed every single time. Like I said, no problem with the Germans yesterday.
United will still qualify with relative ease. Roma aren't experienced enough to perform well at Old Trafford and Totti will go missing. They may have done a good job at Lyon but I don't believe they can repeat the feat.
Why do Italian police only have to act when English fans come over? Makes me wonder considering the Italian police are blamed every single time. Like I said, no problem with the Germans yesterday
United will still qualify with relative ease. Roma aren't experienced enough to perform well at Old Trafford and Totti will go missing. They may have done a good job at Lyon but I don't believe they can repeat the feat.
Who's fault was it that the United fans got battered ? I'm not meaning to be disrespectful but it was the Roma fans that started the whole riot, along with the police who seemed to have more fun out of almost killing the fans as opposed to pushing them back. How did you expect the United fans to react to the ridiculous taunting from the Roma fans ?
Don Sweey
04-04-2007, 22:54
Who's fault was it that the United fans got battered ? I'm not meaning to be disrespectful but it was the Roma fans that started the whole riot, along with the police who seemed to have more fun out of almost killing the fans as opposed to pushing them back. How did you expect the United fans to react to the ridiculous taunting from the Roma fans ?
By being smart enough to realise they're going to win in the end anyway and can rub the Roma fans' faces in it once the job has been accomplished.
Like I said before: Non-English fans in Italy and there are no problems. English fans in Italy and there's always an incident. English fans in Europe generally and we get the usual stabbings etc. - although I'm talking about Middlesbrough for the most part here.
Now to be fair as well, Roma fans aren't exactly anything like saints (hardly a surprise) and I haven't made that point so far and certainly should've in my first post.
AgentZero
04-04-2007, 23:02
Gut-wrenching poor display ?
Definetely over the top considering the circumstances, of being a man down in the first half and having several key players out. I'm just glad we got to 2-1 rather than simply 1-0 with no away goal. Having the likes of Fletcher and O'Shea ending a match against Roma will never bode well and I think we didn't do too bad. The result probably reflected the play, possibly a third for Roma would have made it slightly more fair for them but we done okay. No Vidic, Neville or Evra, and that's the defence alone. Then having Scholes sent off screwed things up even more, then Saha coming on after his recovery from injury.
As for the Roma defence keeping Ronaldo hushed all game, I doubt that. Ronaldo done quite well and covered a lot of distance when he got hold of the ball, that to me isn't good defending on Roma's part. He skipped many failed tackles on their behalf and helped produce the goal which Rooney scored too.
what amde me say that was Roma was on top of us the whole game bar the little inspired comback after teh goal and then they just shut us down again
By being smart enough to realise they're going to win in the end anyway and can rub the Roma fans' faces in it once the job has been accomplished.
Like I said before: Non-English fans in Italy and there are no problems. English fans in Italy and there's always an incident. English fans in Europe generally and we get the usual stabbings etc. - although I'm talking about Middlesbrough for the most part here.
Now to be fair as well, Roma fans aren't exactly anything like saints (hardly a surprise) and I haven't made that point so far and certainly should've in my first post.
That's the thing though man, whether we win in the end is unknown as we will still have key players out. Especially Scholes now with the ban, Vidic and Neville too, it'll definetely be a challenge. I just can't see it being as easy as you're making out.
With regards to English fans and Italian fans and the trouble between. Maybe it isn't the English fans, but maybe the Italian fans having more inscentive to wind up the English ? I'm not saying that is the cause, as I really couldn't get to the bottom of this but it maybe a possibility.
Just listening to "You're on Sky Sports" which is a phone-in and text-in program. One woman has even texted in saying her husband who was in Rome working as a security warden for Manchester United. Even he was beaten by the Police and their batons despite not doing anything wrong, and if anything trying to prevent the trouble. Which in my opinion, opitimises the ridiculous actions of the Italian police, I know they're on edge since the recent death of a fellow policemen but some of their actions were simply inexcusable.
