soccerbest
Starting XI
Dun rate him, anyway we need established players, not just potential youngster really. 
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Manchester United Thread
- Thread starter shokz
- Start date
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soccerbest
Starting XI
Wilf McGuinness uges fans to back the team up
It hasn’t been the best of weeks if you’re a United fan. To witness your team give the ball away so wastefully against Porto last Wednesday, albeit salvaging a retrievable 2-1 result, and then to see more points dropped against Fulham on Saturday, leaving us a disconcerting nine points adrift of Arsenal, is difficult to take.
Sir Alex, now being called The Tinkerman among other names in the press, and the team have come in for plenty of criticism in the past few days. I was reading the Sunday Telegraph’s sport section, and even Parkinson is having a dig!
But, as certain quarters of the press, less fond of Fergie than you and I, sharpen the knives, this is a time to do what Manchester United do so well; play on in the face of adversity and refuse to give up.
On Saturday we were away from home - Fulham are a decent side and they work hard, but we had enough in our tank to win the match. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ryan Giggs and Tim Howard were on the bench, but even so, I felt the team we put out was doing enough in the first half to get the three points. We started really well. We were passing the ball around confidently and could have lead 1-0 inside the first ten seconds.
Although Roy Keane dropped back into defence, the defenders who have in recent weeks been looking a bit of worry, looked comfortable. In fairness, the back four looked solid 90% of the time. Wes Brown looks as though he has started to find his form. Boa Morte went round him for the goal, but he’s a handful and is likely to get chances against you. It was unfortunate, Wes still isn’t quite there yet, but he made a huge improvement on Saturday. That’s important. We know what he is capable of.
Penalty Decision
It was an obvious penalty. The referee tried to defend his decision afterwards, but it was a penalty, no question. Van der Sar took Louis Saha out of the game. Louis was clean through on goal so if he could have done, he would have stayed on his feet.
When you are perhaps not on top form and hoping for a change of fortune - that one bit of luck - as we are now, that is the time when things tend to go against you. Never mind the penalty decision, the corner that immediately preceded Fulham’s goal, shouldn’t have been a corner. It was clear to everyone that John O’Shea headed the ball against the Fulham player. Darren Fletcher got caught in possession which led more directly to the goal, but it’s small things like that that don’t go your way when confidence is down.
Fletcher, unfortunately, has been getting some criticism recently. But, as I’ve said in my column in the past, these players need matches and experience for the betterment of their career and for United in the future. Short-term, there may be the odd mistake, but long-term the young players will learn so much from their experience in the first team and become much better players for it. That’s clearly evident with Ronaldo, he had that original flash of brilliance at the start of the season, but then dipped as he adapted to football in England. But, because of Sir Alex’s persistence in giving him first-team experience, he is beginning to really blossom.
People are anxious to dish out criticism when these players come in, but our top players need to rest – as Giggs, van Nistelrooy and Howard, who have all only missed a handful of games all season, did on Saturday.
In the last three matches, we have relinquished our hold the game by giving up 1-0 leads. Against Leeds, Porto and Fulham on Saturday, we have gone 1-0 up, and then not taken advantage of it. There is obviously a lack of confidence among the players. In that situation you’re thinking ‘if we can hold on to this scoreline we’ve got the result’. It’s a dangerous game to play, but one that is caused by a lack of confidence.
Trophy Chances
I won’t be having a bet on us winning the title. But I will still have a bet that we’ll win a trophy. The Premiership title will take some winning now, but we’re still capable of doing it. One of the intrinsic traits of Manchester United teams, the club and the supporters is the unwillingness to give-up.
Arsenal haven’t played great football all season, but things have gone their way, while it’s almost gone the opposite way for us. They got off lightly after the fracas at Old Trafford, and they’ve picked up points this season when, perhaps on another day, they wouldn’t have done so. But, not losing a game all season is a tremendous feat. I don’t mind continuing to say that and we’ll see what happens in the next 11 games.
I’d say the FA Cup is now our most likely source of silverware. We’re certainly better-placed to win that competition than the Premiership or Champions League. But, what annoys me is the way the media whip up a frenzy around the team. Some fans get drawn in by that.
Back The Team
The manager has received a bit of criticism recently. You have to remember though, nobody has done more for this club, not even Matt Busby, when it comes to winning trophies.
When things go against you, the fans play such a vital role. It’s absolutely crucial. And United fans have proved that in the past. You’ve just got to think about 1999, arguably the greatest moment in the club’s history, nearly all of those games were out of adversity. The support of the fans that season was fantastic. That isn’t to say we’re going to win the Treble this season, but it’s evidence of how important a role the fans can play. The team needs, and I’m sure it will get, that same support at a time when things perhaps aren’t going so well.
