STRETFORD END FLAGS

Manchester, Munich, Moscow...

2008-04-30T01:17:00.003+01:00

It's hard to sum up my feelings right now, hours after watching United seal a place in the Champions League final.

In 1999, I was a nine year old boy, I always expected United to win and although I was young I knew United achieved something great when I witnessed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sealing the Treble with his last minute goal against German giants Bayern Munich.

I'd always be down at the Theatre of Dreams and was lucky to be at the Nou Camp that night, getting in on the singing, admiring my heroes David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes not realising the importance of what I was watching though.

Nevertheless, I was rather blazé as a nipper, as any kid is, ask them what their predictions for a game is and it's "10 - 0 United" or something as farfetched. I didn't really understand the importance of the European Cup, the history or what it meant.

Then last season, as an 18 year old, I witnessed United beating Roma 7 - 1, Milan 3 - 2 with a piece of Rooney brilliance in the dying stages but unfortunately it all unravelled at the San Siro, we were beaten 3 - 0, outclassed and I was heartbroken - I'd longed to witness another Champions League final, I now understood what it meant to the club, it's history and most importantly us, the fans.

So when we made it through to the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, the nerves built, I was shitting myself, the first leg started with Ronaldo missing a penalty and my heart sank - I really didn't want to go through the same agony again. We came away from the Nou Camp, the scene of our amazing 1999 triumph, with a 0 - 0 draw, the tie in the balance and Barcelona reclaiming their confidence.

The second leg came after a controversial 2 - 1 defeat against Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge which has left United needing to win their next two league games to make sure of the title I've so far taken as ours before then.

We were 'unfortunately unlucky' in the ballot for tickets to the semi final second leg at Old Trafford, no doubt our tickets were taken up by some executives of some big business in London somewhere or sold as part of some airline package in China I thought. I was gutted, nevertheless we got in the car, me and my dad, and travelled up to Manchester, primarily to soak up the atmosphere of a massive European night but in the back of our minds hoping to bump into some lucky cunt who had managed to get extra tickets.

On the way up, followed by all the lucky bastards who'd got tickets, we discussed the ongoings at the 'Battle of the Bridge' on Saturday, both in agreement that we'd still win the title but both unsure about the result we'd get against the Catalan giants.

We had to score more than Barcelona, it was as simple as that but the signs weren't good - Wayne Rooney was ruled out through a hip injury and Nemanja Vidic was ruled out with concussion - the signs weren't good at all!

We arrived in Manchester at about 6.30, the traffic was relatively steady going and we were just in time to soak up the pre-match atmosphere outside the ground, see all the fans, mixture of excitement and nerves at what was about to come.

Kick off was little over an hour away and I was constantly asking around for 'spare tickets', like those people who usually annoy the shit outta me and get me thinking, "why come to a game without tickets?"...now I know why though.

Manchester United does that to you, once you go, you're addicted, whether you've been once or a hundred times, you need your next fix and you'll go to any lengths to get that match ticket whether it be a game against Barcelona or Barnsley. I was heartbroken when I missed out on tickets to the game and I'd do anything for them.

The time rolled on, the nerves built, in my mind I'd settled for a seat in the nearest pub with a few other unlucky Reds. My dad told me we'd walk around the ground once more and head to the Bishop's Blaize to watch the game.

As we walked past the statue of Sir Matt, he pulled out an envelope (that same envelope that you wake up everyday after an application hoping it's on your door step) and handed it to me - in fact we'd not been unlucky in our application for tickets and there the fuckers were. Oh I could have cried with joy but the nerves wouldn't let me. I give the old man a big hug, called him a shithead and told him to move his arse before we missed the build up inside the ground.

So as we raced to our seats, still in disbelief at the old boy's tricks, the nerves, excitement all began to build again.

We took our seats, fifteen minutes til kick off and the atmosphere turned up a notch. We'll Never Die was sang, flags, scarves held high and the mosaics were a massive success, not that I could see ours, I know it said "BELIEVE" but the "68 - 99" one was excellent and it all added to the tremendous effort put in by the club and especially SEF.

The hairs on the back of the neck were up as the players come out...the Champions League music...76,000 fans...need I say more.

It was an amazing atmosphere but the game started off poorly, we rarely had the ball until just after ten minutes when BANG!...the man who missed out on our day in Barcelona in '99, struck only his second goal of the season and possibly the most crucial of his glittering career. It was a delight to see, right in front of me as the ball rippled the net and the crowd went wild. "He scores goals galore" sang the fans...well nowadays thats not entirely true but that goal was worth all of his goals prior to it.

From then on, as they say, the rest was history - United were through to a Champions League final again, now I appreciate what it means fully, I look forward to the final in Moscow, I won't get tickets, I won't be in Moscow unfortunately that's how it goes, I was lucky enough to be at the other final and to be lucky enough to go to Old Trafford for the semi but nevertheless will go up to Manchester to watch it somewhere and soak up the atmosphere that only Manchester can create for a United game and hopefully the magic of 1968 and 1999 can be resurrected in 2008, 50 years on from the Munich Air Disaster in what will be the first all English Champions League final.

But I know what it means, I've never felt so happy as a United fan, my first choice every season is and will always be to end the season as LEAGUE CHAMPIONS but the European Cup has finally, if I ignore the Scouser's chants of ''5 times'', taken a spot in my heart that I never thought it had.

Will the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez join the likes of George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton, Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer into United's hall of fame?

It'll be a nerve wracking day, the 21st May 2008, the eve of George Best's birthday (and my very own may I add!) but the history of this club, the magnitude of the game, the quality of our players, manager and fans means we can be confident of succeeding in Moscow whether it be Chelsea or Liverpool we come up against.

They wrote us off after the first leg at the Nou Camp and the handbags at the Bridge but we bounced back, this is what dreams are made of, we WILL be the English Champions going to Moscow and on the 22nd May we WILL also be European Champions.

The history of this club demands nothing less.

Carlos' Vital Contribution

2008-02-21T19:32:00.003Z

Carlos Tevez's move to United took over many a back page in the Summer, headline after headline his on and off transfer to United was one of the most talked about moves in the last few years.

When the talk about MSI, Kia Joorabchian and who owns him settled Carlitos' United career could finally kick off but lack of match fitness and featuring in the Copa America meant he'd have to wait his turn.

In the opening league fixture against Reading, United dropped two points and Wayne Rooney was ruled out for a month or so with a foot injury meaning Tevez was thrust into the first eleven sooner than expected.

It took a while for his first goal to come but it come in the biggest game of the season up until that point, United had been poor and Chelsea had just lost their 'Special One' when Carlos Tevez popped up with opening goal as the Red Devils beat Chelsea 2-0. Since then the Argentinian 'lion' hasn't looked back.

Despite critics that he wasn't the most prolific of goalscorers he's scored 15 goals in 31 games which have included 26 starts.

But a striker who wishes to be world class, wishes to be successful at a club like United's true worth is shown in their knack to pop up with a vital goal, like his first for United against Chelsea. And there's two goals which spring to mind straight away.

With minutes remaining at White Hart Lane, Carlos Tevez popped up with a vital, dramatic equaliser which meant United grabbed a point from the jaws of defeat.

Then last night, with minutes ticking down on the clock, United down 1-0 thanks to a brilliant Benzema opener the substitute was in the right place at the right time to fire the ball into the roof of the net and give United an away goal which make United hot favourites to put the 1999 European Champions through to the last eight.

Unlike his transfer to United, the performances of his peers; Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Anderson, Nani, etc. have meant he has not been in the limelight, not won much praise and not won the plaudits that some other stars have.

He's quiet off the pitch but on it he let's his feet do the talking, and the volume of his performances are loud.

There is no doubt that despite how little tabloid coverage this man gets the United fans are appreciative of the little man's contribution.

A contribution that could prove vital when the trophies and medals are handed out in May!

ARGENTINA! ARGENTINA! ARGENTINA!

2008: The Champions' Preview

2007-12-31T20:06:00.000Z

Manchester United see out the year as English Champions having witnessed Sir Alex Ferguson over the past eighteen months completing his jigsaw that is a fourth all conquering team and a squad described by the man himself as ''the best'' he's had.

The 2007 season ended in disappointment having come up short in the Champions League semi-final and FA Cup final but had you told anyone before the season started that United would've performed as they did you'd have been laughed at.

Now I've always been an optimistic fan, always believed we'd win the league every season since I can remember but had you suggested we'd be on course for a second Treble in May, I'd have struggled to believe you.

Winning the Championship was something that filled me with joy that meant the pain in failing in Europe and the first FA Cup final at the New Wembley was not long lived. We played free scoring, free flowing, attractive attacking football and nobody could live with us.

