Manchester United Thread [2008/2009]

[mnj2x]

i think SAF is pretty much contented with the squad that won us the double last season. He doesnt seem too keen on signing players. I think he believes the same group of players can do the job for him next season as well. the only reason hes signing a striker is bcuz of Saha who is unpredictable. He plays the full 90 mins for one game and completely misses the next.

 

[MikeyM]

i think SAF is pretty much contented with the squad that won us the double last season. He doesnt seem too keen on signing players. I think he believes the same group of players can do the job for him next season as well. the only reason hes signing a striker is bcuz of Saha who is unpredictable. He plays the full 90 mins for one game and completely misses the next.

I could understand that if no-one was leaving, but Ronaldo has to be sold after his comments and we must replace him. It's a shame about Louis Saha because in addition to being a very good player he also seems like a genuinely nice guy too.

 

[Fernandez]

Keep Saha. Even though he would be useless, he is handy for a 4th/5th striker. He clearly wants to stay and if he can replicate what he has shown in 2006, that is good enough.

 

[Fernandez]

I've just settled down to watch the DVD of our glorious season, however where I should be elated - it has left me sick to my stomach.

This is down to Cristiano Ronaldo:

For every sublime bit of skill, every razor sharp pass or excorcet missile into the top corner, every celebration, every smile - his recent actions and words come into my head and it eats a hole in my stomach. It makes me sick to see him in those colours knowing the way he has disrespected them and everyone who stands for Manchester United with his behaviour. It makes me sick thinking what a player we will miss.

I try to make myself feel better by trying to convince myself that he's not that big a deal, but to do so is to be naive. Cristiano Ronaldo as slimy and conniving as he is, is currently the best player in the world and he will be hard to replace.

Hard to, but not impossible. However the longer this drags on the unlikelier it is that United will be able to get a replacement, and that is what really p*sses me off. Had Ronaldo been a man about it and asked for a transfer straight out, United would have had the whole summer to recruit the likes of Quaresma or whoever. (And perhaps, had he fessed up and made his reasons clear - we might have retained some respect for him)

That is not the case. As I write, United are a day away from leaving for South Africa and as far as I'm aware the only activity is trying to get Dimitar Berbatov in. Once the Africa tour starts, the games come thick and fast and there will be minimal time for Sir Alex and the staff to make any deals.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned. Manchester United of course will continue without Cristiano Ronaldo - but it seems to me that Sir Alex is in denial about the fact Ronaldo is no longer for all intents and purposes (barring a name on a squad list) a Manchester United player.

We have an excellent squad, we have world class talent in Rooney, Giggs and Tevez - two of the best young stars in Nani and Anderson, but take Ronaldo out, and there is a gap to be filled. Yes Nani will slot right in, but if he or Ryan Giggs was injured would you have long term faith in Darren Fletcher? Park Ji Sung is another option, but he seems injury prone - perhaps a long run on the right would be the springboard for United's Korean star.

With the likely addition of Berbatov, Rooney will be deployed wider, perhaps allowing Tevez to spearhead the attack with Berbatov in a 4-3-3?

So many questions - I hope the answers come quickly because it seems everyone is strengthening and so far all we have is the loss of Ronaldo. And that is not a nice thought.

Quaresma wouldn't cut it here. He would have become world class had he made something of his move to Barcelona. Ronaldo, technically is second to none, and when he does something that us fans do not like, we tend to say bad things about him. But let's not forget, he is still a United player. I'm split 50/50 on him, partly because of his brilliance and his devious side.

And in my opinion, I feel that we need a left-footed winger to complement the right-footers. Cheers.

 

[MikeyM]

Found this in the Citeh thread (I wanted to read them crying over Ronaldinho!) Made my day, this did.

hey ho! lets go! the unofficial epl champs (after beating scum TWICE). am looking forward to this season even more than last

All together now:

" Oh this is how it feels to be city, this is how it feels to be small ... this is how it feels to win nothing at all, nothing at all!"

Ah well, i suppose we have the Uefa Champions League and Premiership trophies to console us, eh lads!

I heard a report that thieves had broken into the Council Ground and ransacked the trophy cabinet ... police are looking for two men carrying a blue carpet!

 

[OrgulloVikingo]

So what's the deal on your beloved Ronaldo? What's the writing on the wall say? Leaving or staying? If he stays, I guarantee even the Stretford end will be cheering him after the first amazing game winning goal!

 

[Payaah]

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said the club are trying to sign one more player ahead of the new Premier League season. United have been heavily linked with Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov and Ferguson said: "We have made a bid for one player who would enhance us a great deal." (Press Association, 1527 BST)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jul/17/manchesterunited.tottenhamhotspur

Looks like United are going after Berbatov.