AgentZero
04-04-2007, 23:14
its teh italians i remmember watchin an Italy scotland game on TV and you could see the italians clashing with the scotts
Don Sweey
04-04-2007, 23:16
That's the thing though man, whether we win in the end is unknown as we will still have key players out. Especially Scholes now with the ban, Vidic and Neville too, it'll definetely be a challenge. I just can't see it being as easy as you're making out.
Personally have no doubts about your qualification although I can understand you being unsure considering the injury and suspension issues. In the event Milan pull off a miracle, we can't beat either you or Roma anyway so from that perspective it is irrelevant but I would rather face Roma as they're not as strong as United.
With regards to English fans and Italian fans and the trouble between. Maybe it isn't the English fans, but maybe the Italian fans having more inscentive to wind up the English ? I'm not saying that is the cause, as I really couldn't get to the bottom of this but it maybe a possibility.
Just listening to "You're on Sky Sports" which is a phone-in and text-in program. One woman has even texted in saying her husband who was in Rome working as a security warden for Manchester United. Even he was beaten by the Police and their batons despite not doing anything wrong, and if anything trying to prevent the trouble. Which in my opinion, opitimises the ridiculous actions of the Italian police, I know they're on edge since the recent death of a fellow policemen but some of their actions were simply inexcusable.
Not everyone tells the truth though (we know that feeling well in Italy) so although there's no reason not to believe her, I'm going to wait until I've found out more from both sides before commenting much more on it as it wouldn't be fair. I don't think we'll ever quite get to the bottom of why these things happen either. Suffice to say whilst watching they did show one particular Roma fan who left the words "slimy cunt" in my head.
I will ay that I was actually surprised by it all considering United fans tend not to strike me as troublesome the same way those of a couple of other English clubs do.
its teh italians i remmember watchin an Italy scotland game on TV and you could see the italians clashing with the scotts
LosGalacticos, care to comment on how many problems there are in Italian stadiums with fans visiting from countries other than England? Then care to compare it to various other countries and the number of times it happens in those countries (with and without English fans visiting)?
Badgerman
04-04-2007, 23:22
Italian stadiums are all pretty much horribly designed.
Anyone scores... STAMPEDE WAAAAGGGGHHHHH
The fuck is it with them?
Make them safe, have proper segregation and perhaps have the home fans divided into sections instead of one large mass of hooligans.
Throwing bottles of piss was very nice of the Roma fans though.
Also, I remember some Celtic people going on about AC Milan fans being all round scummy. Which I suppose is unerstandable when you look at the fierce rivalry between the 2 clubs (?)
But yeah. Italian football seems dull to me, perhaps because the atmosphere seems dull with the fans being a long way from the pitch.
Roma look like a very average team, I really don't see them doing much away from their all round dodgyness with the ballboys and players begging for cards and all that.
I'm trying to think of the last time there was scenes of fans getting battered over here. But yer, nothing. We're all hyper-sensitive these days, that "brawl" at the end of the Carling Cup is as ugly as it gets here.
I'd rather Real Madrid got into the Quarter finals than Roma. They're fun to watch :]
Interesting fact, I have found Bayern Munich to be one of the better teams to watch this year.
I even cheered when they scored right at the death last night. I'll chalk it down to Hargreaves love.
Van Buyten <3 shh
Personally have no doubts about your qualification although I can understand you being unsure considering the injury and suspension issues. In the event Milan pull off a miracle, we can't beat either you or Roma anyway so from that perspective it is irrelevant but I would rather face Roma as they're not as strong as United.
Anyone can beat anyone on their day I believe, I remember we got battered about 3-0 of York once at Old Trafford I believe. It may have been 5-0 actually, my memory is rather stale. But I think you get the idea, despite United being a very good team, great this season in fact I still imagine Roma or AC Milan for that matter being challenging.
Not everyone tells the truth thou