Yet before the season the only people who believed we could do it were a small percentage of United fans, critics wrote Sir Alex Ferguson was not good enough and should jump before being pushed.

Rob Smyth wrote in the Guardian in May 2006 that Fergie's legacy was falling apart at the seams and "Ferguson’s brilliance famously knocked Liverpool off their perch. Now his incompetence is doing the same to Manchester United...United could finish fifth."

Smyth also found time to criticise the likes of Patrice Evra, the same Patrice Evra who pushed the whinging Gabriel Heinzé out of the team and out of the club, the same Patrice Evra who was named in PFA's XI - it was just one article that was predicting the end of Fergie's United career and the end of United's dominance over English football.

How wrong they were.

Now we enter 2008, confident in the knowledge we're going to retain our league title despite falling two points behind Arsenal on the weeked and confident that this could be the year, 50 years on from the Munich Air Disaster, we conquer Europe again.

Ferguson has built a squad that has everything in the locker.

In defence we have the World's best defender in Rio Ferdinand (and my choice for future United captain) alongside Nemanja Vidic, who together form a formidable partnership with Patrice Evra and Wes Brown (while current skipper Gary Neville is out) filling the wide defensive positions - supported by an experienced head in between the sticks, Edwin Van Der Sar.

Protecting the defence we have either Owen Hargreaves or Michael Carrick, Hargreaves the man who can be the difference between us being a success in Europe - imagine if we had him against Milan standing up to the brilliance of Kaka.

In attack we have Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Louis Saha, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes (currently injured) players who would get into any team in the World and players who can change the game at the drop of a coin.

Then we have 'squad players' such as Anderson, Nani, Danny Simpson, Gerard Piqué, Tomas Kuszczak, John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher and Park Ji-Sung all of whom are young, able and willing to fight for a first team spot at the club.

Anderson is the one who stands out for me. He has been given a lot of game time recently with there being injuries to Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves and he has shown that he is worth every penny we paid for him.

Young, skilful and strong. He dominated the midfield against Liverpool and Arsenal. Up against Steven Gerrard and Cesc Fabregas respectively you would have expected less from a player some have renamed 'Kleberson II'. Mark my words, in a few years he will be the best all round midfielder in the Premiership and it looks as though Fergie has found the impossible, an eventual replacement for the brilliant Paul Scholes.

Ferguson has proven everyone who wrote him and the club off wrong..again. He has built a
team, a squad that is coming together nicely - with experienced heads and bags of potential. We have filled in the weaknesses and built on them, injuries and suspensions are no longer feared as obstacles which may ruin our chances of silverware as we have a capable squad now.

In 2007, the critics who said Fergie should walk have been silenced - the critics who said United would finish fifth have been silenced too and it's fantastic to watch.

Whats more pleasing is Ferguson has again reiterated his stance that retirement is NOT on the cards as he wants to continue developing this squad and I can't wait to see it unfold.

2008 will be an even more successful year for Manchester United, I'm sure of that. We're even better than most and favourites tag for both the league and European Cup this year is richly deserved, all that is left now is the hard part - for Fergie's boys to go out there and prove their worth, prove themselves as the best team in Europe which is a tag they richly deserve.

2008 will be a sombre year for United with February 6th marking 50 years since the Munich Air Disaster but it will also be a year of celebration and joy as United continue their domination over English football and with a little bit of luck, Europe too.

Happy New Year, as a United fan I know it will be! ;)

Goal King Ronaldo

2007-12-31T19:40:00.000Z

2007-08

Appearances
20 (1 as sub) (15 (1) in PL & 5 in CL)

Goals
18 (13 in PL & 5 in CL)

At this time last season Cristiano Ronaldo scored 12 goals all coming in the Premier League having made 19 league and 5 Champions League appearances so thats 12 goals in 24 games at New Years Day last season.

This time he has bagged 18 goals, becoming the league's top scorer on 13 and also the Champions League's top scorer with 5 - this having played less games, 20 and 1 as a sub.

Many expected Ronaldo to struggle in reaching the goal scoring heights he did last season but he's proved them wrong like he has so many people throughout his relatively short footballing career.

Yet despite his remarkable goalscoring form this season some pundits and fans alike have come to the conclusion that Ronnie is below his high standards this year - "he's trying too much and he isn't performing to the heights he did last season" they say.

I beg to differ. Ronaldo could perform like this all season, all of his United career and I'd be nothing but pleased with him. How many strikers could boast a goalscoring record like his this season?

What I think has changed this season is the team rather than the player. Ronaldo is still beating players like they aren't there, still pulling skill out of the top drawer, he's still getting all the fans on the edge of their seats - in other words he is still that boy Ronaldo.

United have brought in Nani, Anderson and Tevez in the attacking departments - two of those players have been superb, the other coming off the bench every now and then and showing glimpses of fantastic potential.

All in all, United now have more players that are grabbing the headlines and taking the spotlight off Ronaldo, unlike last season where it was just Scholes, Ronaldo and Rooney.

Even the defenders, Evra & Ferdinand have come in for huge praise this season. Anderson has bossed the midfields of Arsenal and Liverpool this season. The partnership of Rooney and Tevez.

United, this season, have players all over the park getting in the spotlight and it's excellent news for the club. Ronaldo has improved in fact, he's more of a team player, more clinical and even more skilful - his goal record is just one bonus we get to benefit.

He has matured a lot, he's bringing in the young foreign lads Anderson & Nani and making them feel at home.

Basically what we are seeing is Ronaldo the man, the maturing player and it's refreshing to see.

From the young boy, the unknown 'one trick pony' we saw make his debut against Bolton to the man and the player we now have, who is still improving - it's great to see and Ronaldo is just the image of the club that we are at the moment.

Full of youth, vibrance, skill, potential, energy and the hunger for success, all maturing together and with the world at their feet.

That boy Ronaldo hasn't taken a step back, in fact he's improved this season we've just got an even better team and it certaintly is exciting times to be a Manchester United fan.

Beginning of a New Era for Reds?

2007-08-12T01:20:00.000+01:00

Coming into last season there was very little optimism amongst United fans that we'd win the title after three seasons of 'rebuilding' for a new era.

I though, as the eternal optimist, predicted in this blog that United would win the league for a sixteenth time as I've always believed that Sir Alex would turn around the club's fortunes and that with the Reds in his hands success would return.

There was the departure of our most influential player and captain, Roy Keane, the exit of our goal machine and fan favourite Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid and being without Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to name but two for long periods of time through injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Darren Fletcher & John O'Shea were all a year older and had all gained more experience and last season was an indication that these four players were coming along nicely especially the explosive pairing of Wazza & Ronnie that along with veterans Scholes and Giggs were influential as United claimed a NINTH Premier League title.

Our football was breathtaking, goals from every position and our back four were water tight - with the second strongest defence in the league and the best attack in the country United were rightly Champions.

Unlike the summer prior United have splashed the cash on players and have strengthened in the midfield and attacking positions. Deals have been struck for Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson and Carlos Tevez who come in to give United, on paper, one of the best squads in the world.

The players that have come in will have to work hard to break into the team but are players who will bring with them different things and blend in with playing football 'the United way'.

There has also been returns to the United squad for Ben Foster, Jonny Evans, Danny Simpson, Phil Bardsley and Gerard Piqué who will all be vying for a first team position this season.

The amount of talent at United is obvious, we now have a squad capable of challenging on all four fronts and a squad which will be one of, if not the, favourites to win any competition we play in.

There have been a few exits though. Kieran Richardson failed to live up to his potential and was snapped up by ex-United player Roy Keane, Guiseppe Rossi has made a permanent move to Villareal (although we could see Joe Red back at United) and Alan Smith has also signed for Big Sam's Newcastle - expect Gabriel 'I want to be a Dipper' Heinze to be added to that list of high profile United exits any time soon too!

Still with those exits we have a squad capable of dominating English and European football again.

Last season's success in the league was great but the defeats in the Cup Final and to AC Milan in the Champions League semi final still haunt some of the players and fans and rightly so, we were in a position to do a Double atleast but squad fatigue and injuries hit us hard especially in the San Siro.

With our squad now I see United pushing on in all competitions and with a squad that potentially could repeat the heroics of 1999.

Predictions

Barclays Premiership
Last Season: Champions

United's football was too much last season for any one to handle, we got off to a great start and never looked back, bouncing back from defeats emphatically and having players like Cristiano Ronaldo who could pull a victory out of the bag when it seemed unlikely.