 

[dubcrazy]

i hope it aint berb would love to see augero come
was he voted player of the year in spain this year?

 

[Payaah]

It is actually Berbatov. Ferguson comfirmed it: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7513117.stm

I hoping it was somebody else but I will be happy with Berb. Ronaldo, I would rather we sell him its clear his heart isnt there anymore. Saying that if he stays I will support him but wont the same as last season.

 

[adedawson]

cant wait for berb he will be great. Could fit with rooney or tevez. As for Ronaldo he wont be going anywhere. Probably sold next summer if I was to take a guess.

 

[dubcrazy]

why sell him next season? he isnt going to have another season like the last well highly unlikley.
so maybe swallow pride and clean madrids bank for him now

and im i wrong but SAF confirming its Berb the source is the sun?

 

[OrgulloVikingo]

why sell him next season? he isnt going to have another season like the last well highly unlikley.
so maybe swallow pride and clean madrids bank for him now

and im i wrong but SAF confirming its Berb the source is the sun?

I agree, this is the right time to sell him. I still don't want him but it makes sense for you guys. How can you possibly have this guy after all of these shenanigans? By the way, it'll be alot of money but trust me, we have avery healthy bank account and this deal will not hurt it in the slightest. It'd be awaste of money? Sure, but well have plenty left as well

 

[MikeyM]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7514329.stm

Fergie confirms meeting with Cristiano. He's staying.

I however will still need a lot of convincing about his commitment to the cause - I mean, can we expect this again next season?

It's a good resolution because it means United have kept a player they wanted to, despite a huge campaign to turn his head (which almost worked) Ronaldo has not done himself any favours with the way he has responded to all this - in fact having dumped his girlfriend and gone on the lash in LA this week, I wonder if he is in danger of self destructing - It seems it's all gone to his head a bit too much recently.

As a player his skill and ability is not in question and if he does give 100% to the United cause next season he may go some way to winning back the high regard I had for him, personality wise however he has done a lot of damage to his reputation and standing at United.

That will take time and effort to repair - it's up to him now.

 

[Filipower]

Nice to know you're already making way towards eating your previous words

 

[b-ytter]

well the saga semse to be over and the drama queen got the attention this summer as well!
i was actually prepered that he was a lost case but if he stay it's fine by me,but he lost a lot of my respect over his statement's during the summer!
Anyway Berbatov would be a great signing!

 

[rhizome17]

I heard a report that thieves had broken into the Council Ground and ransacked the trophy cabinet ... police are looking for two men carrying a blue carpet!

yeah, Gary Neville and Patricia Evra - both of whom showed their true colours when playing against us.

 

[MikeyM]

Nice to know you're already making way towards eating your previous words

As I said, it's up to him and how he handles himself as a United player. I have never cast aspersions on his talent and skill - my issues are with the way he has conducted himself this summer and it has put a big question mark on his commitment to the club.

If Cristiano proves himself to be committed to United then that will go a long way to restore my faith in him - the proof will be seen in time.


I'm glad the whole thing is over anyway.

I see Spurs are reporting us and Liverpool to the FA over our pursuit of Berbatov and Keane. I'm actually quite surprised Sir Alex mentioned Berbatov by name, although he was confirming we had actually made a bid. I really do think that teams should not talk about other clubs' players until a concrete bid is made and the club are aware of the interest.

Benitez on the other hand, has been following the Real Madrid book - his pursuit of Gareth Barry was disgraceful. He'd gone on about it for weeks before even putting a bid in. He's been doing the same with Keane.

 

[Hans]

,but he lost a lot of my respect over his statement's during the summer!

Awww, quit it really, the kid scored 42 goals last season and probably he was 75% of the reason why we won doubles last year, he can say whatever the **** he wants since he has proven from matches to matches that he gave it all for us...

Seriously, as I said before, any so called United fan that bashes and dishes him for only stating his mind are a bunch of ungrateful ****s....

 

[b-ytter]

any so called United fan that bashes and dishes him for only stating his mind are a bunch of ungrateful ****s....

if u think i am ungrateful ,so be it!
Still think he acted like a twat! but by all means ,he is the reason we got the throphy's last season but i would not give him a blowjob for that reason!

 

[Hans]

if u think i am ungrateful ,so be it!
Still think he acted like a twat!

He is a twat and you should've known it from the first day he wore our shirt and making a fool out of every opponent... FFS, had he played for another club he would be the player we hate the most...

On that note, most Man United and former players have a bit of "twat" in them, like Cantona, Keane, etc, Ronaldo just continuing the never ending list of brilliant, arrogant, "raping your ass big time" twats in Manchester United....