The media, who largely have a dislike for the manager, are just hoping for the bad times so they can get the knives out. A lot of people are enjoying things not going our way. That is what happens when you are at the top for so long. Your critics are just waiting for you to slip up. I’d urge the fans to put their full support behind the team, and make those people wait a lot longer.
http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=54292&itype=466&icategoryid=446
It hasn’t been the best of weeks if you’re a United fan. To witness your team give the ball away so wastefully against Porto last Wednesday, albeit salvaging a retrievable 2-1 result, and then to see more points dropped against Fulham on Saturday, leaving us a disconcerting nine points adrift of Arsenal, is difficult to take.
Sir Alex, now being called The Tinkerman among other names in the press, and the team have come in for plenty of criticism in the past few days. I was reading the Sunday Telegraph’s sport section, and even Parkinson is having a dig!
But, as certain quarters of the press, less fond of Fergie than you and I, sharpen the knives, this is a time to do what Manchester United do so well; play on in the face of adversity and refuse to give up.
On Saturday we were away from home - Fulham are a decent side and they work hard, but we had enough in our tank to win the match. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ryan Giggs and Tim Howard were on the bench, but even so, I felt the team we put out was doing enough in the first half to get the three points. We started really well. We were passing the ball around confidently and could have lead 1-0 inside the first ten seconds.
Although Roy Keane dropped back into defence, the defenders who have in recent weeks been looking a bit of worry, looked comfortable. In fairness, the back four looked solid 90% of the time. Wes Brown looks as though he has started to find his form. Boa Morte went round him for the goal, but he’s a handful and is likely to get chances against you. It was unfortunate, Wes still isn’t quite there yet, but he made a huge improvement on Saturday. That’s important. We know what he is capable of.
Penalty Decision
It was an obvious penalty. The referee tried to defend his decision afterwards, but it was a penalty, no question. Van der Sar took Louis Saha out of the game. Louis was clean through on goal so if he could have done, he would have stayed on his feet.
When you are perhaps not on top form and hoping for a change of fortune - that one bit of luck - as we are now, that is the time when things tend to go against you. Never mind the penalty decision, the corner that immediately preceded Fulham’s goal, shouldn’t have been a corner. It was clear to everyone that John O’Shea headed the ball against the Fulham player. Darren Fletcher got caught in possession which led more directly to the goal, but it’s small things like that that don’t go your way when confidence is down.
Fletcher, unfortunately, has been getting some criticism recently. But, as I’ve said in my column in the past, these players need matches and experience for the betterment of their career and for United in the future. Short-term, there may be the odd mistake, but long-term the young players will learn so much from their experience in the first team and become much better players for it. That’s clearly evident with Ronaldo, he had that original flash of brilliance at the start of the season, but then dipped as he adapted to football in England. But, because of Sir Alex’s persistence in giving him first-team experience, he is beginning to really blossom.
People are anxious to dish out criticism when these players come in, but our top players need to rest – as Giggs, van Nistelrooy and Howard, who have all only missed a handful of games all season, did on Saturday.
In the last three matches, we have relinquished our hold the game by giving up 1-0 leads. Against Leeds, Porto and Fulham on Saturday, we have gone 1-0 up, and then not taken advantage of it. There is obviously a lack of confidence among the players. In that situation you’re thinking ‘if we can hold on to this scoreline we’ve got the result’. It’s a dangerous game to play, but one that is caused by a lack of confidence.
Trophy Chances
I won’t be having a bet on us winning the title. But I will still have a bet that we’ll win a trophy. The Premiership title will take some winning now, but we’re still capable of doing it. One of the intrinsic traits of Manchester United teams, the club and the supporters is the unwillingness to give-up.
Arsenal haven’t played great football all season, but things have gone their way, while it’s almost gone the opposite way for us. They got off lightly after the fracas at Old Trafford, and they’ve picked up points this season when, perhaps on another day, they wouldn’t have done so. But, not losing a game all season is a tremendous feat. I don’t mind continuing to say that and we’ll see what happens in the next 11 games.
I’d say the FA Cup is now our most likely source of silverware. We’re certainly better-placed to win that competition than the Premiership or Champions League. But, what annoys me is the way the media whip up a frenzy around the team. Some fans get drawn in by that.
Back The Team
The manager has received a bit of criticism recently. You have to remember though, nobody has done more for this club, not even Matt Busby, when it comes to winning trophies.