We all know how difficult it is to win the title consecutively but with the experience of the manager and players such as Neville, Giggs, Scholes and Solskjaer to aide the boys who have just won their first titles expect very little space for complacency add that to the new signings and the return of a few young stars bringing a fight for a start in the first XI, I expect United to retain the title - it won't be easy though with Chelsea sure to be snapping at our heels every inch of the way.

Prediction: Champions..again!

UEFA Champions League
Last Season: Semi Finalists

United played some great football in the Champions Leagues last season beating AC Milan and Roma (unforgettably!) making massive improvements on recent campaigns in Europe but come the second leg of the semi final fatigue, injuries and luck seemed to turn against us at the wrong time.

We still need to address our performances away from Old Trafford in Europe as we suffered FOUR defeats on the road last year but with new signings coming in, particularly with the pedigree and talents of Owen Hargreaves I expect that to change and United should see more success for it.

Prediction: Finalists

FA Cup
Last Season: Runners Up

We all know about the luck involved in winning the FA Cup but it's also about the hunger, desire and passion to win the famous competition. Last season we ran out of luck in the final with a penalty or goal being denied in one incident and the fact we were the first team to taste defeat in a FA Cup Final at the New Wembley will I'm sure provide enough incentive to the team this time around.

Prediction: Finalists

Carling Cup
Last Season: Fourth Round

With United having such a big squad now and with a lot of the loanees returning I see this competition being used as a chance to give those players first team football.

I know the players that we have brought back are very talented but with this being our fourth priority to the other competitions I see us having the same sort of impact on this competition as last season.

Saying that you never know with cup football and we have the talent there to win it, obviously.

Prediction: Quarter Finals

This may seem like a set of very biased predictions but honestly these are with my head as much as my heart and right now United are the team to beat and have the squad too which some say we haven't had before.

I'm always excited before a new season but even more so this time around. Sitting at Wembley for the Community Shield all I could think about was being at Old Trafford for the big kick off against Reading.

The acquisitions of Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson have bolstered United and have made us a promising outfit. Fergie has brought together players that will be around for a very long time and can stick together to allow us United fans to enjoy another period of domination.

Of course if you give me the option now I'd take league success on it's own in the blink of an eye but we now have the players and the squad to challenge on all four fronts and be favourites, or one of atleast, in any competition we enter.

The excitement is building and the curtain will raise at Old Trafford tomorrow on what will be I'm sure another successful year for Manchester United.

That Special Feeling

2007-03-30T22:08:00.000+01:00

Arriving in Manchester for the last two games have been met with a scent of success amongst the Red side of the city.

With the final International break of the season out of the way, the finishing post is well within sights for the Red Devils.

The month of March began with a confidence boosting Scouse busting at Anfield and then continued with Champions League progression over Lille, FA Cup progression over Boro and then a bashing of Bolton at Old Trafford.

I've said it before and I'll say it again many are still waiting for United to have their blip but the fact is we've had it and we've not lost a game during it, in that run we triumphed in France, at the Craven Cottage and on Merseyside. Pretty good for a team in a blip if you ask me!

United have been one of the top performers in Europe, consistently, this season. Winning games in the league and cup competitions scoring loads of goals, conceding few and doing so in style associated with Manchester United's "glory days" (whoever said they were over?), from now on though United players, staff and fans alike will just worry about the wins and with a potential of 15 remaining games that is all that matters. (15 games = 8 league, 2 FA Cup?, 5 Champions League?)

One low point from March was the number of injuries accumulating for United added to Paul Scholes' suspension gained on Merseyside. Edwin Van Der Sar, Patrice Evra, Gary Neville, Darren Fletcher, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were all ruled out.

Now though Paul Scholes is back as are Van Der Sar, Solskjaer, Evra and Saha although the latter two may miss the Blackburn Rovers game.

Things are turning in United's favour, Ronaldo shows no sign of letting up in his relentless form and Rooney bagged a brace versus Bolton - with Scholesy back and refreshed the three will put fear in any defence not to mention the return of Louis Saha and Ole Solskjaer.

Although Vidic has shown sides of complacency recently the international break may have done him some good in he has been without the pressures that come with being at United for a period of time, on the flip side Gabi Heinzé has shown form that made him United's Player of the Season in his debut season with the club and Rio Ferdinand has been as solid as a rock for the whole campaign.

Ferguson has cast doubts over whether we'll witness another season like that classic, unprecedented 1998-99 campaign and in all honesty it will take some massive efforts in the remaining months but with United in a position in the league where we know what to do and have the experience to continue without buckling under the pressure; in a position in the FA Cup where we are almost certs to reach the final (no disrespect to Watford) and are favourites in the last eight clash with AS Roma in the European Cup - there's always a chance United fans could witness something of a vintage '99 season again.

What is for sure is that special feeling is back amongst the Red Army and also that Manchester United will not let up grip of their chance to lift their ninth Premier League title in May.

Visit www.stretfordendflags.com for more news on Manchester United and discussions on how to make Old Trafford a more atmospheric stadium.

You Lucky Devils?

2007-03-04T18:56:00.000Z

Following our last gasp victories over Liverpool and Fulham and our controversial victory over Lille in the Champions League people have asked when will United's luck run out.

José Mourinho has claimed that United's positions in the League and Europe are down to refereeing decisions and luck.

Moaninho said, "United have had no injuries, every player is fine to play. They go to the Champions League and have a disallowed goal for the opponent and their goal is that goal. They go to Fulham and it looks like they deserve to lose and they win. They play at Tottenham, it's 0-0 and Cristiano dives, they get a penalty and win 4-0. It looks like everything is on their side, but that's football"

Am I missing something here, José?

He is the first to be talking about players diving when his squad contains Mr fuckin' Incredible (-y Over Rated) John Terry, Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba. And, then to top it off he claims United have had all the luck with injuries and refereeing decisions.

Do you remember the last two seasons, José?

United have had injury depleted squads for the last two-three seasons and most Manchester United fans are united in the respect that we are surprised with the lack of injuries suffered this season (touch wood). Isn't it also a sign of having good facilities and a great set of medical staff?

Then on to refereeing decisions, the cheek of it!

Ryan Giggs' goal was completely legitimate, just ask Mr. Wenger how many times his side have benefitted from the rule.

Added to these few scenarios, believe me there are more:

Didier Drogba handles the ball to score a goal versus Man. City, Chelsea beat City thanks to two disputed Drogba goals.
John Terry dives to earn a penalty for Chelsea at the Nou Camp, Chelsea eventually draw.
Arjen Robben is guilty of diving to get Pepe Reina sent off, Chelsea beat Liverpool.

We all know there are more and when Ferguson said this I'm sure the footballing world apart from the Russian bit in London applauded, "His football club have been with so many things with referees over the last few years. It seems when something goes against Chelsea or they don't get their own way, someone has a go at the referee. He should button his lip!"

Ferguson also admitted the last two victories over Fulham and Liverpool have had their share of luck but it's not lucky when you've players like Cristiano Ronaldo who can pop up with an incredible solo goal, a 'keeper like Edwin Van Der Sar who in those two games made saves which may decide the title or defenders like Rio Ferdinand who has been rock solid all season.

The fact of the matter is Manchester United Football Club deserve to be where we are today. We deserve to be top of the Premier League as we've been and are the best team in the country, we deserve the 1-0 aggregate lead over Lille in the Champions League and we deserve to still be in the FA Cup.

Yes, recent performances have been poor by our standards and the great José Mourinho also said "United will have a blip". I think we've had it and along the way we've not lost a game.

Our "blip" started with the home game versus Charlton and possibly ended with the victory at Anfield. We beat Charlton 2-0, drew with Reading 1-1, beat Lille 1-0, beat Fulham 2-1, beat Reading in the return tie 3-2 and then beat Liverpool 1-0.

So rather than us being entirely lucky along the way I think what you can say is during our blip this season we've battled away, dug in protected our goal and then in games hit teams on the break. Yes, that may require some luck but if keeping clean sheets and then scoring a goal is luck José Mourinho's team won the league like that.

Throughout this season we've stuck to "the Manchester United way" and attacked teams looking for goals with the mentality of you can score but we'll score more, our attack has been skillful and full of goals but our defence has been strong and water tight.

Alan Hansen said on MOTD that "Some say United have been lucky but winning when you deserve to lose is a sign of a great team" and I couldn't agree more with that - Manchester United are back where they belong and will continue to build another era of domination over English football using the successful formula of playing "the Manchester United way" and attacking teams.

And, whether you like it or not José we're in this position because we're the better team and come May we'll be there to take our trophy back.

"Mourinho are you listenin', you better keep the trophy glistenin', we'll be back in May to take it away, walkin' in a Fergie wonderland!"

Gary Neville Is A Red...

2007-02-16T19:52:00.000Z

Gary Neville yesterday blasted agents in football and questioned whether they were needed and claimed that agents were merely taking money out of the game.

"Footballers think they need agents - but it's not the case" said the PFA representative for both Manchester United and England, "Players need good advice and good accountants but they don't need agents taking hundreds of thousands of pounds off of them"

Neville wants football players to take the same route as he, his brother Phil and Paul Scholes in the manner of having no agents. The Neville Brothers are represented by their father, Neville Neville and Paul Scholes represents himself in contract talks.

There is the argument that Gary Neville knows nothing of the importance of agents because he has been 100% loyal to the one club throughout his career never needing the work of an agent, Arsene Wenger has said that Neville's opinions on agents will change once he becomes a manager and that Red Nev is wrong to be questioning the significance of agents in the game.

It is clear though through transfer records and investigations such as the one run by the BBC that agents are out to earn a quick but mega buck off the back of the beautiful game something which Neville and other PFA members want to get rid of - the PFA itself represent a handful of top footballers including Newcastle's James Milner - a move which keeps money in the game and keeps the financial side of the game safe.

Most football fans are in agreement that agents are bad for the game taking hundreds of thousands sometimes millions out of transfer deals and being able to decide whether one club can sign a player - is it right that an agent can decide what club can sign which player?

Gary Neville's opinions on this reflect what most think and whether you love him or hate him you can only agree with him and not only on agents - he says what every Manchester United fan thinks whether it be agents, fans, passion in the game, etc. - he is Mr. United!

Following Rio Ferdinand's last minute winner versus Liverpool last season Gary Neville ran towards the Liverpool fans screaming, shouting and kissing the Manchester United badge on his shirt.

"I'm not apologetic, why should I be? You are caught up in the moment and for a few seconds you can go bananas. What are you meant to do? Smile sweetly and jog back to the halfway line?

"I laughed when I heard someone say that it was not the behaviour of a 30-year-old because they are probably the same people who have accused us of lacking passion in recent games.

"The stick is part of the game. One week you take it on the chin, the next you give it out. That is how local rivals have always been - and always should be - do you want a game of robots?"

Gary Neville celebrated in the same manner I and thousands of Manchester United fans did in Old Trafford that night and in pubs, bars and homes around the world.

Yet again Nev was right, why should players lack passion when they celebrate? Fowler had given Manchester United fans the "five finger gesture" whilst playing for Man City and when Neville celebrated in front of the Liverpool fans he was fined and warned! Where's the justice in that?

Talking about fans, Neville is just the fan.

After Manchester United's lacklustre draw last season at Old Trafford versus Middlesbrough whilst doing his usual walk around the pitch saluting the United fans, Neville was confronted by a United fan who was clearly upset with the performance and appeared to call the team a "disgrace", following this Neville confronted the fan.

Following the confrontation Neville said, "We were both showing our passion for the club. He had a strong opinion and we had a disagreement. Now it's finished with. Manchester United have great fans!"

Following Malcolm Glazer's takeover of Neville's beloved Reds, a few thousand of United's fans scrapped their season tickets and formed FC United of Manchester (or S.C.U.M. as they're known in America), Neville spoke out yet again:

"I always say this to the fans when they talk about who owns the club: when you first walked into that ground at the age of five or ten, you didn't walk up the steps from the refreshment bar and think, 'who's that sat over in the director's box?'.

"You fell in love with that team running out in that Red shirt, in that great ground on that green pitch. That was what drew you to the club and made you think, wow, that's got me. And it's an addiction you have for life.

"Managers are important, so are directors and players, but we all come and go. It was walking into the stadium, that's what gripped me, the size of it - I was in awe of the whole place.

"I just love everything; the badge, the history. That's why I always say the people within the club are just their to serve it. It's the club and badge that matters so much. The players are just adding their little bit to a massive depth of history.

"And you can still sense that passion when you go to the pubs in Salford and you see the MUFC tattoos on knuckles. This club can enthrall you. That's what Manchester United does, it grips you and gets you if you really want it!"

And, I'll leave you with that long but great quotation from the great man. The outspoken lad from Bury who lives, breathes and will die Manchester United.

A man who very rarely says a word but when he does he says what's on the mind of the millions of Reds around the world.

The man is Mr Manchester United and players like Red Nev are what makes this club what it is.

When Rio Ferdinand was banned he was the first player to call a strike on England duty, he stood up for his Manchester United colleague and friend, Rio Ferdinand who said in his autobiography he is a man you want on your side as you're guaranteed he'll battle for your cause in times of war.

With players and men like him in the side you're guaranteed Manchester United will never be without fight and spirit, Ferguson called him "the Spirit of United" and that's what he is and if he will do his utmost to push Manchester United onto a ninth Premiership title and when he does he'll be celebrating like every Manchester United fan on the Stretford End because...

GARY NEVILLE IS A RED!

Squeaky Bum Time Is Upon Us...

2007-02-01T20:48:00.000Z

"There are thirteen games left, it's one game less and another goal better off than our rivals."

Sir Alex Ferguson's words following the final whistle on Wednesday night. They were words of a man intent on taking each game as it comes, words of a man intent on getting Manchester United back where they belong and words of a man who knows there is a long way to go in this title race.

On Sunday, Manchester United travel to White Hart Lane in one of the games that will shape our season. With thirteen games to go and a six point gap at the summit of the Premier League every game from now until the title is won is absolutely vital and with away trips to Anfield, Fratton Park, Stamford Bridge and The City of Manchester Stadium still to come after the battle at White Hart Lane United must take every game as it comes and play every game as if it decides the title race.

Whilst Manchester United were dishing out defeat in cruise control to a relegation bound Watford side, Tottenham were at the Emirates Stadium playing their part in what turned out to be a scintillating Carling Cup semi-final which ended in a 3 - 1 extra time defeat to a rampant Arsenal side.

Last season, United beat Spurs 2 - 1 at White Hart Lane at the rear end of the season at a time when victory would keep up an unlikely title charge after seemingly pegging Chelsea back. The victory was thanks to a first half Wayne Rooney brace which kept the Red Devils within eight points of Chelsea. As we know, Manchester United went on to finish second and thoughts of snatching the title were distinguished following a horror show at the Bridge which was overshadowed by Wayne Rooney's infamous metatarsal injury.

What a difference a season makes, Manchester United are at the summit of the league and lead Chelsea by six points but victory at White Hart Lane is as important, if not more so, than last season and the form of Wayne Rooney amongst others is as vital in the title race from now on.

Wayne Rooney's form at the beginning of the season was questioned despite a goal in the Manchester derby, braces vs. Fulham & Sheffield United and a hat trick vs. Bolton. Rooney's touch, goal scoring and form had deserted him to an extent Sir Alex offered him a weeks rest something which was refused by Rooney. Rooney rejected the break and decided to do more training, extended his usual training routine by an hour a day of private training on his touch, his shooting and his fitness.

Ferguson had said that Rooney needed to score single goals in consecutive matches rather than spurts of goalscoring that had seen him score eight goals in four fixtures of the season but none in the rest up to the Arsenal fixture at the Emirates Stadium, a place where Rooney's luck and form seemed to turn.

At The Emirates Stadium, despite United's defeat, Rooney scored the opening goal with a clever diving header a goal which relieved the pressure off the Croxteth-born striker and a goal which could be a turning point in where the title ends up in May.

Following his goal at the Emirates he scored a double versus Portsmouth in the FA Cup which included a fabolous Cantona-esque strike and then scored a delightful chip in the rout of Watford. Wayne Rooney has found his form and United will need him on top of his game in the coming months. With Champions League football restarting, the FA Cup coming up again as well as the title run in (which includes those difficult aforementioned away trips) Rooney's form could be vital to how Manchester United fare when the trophies are handed out at the end of the season.

Manchester United's season starts on Sunday and after gaining such a commanding position in the title race it would be suicide to throw it away now but with those away trips coming up anything is possible in football and anything but the absolute best from the men in Red could spell catastrophy in the race for their ninth Premiership title.

One thing is for sure Ferguson will not let his boys become complacent and that is vital, one slip up and the pressure is on given Ferguson's and his sides experience and youth I don't see the slip up coming added to the form of Ronaldo, Rooney, Scholes and co. that spells bad news for the rest of the Premiership.

Squeaky bum time though is well and truly upon us!