When things go against you, the fans play such a vital role. It’s absolutely crucial. And United fans have proved that in the past. You’ve just got to think about 1999, arguably the greatest moment in the club’s history, nearly all of those games were out of adversity. The support of the fans that season was fantastic. That isn’t to say we’re going to win the Treble this season, but it’s evidence of how important a role the fans can play. The team needs, and I’m sure it will get, that same support at a time when things perhaps aren’t going so well.
The media, who largely have a dislike for the manager, are just hoping for the bad times so they can get the knives out. A lot of people are enjoying things not going our way. That is what happens when you are at the top for so long. Your critics are just waiting for you to slip up. I’d urge the fans to put their full support behind the team, and make those people wait a lot longer.
http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=54292&itype=466&icategoryid=446
Sky Reloaded
Reserve Team
The fans will truly be tested when Porto come visiting OT. I'm betting Vitor Baia won't be too popular either.
soccerbest
Starting XI
Ruud rested becos of burn-out
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims he rested Ruud van Nistelrooy at Fulham because he feared he was showing signs of burn-out.
He was criticised for only using leading scorer Van Nistelrooy as a substitute in the 1-1 draw.
Ferguson explained: "Ruud didn't feel sharp after the game against Porto. I decided on a bit of freshness up front.
"I've said before that Ruud's been carrying the burden for a long time and it's time we started to look at that."
Ferguson said: "One of the reasons I signed Louis Saha was to ease the pressure on Ruud."
Van Nistelrooy has started 25 out of United's 27 Premiership games this season and six out of seven Champions League games, scoring 24 goals.
He will return for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham at Old Trafford, when Saha will be cup-tied against his former club.
Saha is also being nursed by Ferguson, who said: "We are having to treat Louis quite tenderly because he came to us with a calf injury and it has moved down to his heel now.
"We will have to be careful about that."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3524667.stm
Hope nothing serious to Saha injury.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims he rested Ruud van Nistelrooy at Fulham because he feared he was showing signs of burn-out.
He was criticised for only using leading scorer Van Nistelrooy as a substitute in the 1-1 draw.
Ferguson explained: "Ruud didn't feel sharp after the game against Porto. I decided on a bit of freshness up front.
"I've said before that Ruud's been carrying the burden for a long time and it's time we started to look at that."
Ferguson said: "One of the reasons I signed Louis Saha was to ease the pressure on Ruud."
Van Nistelrooy has started 25 out of United's 27 Premiership games this season and six out of seven Champions League games, scoring 24 goals.
He will return for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham at Old Trafford, when Saha will be cup-tied against his former club.
Saha is also being nursed by Ferguson, who said: "We are having to treat Louis quite tenderly because he came to us with a calf injury and it has moved down to his heel now.
"We will have to be careful about that."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3524667.stm
Hope nothing serious to Saha injury.
C
C-B
Guest
nha, there's nothing serious... but i think if we're gonna go up, we need the best attack possible, and i think ruud and louis will risk injury for the premiership.
soccerbest
Starting XI
Saha has 10 days of rest now to recover his heel injury, should be fit for the Porto match. 
it is still gr8 that ruud is scoring alot.so what if he misses 2-3 sitters.he'll get them right next time.
after all coming back from a career threatening injury is not easy.
with saha,ruud can now rest himself and ease.
i've heard that ruud's brother ron,has occurred the same injury.he plays for a non-league side in holland.anyone got info of him?
after all coming back from a career threatening injury is not easy.
with saha,ruud can now rest himself and ease.
i've heard that ruud's brother ron,has occurred the same injury.he plays for a non-league side in holland.anyone got info of him?
nah!
he should really be sold.
the talk that he is still young and will take time to adapt has gone past since long.
he has got enough games to prove himself.
has talent,but won't be useful in the epl.
would like to see a tevez <----> forlan swap deal this summer
he should really be sold.
the talk that he is still young and will take time to adapt has gone past since long.
he has got enough games to prove himself.
has talent,but won't be useful in the epl.
would like to see a tevez <----> forlan swap deal this summer
In the past few games, we struggled and it was such a coincidence that Mikael wasn't playing when we drew with Leeds and Fulham while getting ousted by an impressive FC Porto side. It was not only his defensive qualities that we missed, but his attacking ones as well. His goals in three different competitions reflects that and his impressive skill that was almost sorely missed since Beckham left. It was his accurate, deadly and superb long ball passing that we missed. He(Silves) can cut through defences without even some of us realising it. Take for example Saha's first goal for the club(the one he scored at OT was credited as Phillips OG). The ball by Silves sliced through the defence which allowed Saha to score. And lets not forget last season's thrilling 5-3 win against Newcastle. He helped to create the first goal with a long ball to Solskjaer who dribbled past Dabizas(i think) and cut it back for Scholes to score. Its players like these that we really miss the most, yet we do not realise it.
soccerbest
Starting XI
Wonder if this is right, ever since the day Rio started his ban in January after the Wolves game, Our results has been going downhill. 
man united forever
Senior Squad
the results went downhill at around about that time, though we had dropped points in the goalless draw against newcastle in the previous game.