A Double Treble, Larsson and Hargreaves

2007-01-14T00:03:00.000Z

Manchester United currently stand six points clear at the summit of the Premiership, in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a home tie versus Portsmouth to come and with Lille between them and a spot in the last eight of the Champions League. It's a far cry from what anybody expected, following predictions of Fergie's days being numbered and United to go into free fall after the Glazer takeover.

With Grand Slam Weekend coming up we could gain a bigger idea at where the title will end up; if Chelsea drop points and United win in my opinion, it's pretty much United's but if United lose and Chelsea win United will have to tread carefully and will be put under enormous amounts of pressure. Two draws and it's business as usual, it'll still be game on!

Arsenal inflicted United's only home defeat in September with a 1-0 victory thanks to Adebayor's goal and the Reds will want revenge this weekend. Gilberto will be sorely missed by Arsenal as he has been their one consistant players this season, whilst on the other hand United have a full squad to choose from following Brown's recovery from a virus.

Victory for United on Sunday and we're in pole position for the title and victory is what United should go all out for regardless of the result from Anfield - that's the only way Manchester United play and we shouldn't discard that because of any other results.

Because of the way United play because of the "Manchester United way" anything is possible and eight years since that unique season of 1999, Ferguson dares to dream, "We have to go for the treble, there's no point in being negative. Let's enjoy it!"

With Portsmouth in the Cup, Lille in Europe and our league position with a bit of luck and the spirit of '99 we could reach the Promised Land again - of course it's a long way away though and that side of '99 was something special but you never say never especially with United and Fergie's track record.

Ferguson then went on to say that questions about his squad were unfounded his squad was good enough to challenge on all three fronts and to be honest who are we to argue?

Yes, we know the squad needs signings and players but the acquisition of Larsson on a short term loan deal has so far seemed to be a good move by Fergie - 2 games, 1 goal and lively performances from the legendary Swede - the acquisition could prove a massive one on all three fronts as fatigue and injuries take it's toll.

In Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick and Giggs - United have one of the best midfield quartet's in Europe. The defence is thriving on the competition for places and now the same can be said as the front line: Rooney, Saha, Larsson, Solskjaer, Dong & Smith all fighting for a place.

United's squad and injury levels (touch wood) are at a healthy state and if this remains until the end of the season United will not be far off in terms of silverware come May, that's a cert.

Some have compared Larsson's arrival to that of The King Cantona's and if he scores the goals which seal the title then few will argue. His effort, motivation, link up play and with one goal to his name already he has started his United career brightly.

Another player who would love to start his United career is Owen Hargreaves, the Bayern Munich midfielder today (19th January 2007) claimed "It's been official today that Manchester United have made an offer for me. For a club like Man Utd to make an offer is something I appreciate."

Sky Sports claim the offer is in the region of £20 million and Bayern Munich's board will discuss the offer over the weekend, which shows that their resolve is cracking and they are now ready to accept an offer, whether this one will be is yet to be seen as they have lost two or three midfielders through retirement or transfers. They will also have to consider whether they will get £20m in the Summer transfer window - the answer is clearly "No".

Hargreaves, for me, will be the final piece to United's central midfield jigsaw. Carrick with the vision and creation, Scholes the dynamo, the goalscoring midfield player, Hargreaves the engine. A perfect all English combination. A combination I'm sure if brought together this January would strengthen United's title challenge and a combination that if brought together in the Summer will mean success in the future.

On a whole things are looking good for United, Treble chasers and Premier League favourites things couldn't be better. Three points on Grand Slam Sunday and we'll be even further to gaining our trophy back, anything other than and it'll be a straight fight to the finishing post and in the Red corner we have Ferguson, experience and youthful exuberance something which will surely bring us through victorious.

United never do things easy and it'll be a surprise if we do anything but easy in the 2007 chase for a second unique Treble!

2006: Another Eventful Year...

2006-12-30T00:05:00.000Z

As the year draws to a close Manchester United will sit at the top of the Premier League once again. Back where they belong, but had you said that this time last year you'd have been laughed at.

We opened 2006 with a 0-0 draw in our final game at Highbury, drew with Burton in the FA Cup and lost 3-1 in the Manchester derby, hardly inspiring stuff.

We had already watched our club go out of the Champions League at the group stages and United were miles behind Chelsea in the race for the title, according to sections of the media United and Fergie's time at the top had come to an end.

At the end of January United welcomed Liverpool to Old Trafford, in a game billed as "The Battle for Second". Liverpool were on an unbeaten run stretching back to October and were one point behind United, after a generally boring game in which Liverpool spurned many a chance United grabbed an injury time winner to win 1-0, a goal described by Rio Ferdinand in his autobiography, "The ball was brilliantly delivered by Giggsy. The 'keeper had no chance, couldn't hope to keep it out, and I exploded. It doesn't get much better than to score a last minute winner against Liverpool in front of the Stretford End!". EXPLODED? Well, that's where United's season "exploded" into life.

If ever a spur was needed that was it, United went onto win the Carling Cup in March following a semi-final win over Blackburn Rovers. Wigan were turned over 4-0 in the Millenium Stadium, with Rooney and Ronaldo running the show.

This was also a turning point for one of the fans' favourites, Ruud van Nistelrooy. Richardson, Vidic and Evra were the three substitutes used in the final, Ruud left on the bench. Ruud later said he also "exploded", only this explosion ended his prolific United career, "I exploded and started swearing at Ferguson. That was the killing moment.”

So as well as losing leader Roy Keane & Paul Scholes to injury United had also lost their prolific, legendary goalscoring machine Ruud van Nistelrooy. Some were gutted to lose Keane to Celtic but when Ruud banged the final nail in his own coffin, it was hard to take - and things just seemed to go from bad to worse for Manchester United despite the Carling Cup consolation.

In the final months of the season, Giggs and Sheasy were our central midfield partnership and Ruud van Nistelrooy was sparingly used from the bench due to his attitude. Still United launched a last ditch assault at getting their title back and despite failing to do so finished second, gaining an automatic Champions League spot and going on a run of wins which would normally be associated with United winning the league. Pride was restored but what remained was a team missing players through injury or players ready to leave, a team missing Roy Keane described as "the most influential Manchester United player of all time" by some.

Then came the Summer, explosive for United as usual. The World Cup was overshadowed by England's failure again and the need for a scapegoat, step forward Mr. Ronaldo.

Wayne Rooney was sent off for England in a match versus Portugal, a match England eventually lost and it was all down to Ronaldo according to some papers. Ronaldo can be seen running up to the referee and protesting for his nation, Rooney was then shown the red card despite the referee saying this had nothing to do with Ronaldo's actions - although the sending off was harsh!

The papers wrote that Ronaldo's career in England was over, he could no longer play with Rooney and the English would make his life hell. His house was trashed and his niece attacked. Rooney said in his autobiography, "What the papers didn't know is on the coach on the way home I sent a text to Ronny. I told him to forget about what happened. I wasn't blaming him for interfering. Then I wished him and Portugal good luck in the semis and hoped they got to the final. And I meant it." Still the papers were hell bound on finding a scapegoat and Ronaldo was it.

Despite the attacks and threats of more, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United for a new season. Michael Carrick and Tomasz Kusczak were signed, Paul Scholes & Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returned "like new signings", Fergie said. Ruud van Nistelrooy was the only major departure.

Despite a good pre-season, the Sun, the Times, the BBC and SkySports all predicted Manchester United would finish fourth in the league behind Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Sir Alex Ferguson was coming up to 20 years in charge at the healm of United and many believed he should not have been here still, a "team in decline" and Fergie had to go many thought.

The season started with United thumping Fulham 5-1, Rooney and Ronaldo ran the show and buried any thoughts that they didn't get along. Saha was banging in the goals, Rooney got two in his first game (although a three match ban, an unfair one hindered his performances) and Ronaldo was also on fire. Paul Scholes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & Ryan Giggs were the "new signings" Fergie had promised, Carrick made a quiet but effective start to his United career and Rio and Vidic formed a formidable defence.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was a name barely uttered in the Red half of Manchester, Ferguson and Giggs called for goals from all departments and we got that. Louis Saha also blossomed and at the time of writing (30th December 06) sits as United's top scorer with 12 goals, Ronaldo on 10 and Rooney on 8. Fergie proved himself right once again, Ruud van Nistelrooy had to go and it benefitted the club.

United won 16 out of their 20 Premier league games, drawing two and losing two. Qualified top of their group in Europe and despite being knocked out of the Carling Cup look forward to a home tie in the FA Cup versus Aston Villa. Four points ahead of Chelsea after twenty games and in pole position. Things are going better than we could have dreamed.

At the end of 2006 the Manchester Evening News printed, "The cracks are so wide that not even a manager with Ferguson's motivational skills can paper over them. If Fergie can arrest this shocking and alarming slump it will rank with anything he's achieved in all his years at the club."

What a difference a year makes. Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates his birthday on New Years Eve with his team top of the league, still in the Champions League and the FA Cup. We are still very much a team in transition and regardless of where the title ends up Ferguson has proven his doubters all wrong again, Rooney and Ronaldo are firing United to the top together, Saha has buried the memory of Ruud.

Altogether United have EXPLODED back onto the scene, we're in the driving seat for our trophy and it tastes sweet after the trials and tribulations of 2006.

Happy New Year!

SANTA WEARS RED, JOSÉ

2006-12-26T19:51:00.000Z

Following Chelsea’s last gasp undeserved victory over Wigan Athletic on the Saturday before Christmas Jose Mourinho claimed “Santa wears blue!” in his post match conference referring to the fact Chelsea’s victory was lucky and was something of an unexpected gift!

Boxing Day arrived with Manchester United leading Chelsea by two points at the top of the league with Reading travelling to Abramovic’s Chelsea and Wigan travelling to Old Trafford many expected it to remain that way, with Chelsea taking pole position atleast for a few hours.
An own goal by Essien on the 85th-minute meant Chelsea drew the game 2-2 and had missed the opportunity to go top for a few hours, meaning a weakened United side went out against Wigan sitting top of the league by a point with one game in hand.

Ferdinand, Giggs and Neville were omitted from the sixteen with Saha and Ronaldo relegated to the bench. Rooney started up front along side Solskjaer, with O’Shea, Brown, Silvestre and Fletcher all starting too.

Wigan were without Lee McCulloch who was suspended and Heskey played up front despite suggestions he may miss the game. Camara was also out, through injury.

The game started with Manchester United playing as if they’d never made any changes to the starting line up and the football was quick and direct, Fletcher and Scholes supplied Rooney and Solskjaer with early opportunities which were not converted, with Park being back to his usual energetic self trying to probe the brave Wigan defence.

Rooney was foiled by Kirkland in the Wigan goal from six yards out, when the ex-Liverpool & Coventry keeper made a superb save. Silvestre’s shot was then again excellently saved by Kirkland and then Rooney had a shot flash wide.

As the half wore on the United faithful became restless, desperate for a goal to get the team that four point difference but “Mourinho, are you listening?” and “United, United top of the league!” kept reverberating around the Theatre of Dreams as the half drew to a close.

At the break, Ferguson introduced Cristiano Ronaldo for Scottish midfielder, Darren Fletcher and the move paid dividends with Ronaldo scoring two goals in five minutes to wrap the game up for Manchester United.

Paul Scholes flighted in a corner and the unmarked Ronaldo headed in his ninth-league goal of the campaign, his tenth came when Park Ji-Sung was brought down by Teale and the referee awarded a penalty.

Ronaldo’s penalty was initially saved by Kirkland but the rebound was scored and Ronaldo’s tenth league goal of the season sent United 2-0 up and wrapped the points up.

Songs again came from the United faithful, “That boy Ronaldo made England look shite”, “We shall not be moved” and the rest of the pack came out. And, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United legend raced through onto a Wayne Rooney flick on party time began as he put United three ahead and secured a comfortable victory.

Wigan did get a consolation goal though, when the referee gave a harsh penalty against Mikael Silvestre. Wright appeared to be brought down by Silvestre when he raced through only for replays to show Silvestre got a touch on the ball before the player. Leighton Baines banged the penalty home straight down the middle giving the diving Van Der Sar no chance. It was virtually the last kick of the game, Van Der Sar will have been upset to lose his clean sheet but Sir Alex Ferguson will be feeling that the two Christmas fixtures have gone well.

Ferguson said of Ronaldo’s introduction, “I had a feeling he’d change the game, we needed a quick response to what happened in the first half and Cristiano is in such great form, it was an obvious move. He lit up the crowd got us two goals, which is just what we were looking for!”

So, United lead the table after twenty games by four points after what can be seen as a successful festive fixture programme. Two wins from two, with Reading coming up on Saturday at Old Trafford.

See José, Santa wears Red!

We Shall Not Be Moved?

2006-11-28T21:34:00.000Z

When arriving at Old Trafford on Sunday the general consensus amongst fans was that we could win this game, rather than the hope that we had the season before.

United had come into the game on the back of a 7-game winning streak in the league, the best form in England and heading the table by three points ahead of Chelsea - whom, in contrast to United's start had lost two league games already and by their set standards was very poor.

So United, written off by many, could move six points clear of Chelsea with victory and it had seemed that way after fourty-five minutes of football.

United looked dangerous, the movement of Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney & Saha had troubled Chelsea's defence and the battling performances by Scholes & Carrick had silenced Chelsea's midfield of Lampard, Makelele and Ballack.

When United made the breakthrough on about the half an hour mark, we thought we'd go onto win it. Let's be honest, Chelsea were shite up until the break! Carrick's interception set Giggsy on his way, he found Wazza with a pass who in turn fed Saha through. Saha was faced by Terry & Carvalho and judging by his day in Parkhead wouldn't have surprised many by blazing it over or losing it to the defenders. But, he showed what had got him back from injury setback after setback. Showed what had forced United's most clinical goalscorer out of the club. That bouncebackability, he stood his ground and slotted the ball past a stretching Carvalho and Cudicini. 1-0 United and in control!

As I said, Chelsea were shite up until the break. United had more of the chances over the 90 minutes and rightly so missed a very good opportunity but Chelsea must be creditted for turning around a truely shit performance into a performance which got them away from OT without a third league defeat of the season. Robben's introduction meant Essien was pushed wide, and he troubled us. They scored from a set piece and from their goal, United again looked like the only team who would win it. We never though and that brings me to another point.

If United really want to win the league we need to sign one or two players in the transfer window. Our first eleven is as good as if not, better than Chelsea's, I can safely say that. What United lacked was a midfielder or striker to come on when we were under the cosh and put his foot in or fear the Chelsea defence. Fergie clearly hadn't intended on making any subs, he was forced to though through the worst circumstances - injuries to Ronaldo and Saha.

Signing a midfielder and striker in the window, would I think, see us winning the league. There have been names touted about; Hargreaves, Nani, Torres, Huntelaar, Darren Bent & Defoe to name a few.

Hargreaves and Torres/Huntelaar would be most United's fans preferred two and they would add something extra to United. Without the talent on the bench to come on and close down the midfield or stretch the opposition's defence United will drop needless points during games in the season just like we did on Sunday.

If we can get through until January without losing that slender three point lead or even increasing that we could then sign the players to see us through to the Summer and see us regain our trophy - without signings in January, Fergie's job and the player's will be made even harder. Injuries will surely set us back again and the youngsters will be forced to come in and do a job under intense scrutiny and pressure. Do we really want to squander our trophy for a third year running?

On to the good news though, Solskjaer and Park will return to training this week and United have looked good this year. Far better than any other English team, that's for sure. The slickness, speed, style and ferocity. Highest scorers in the league, tightest defence in the league. Surely a recipe for success?

Come next May, I really think Fergie will have his ninth Premiership title wrapped up.

"WE WANT OUR TROPHY BACK!"

Smudge Shows The Way

2006-11-03T00:19:00.000Z

In the FA Cup clash versus Liverpool last season, a poor United display resulting in a 1-0 defeat was overshadowed by a horrific injury sustained by Alan Smith. In closing down a John Arne Riise free kick, Smudge sustained a dislocated ankle and a broken leg. In that same fixture Liverpool’s fans had thrown shit and piss at United fans, sang Munich songs and had then took it upon themselves to sing “John Arne Riise, I wanna know how you broke Smith’s leg?” and then pelt his ambulance with rocks and stones while trying to tip it over.

So on the eve of the Liverpool fixture this season it would have been understandable and enjoyable from a United fans perspective if Alan Smith had come out and unleashed a volley of abuse at Liverpool and their scummy support. Something along the lines of, "The goings-on that day repulsed me. The Kop sang a sick chant, the Bin Dippers players and their manager seemed more interested in winning a cup tie than worrying about my playing career, and the police and paramedics did nothing when a shower of yobs pelted my ambulance with stones. It's payback time for the scumbags."

Instead Smith chose to maintain the high standards of professionalism which Manchester United have been associated for so long, he chose the high road, he chose to save face and instead look on the bright side. He’s back playing football and he’s at the best club in the World. Pre-Liverpool he said this, "Sunday will be the first time I'll have been able to thank all the people at Liverpool who helped me. For every Liverpool person who did something like that with the ambulance there were a million others who wished me well."