VanTheMan - would you swap Tevez for Forlan?
VanTheMan - would you swap Tevez for Forlan?
soccerbest
Starting XI
Ya, ever since the 0-0 draw against newcastle and then wolves game, we have been struggling since, can't put a run of victories at all. 
man united forever
Senior Squad
things are improving though. The defence is starting to hold together apparently(didn't see the fulham game but read the reports) and brown's performances are starting to improve. I think one of the problems lately has been that the players still think they're capable of holding on to a one-goal lead. Sadly that is just not true at this stage. With Rio and Silvestre at the back, it would still have been a risky but a decent ploy. Without them it's just plain stupidity. Score two and then start thinking about sitting back and allowing the opposition onto you.
man united forever
Senior Squad
Yeah we'd join your lot in the lower leagues
Don't know if this has been posted before and can't be bothered finding out:
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From Soccernet:
Blatter involves Blair in Rio-gate
FIFA president Sepp Blatter today told Prime Minister Tony Blair that the Rio Ferdinand affair is a text-book example of how not to handle doping cases.
In a graphic illustration of how importantly the Ferdinand case is viewed in senior sporting and political circles, Blatter brought it up during a 25-minute meeting at Number 10 during a discussion about drugs issues.
Ferdinand's appeal is to be held on March 18 and 19, and the the FIFA president made it clear the saga should never have been allowed to develop.
Blatter, speaking at a media briefing in London, said: 'I spoke to him [Tony Blair] about the fight against doping and WADA and talked to him about individual case management and that a very good example about how not to handle doping was the famous Rio Ferdinand case.
'It will go into our schooling books about how not to deal with it.
'The regulations of FIFA are very clear and are valid for all national organisations. If a player fails to attend a drugs test that player should be immediately suspended until the case is dealt with by the relevant authority.
'This was not done, and we were not informed at the beginning. Then it was too late to intervene - that's why we let it go.
'I felt I had to bring it to his [Blair's] attention, and he took note about it.'
Blair raised the matter of London's 2012 Olympic bid - and Blatter, who cannot speak about the bid as an International Olympic Committee member, was able to say in his role as head of world football there would be no problem fielding a British team for the soccer tournament should London win.
Blatter said there would be no threat to the four home nations' separate status within football - his view is that one of the home nations should be chosen to represent Britain.
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Hasn't he said enough about this case?
Don't know if this has been posted before and can't be bothered finding out:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Soccernet:
Blatter involves Blair in Rio-gate
FIFA president Sepp Blatter today told Prime Minister Tony Blair that the Rio Ferdinand affair is a text-book example of how not to handle doping cases.
In a graphic illustration of how importantly the Ferdinand case is viewed in senior sporting and political circles, Blatter brought it up during a 25-minute meeting at Number 10 during a discussion about drugs issues.
Ferdinand's appeal is to be held on March 18 and 19, and the the FIFA president made it clear the saga should never have been allowed to develop.
Blatter, speaking at a media briefing in London, said: 'I spoke to him [Tony Blair] about the fight against doping and WADA and talked to him about individual case management and that a very good example about how not to handle doping was the famous Rio Ferdinand case.
'It will go into our schooling books about how not to deal with it.
'The regulations of FIFA are very clear and are valid for all national organisations. If a player fails to attend a drugs test that player should be immediately suspended until the case is dealt with by the relevant authority.
'This was not done, and we were not informed at the beginning. Then it was too late to intervene - that's why we let it go.
'I felt I had to bring it to his [Blair's] attention, and he took note about it.'
Blair raised the matter of London's 2012 Olympic bid - and Blatter, who cannot speak about the bid as an International Olympic Committee member, was able to say in his role as head of world football there would be no problem fielding a British team for the soccer tournament should London win.
Blatter said there would be no threat to the four home nations' separate status within football - his view is that one of the home nations should be chosen to represent Britain.
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Hasn't he said enough about this case?
PaPaGeorGeo
Fan Favourite
United officially the stingyest club in the world
http://www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,31-1125701,00.html
http://www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,31-1125701,00.html
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