Was this the same Alan Smith? The same Alan Smith who had been perceived as a bad lad for so long?

What a difference to Jose Moan-inho’s comments in Chelsea’s programme pre-Barcelona. Like Smith, Mourinho had mulled over horrific injuries. The injury in question the skull fracture to Petr Cech, sustained in the Premier League fixture with Reading. An injury as accidental as Alan Smith’s leg break.

Mourinho could have used his programme notes to say his reaction immediately after the Reading game was over the top, on second viewings Stephen Hunt’s actions were clearly accidental and Reading had given Petr Cech professional treatment, it was now time to put the whole situation away and move on.

Instead he insisted Hunt’s actions were purposeful, he referred to Hunt as a “hunter” and lied about the ambulance service saying it took thirty minutes to arrive when in fact records show it took seven minutes. Even having time to cool down, Mourinho remained close to his utterly stupid words and wanted the world to know that Hunt had injured his player on purpose and should be treated like Ben Thatcher.

So why then does he need to heap more pressure on to Reading, a newly promoted club who gave Cech quality treatment and have apologised since the incident? Why question the NHS, almost saying they intended to mistreat Chelsea? Has Mourinho taken the siege mentality too far? Is it time they took a leaf out of Manchester United’s book and were professional like reigning Champions?

Maybe they are hated for their unlimited wealth, but maybe even more so they are hated because their utter lack of respect, professionalism and honesty.When people think of Chelsea, they don’t think of the English Champions they think of this man, Mourinho, who has a big problem with the whole world it seems who he feels are going against his team. Yeah right!

When compared to Alan Smith though, Chelsea are shown in the true light. That a 25-year old can be so professional shows that Chelsea are not this big power they portray themselves to be they are something to be pitied and if/when Manchester United reclaim our trophy back off them in May it will only mean Chelsea’s professionalism will stoop to new lows.

Form is Temporary, Class is Permanent

2006-10-15T14:48:00.000+01:00

Wayne Rooney went into the Premier League fixture with the eye's of the world on him. For the first time in his short career people had started to question his ability, barely twenty and labelled the "White Pelé" yet people found it possible to question whether his career would go as so many had believed it would.

Having being rushed back during the World Cup in Germany and then having a ridiculous ban stop his preparations for the season Rooney had played seven games in as many months.

Despite a roaring start to the season versus Fulham, he had returned only to play poorly for United, off the pace a little and a shadow of the strutting, arrogant footballer, who bows to no one and backs up his ability against the very best in the world.

Many sources in the pathetic English media had blamed him for their World Cup exit, after a month of tears over his metatarsal injury. Many sources in the English media had blamed him for England's pathetic performances versus Macedonia and Croatia. Those same sources also claimed he'd lost it, he'd never be the same again and most of all "is he that good?".

They had built this player up and were prepared to knock him down, all the while though United and the United fans had stood by their player. They knew he'd come good, it was only a matter of time he just needed to build his fitness. For fuck sake he's Le Blanc Pelé, the best thing to hit Old Trafford since Le Roi, the King, Cantona.

Everyone wanted to know why he was going through this spell and how long it'd last, Fergie claimed the media wanted it to last as long as possible as it'd sell them more papers than if he didn't have a bad spell.

Coming up next was Wigan, the team he had scored four times against in three appearances last season, the team he had won his first proper trophy against, he had to turn up for this one!

Rooney displayed a performance of character, passion, ability, skill and threw everything back at those "brainless idiots", as Paul Jewell put it, who questioned him.
When he challenged Emerson Boyce, got the ball despite being pulled all over the place, ran though three defenders got fouled, bounced straight back up and only for an illegal two footed challenge to go unpenalised would have tore the Wigan defence to shreds further.

His second half display proved he had never gone anywhere, he was still the same Waz. Fergie was enraged at the doubters and earlier in the week blasted them by saying:
"Sometimes young players start believing what they read and it can be destructive. I have seen it many times. He's your number one seller. You had Paul Gascoigne, David Beckham, George Best. You look for a hero that you can sell papers with and he's your hero at the moment."

Fergie had seen it all before, he knew the media were trying to knock down one of his star men and Rooney must have knew it too. After flipping the "V" sign at the England fans who gave him some abuse, he flipped the "V" sign at those writers in the media who had doubted him.

Never had the term "Form is Temporary, Class is Permanent" meant so much, Rooney had never gone anywhere he was just building his fitness up after Sven and the FA had rushed him back from a foot injury.

Fergie said, "That was Wayne's best display of the season!"..and with the Bin Dippers, Liverpool, the favourites for the title who have dropped as many points as they have won this season coming to Old Trafford next weekend Fergie and the United fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of ''the Wayne Rooney show'' returning to the Theatre of Dreams.

Is It Really That Bad?

2006-09-27T23:15:00.000+01:00

So after an impressive start to the season seeing United win 5 out of 5 games in all competitions, people began to take us seriously again. Following predictions of 4th from the Times Online, the Sun and SkySports, they all started to change their minds. With Andy Gray putting United down as his favourite for the title.

Coming up next was Arsenal, sitting in 17th position, at Old Trafford. They had no Henry & no Van Persie; United had Rooney & Scholes returning from their three match bans. Would United falter against a stuttering Arsenal side?

Many didn't expect what had happened, but it did happen and it highlighted United's weaknesses. We lost 1-0 in a game both sides looked like winning, a game that had 0-0 written all over it. The weaknesses it highlighted was that we needed someone in the middle of the park that would get among the opposition, put the frighteners on them and hurry the opponents. That's exactly what Hargreaves brings to a side, exactly what I hope he will bring to the side when/if he seals a move to United in the coming year.

Anyways back to what we have. Arsenal played a 5 in midfield and never gave United any breathing space. That's exactly what United had done to them in past seasons, suffocated them when they were in possession.

Another "worry" was the performance of Wayne Rooney, he looked a beaten man when he walked off the pitch and it's something we haven't seen from the young superstar. He is just that, young. I think the press need to stop interfering in his life, give him some space and relieve the stress off the kid because it is taking it's toll and Fergie has warned it would happen when Rooney first signed for United.

Coming up next was Reading, it finished 1-1 but United should have won the game. Comfortably. Ronaldo was amazing again and silenced some of the boos from the home support with a superb solo effort.
So United had dropped another two points but is it something to worry about as much as some are? I don't think so.

Our first XI is as good as any in Europe, it's the incapabilities we have once a few injuries hit in and that's been the problem with United, well I feel it's changing.

I know I'm going to get some hassle now but I can see it changing as the season progresses; Fletcher, O'Shea, Richardson, Jones (Davey) & Park are my reasons for this change.

In those five players we have youth, desire, experience (bar Jones), attacking minded players and defensive minded players.

Fletcher after Ronaldo & Giggs has been United's best player this season, O'Shea was over run versus Benfica (I'll get onto that game in a while) and kept steady despite being crowded out in the middle of the park, Richardson showed at the end of last season he can be a "United player", Park - well what can I say about Park that you don't already know and Jonesy.

Well Jonesy, this boy is an excellent talent. A superb player in the Reserves who given some opportunities in the first team will excel, I feel. He has a football brain, is box-to-box, can pass, can score and on occasions can put a tackle in.

These five players, I believe if they can maintain consistency (which will come with experience), can be the difference between United winning or missing out on the title.

Now onto the Benfica game, what a goal by Saha eh? United were as woeful as Benfica's strikers in the first half, they couldn't string passes together and were out of sync with each other. Benfica's players will diving around like tarts; prompting Ronaldo to tell them to stop diving and Scholesy calling one a "fuckin' puff"!

In the second half United came out improved, passing the ball, moving and attacking more often. United could still improve and will improve but Saha came up with the goods and the job was done. Mission accomplished - six points from six so far.

So is it as bad as some say? NO!
We are top of our Champions League group and one more win will see us through.
We're two points off first position in the league, but our team has improved massively from last season with Chelsea, in my opinion, taking a step backwards.
United have Giggs, Park, Smith, Vidic, Heinzé & Rooney who are coming back from injury or gaining fitness/form which is something to look forward too and will massively improve United.

I still believe we can win the league and two league performances won't change my mind about that and shouldn't change your mind about it. Our players are growing in confidence, in experience, mentally and have made their best start to a Premier League season ever.
We have Chelsea, Liverpool & Newcastle coming up at home. Three games we can win, but three games we could lose. When United are faced with a challenge though we always come through it and if we can collect nine points from them it could see us back on top of the pile.

Chelsea look beatable, so will drop points and if by Christmas United are back on top I'd put my house on it that we'll take the title.

In fact, I'll put my head on the line now and say UNITED WILL WIN THE TITLE!

...and in the Red corner!

2006-08-28T21:10:00.000+01:00

So Manchester United and manager Sir Alex Ferguson are in decline, they are going to finish 4th this season said the previews.

After three games Manchester United are back where they belong on top of the pile looking down on the rest, with their nearest rivals being O'Neill's Villains. Now I know it's only three games but United have shown their strength in depth already and their hunger for another title.

The youngsters are coming of age; Fletcher, O'Shea, Ronaldo & Rooney have played out of their skins and "old timers" like Giggs & Scholes have rolled back the years. Would you honestly trade Giggs or Scholes for any player in their position? Every Red would say a resounding "No!".

Against Fulham, United were 4-0 up within 20 minutes of breathtaking attacking football that tore the Cottagers to shreds and had silenced some of the critics who had predicted United would struggle, a prediction of 2-2 by those oh so right men at Sky Sports. United won 5-1 and Scholes and Rooney signed off before their ridiculous three match bans.

Prior to United's demolition of Fulham, Arsenal opened up the Ali Baba Airport Stadium with a 1-1 draw versus Villa and Liverpool drew 1-1 versus Warnock's Blades after Gerrard had dived to get a penalty for the equalizing goal to be scored. Chelsea also beat the big club itself, City 3-0 at the Bridge.

Next up for United were Charlton at the Valley, no Rooney & Scholes who had started their bans, many suggested United would falter. Did we fuck? We won 3-0 comfortably with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scoring his first competitive goal in 3 years.

The day was made even more cheerful when Boro beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Riverside with a last minute Viduka goal, bring on the Chelsea side who acted with more arrogant behaviour by snubbing the Boro boys' shirt swapping tradition.

Roll on Saturday, United were travelling to Vicarage Road and were expecting a tough game and Chelsea were heading up to Ewood Park where they had lost 1-0 last season.

United had taken the lead through a "Silvestre special" and when Francis equalized United fans thought it was too good to be true but unlike the previous seasons United stood up to the pressure and made sure they got what they came for. Giggs pounced on a loose pass back, rounded the keeper and comfortably blasted the ball in the net. 3 points. Job done.

Chelsea beat Blackburn 2-0, after Terry dived for a penalty and Blackburn were denied one. Arsenal lost in Manchester 1-0 after a Barton penalty meant City took all three points, Liverpool also won 2-1 but not once did they look anything special bar a one-off Agger super curler from about 30 yards.

So after three games of the season, a patched up United side are the only team with an 100% win record; ten goals scored, two conceded, nine points and top of the league meanwhile Chelsea sit 5th with 6/9 points, Liverpool 7th with 4/6 points and Arsenal 17th with 1/6 points.

Now I know it's only three games gone but United already have a points difference between the other three horses and with Tottenham & Arsenal coming up tougher times lay ahead but that 4th place predicted by many it seems a far cry from the way United have started.

With Neville, Vidic, Heinze, Scholes & Rooney to return to the fold United will improve and things will only get better at the Theatre of Dreams. Tottenham, Arsenal & Reading are between United getting another 9 points from the next three games and if no serious injuries are picked up in this international break you wouldn't bet against it.

Sir Alex Ferguson is showing hunger which he hasn't shown in the last two seasons. At Vicarage Road he was bouncing around the technical area again, pointing at his watch, shouting at the referee and lambasting his players at any sight of inconsistency. We've finally got the old man back to his usual self, he's hungry for more and with him in our side we have an advantage that others don't.

He's been around the block more than any and knows what it takes when the going gets tough, with players like Neville, Scholes & Giggs helping the youngsters along we won't be far off when the trophies are handed out next May.

May I also take this chance to wish Roy Keane good luck on his appointment as Sunderland manager, who I'm sure will be every Red's fans second team this year. GOOD LUCK, ROY!

Discuss your thoughts on the season ahead here
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Republik of Mancunia

Is This Our Year?

2006-08-14T21:27:00.000+01:00

As the new season approaches United fans around the World will be asking themselves, "Is this our year?"

Following pre-season there are reasons to be cheerful; Scholes, Heinzé, Giggs and Solskjaer are on form, Saha is fit, we're scoring goals, the youngsters are great, Ronaldo is thriving off the "rough treatment", positive results and apart from the departure of Van Nistelrooy we've kept our core players.

But as always it seems with United's pre-season injuries have struck. Carrick is out until the game versus Tottenham & Rooney, Neville and Ferdinand are all struggling to make the opening League showdown against Fulham at Old Trafford and there's also the FA decision to come on whether Scholes and Rooney will be banned for three matches after silly red cards in the Amsterdam tournament.

Last season United's hopes of challenging for the major honours were hit badly by injuries and inconsistency in selections and performances. Long term injuries occured with Heinzé, Giggs, Scholes, Saha, Keane, Neville & Solskjaer (any I've missed?) as well as Ronaldo taking time off due to the death of his father. Injuries to big players like that would cripple any side and United found themselves losing against inferior opposition at home and in Europe, falling behind in Europe and embarrasingly dropping out of the group stages of the Champions League.

As always Ferguson was told to step down by those in the media but as always he got the team playing football again. We finished second within 8 points of Chelsea, which is an achievment considering the points difference at Christmas and we won a piece of silverware, albeit the Carling Cup.

Now as we gear up for a new season the papers and pundits alike are claiming Liverpool are better than United because they've signed Bellamy, Pennant, Gonzales, Palletta & Aurelio. Players who in my opinion wouldn't make the United bench.

United have signed Michael Carrick and Tomasz Kusczak and are in the process of signing another midfielder and possibly a striker. With the high profile departures of Van Nistelrooy, Fortune, Howard (on loan), Foster (on loan) and Spector.

As it stands I think United can have a succesful season and these are the players I have earmarked as our key men:

Rio Ferdinand:
In my opinion the best defender in the World, cool, calm, elegant and makes defending look easy. If he can steer away from injury and maintain his form United's defence will be unbeatable, with Gabi and Nev on the flanks and Vidic or Wes partnering him we have one of the best defence's in the World, and he's the key component to that.

Cristiano Ronaldo:
If he can shrug off the boo boys and do his talking with his feet he'll be hard to handle. At the end of last season he found an end product and the World Cup has seen him progress as a player, it was vital United held onto him and he can lead United into a new era.

Paul Scholes:
United missed him sorely last season and his vision, goals, distribution and presence are what United need in the midfield. He has looked sharp in pre-season and if he can keep that up throughout the season we can expect a good goals return and he can have a big impact on the team.

Wayne Rooney:
With Van Nistelrooy now departed it is vital he doesn't pick up an injury or suspensions as he is now our key figure up front. Alongside Saha last season he was dangerous and if he and Saha can cover the goals Van Nistelrooy was scoring United will be taking steps closer to getting their trophy back!

Of course there are players such as Van Der Sar, Neville, Heinzé, Giggs, Carrick and Saha but if those players are on their game you can guarantee United are playing at the top of their game, exciting, flowing, beautiful football but also winning.

THE GAFFER:

If you believe the papers Sir Alex is under pressure this year and this is his "make or break" season, that's "bollocks" as the great man himself said after the Chelsea game last season. Of course he wants to knock Chelsea off their fuckin' perch but I don't think his job is under pressure.

Regardless of how many times you say it the last two seasons have been transitional and this summer it looks like United are finally becoming a unit, with top players in each position and look like a Championship winning side again.Which manager would have got United a trophy and a 2nd place position last season? Nobody but Fergie!

He's made moves into the transfer market already with the big signing of Carrick and a cover goalkeeper in young and talented Pole - Tomasz Kusczak.

He has also promised atleast one more midfielder and there is a possibility he could sign a striker with United being linked with Torres, Tevez & Adriano.He has also brought on the "reserves" and they look a promising bunch who can give United cover in case of serious injury problems, which is pleasing.

Fergie will be around for a while yet and I can't wait to see the man at his best this year!

VERDICTS:

Premier League:
United will be pushing the Russians this term all the way, an improved midfield with new boy Carrick and fit again Scholes and I can see United going all the way. It will be tight though and my verdict is... Winners/Runners Up by a couple of points.

Champions League:
I think United's focus on the Premier League may take an edge away from the Champions League although with players like Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs & Scholes you can never right us off. My verdict...Semi Finals.

FA Cup:
It's hard to make a verdict on the FA Cup as anyone can win it, I think United can win it and because of that I'll say they'll win it. My verdict...Winners.

Carling Cup:
Our youngsters are impressive and I can see Fergie fielding his fledglings in this tournament, maybe the latter stages for the Class of '06. My verdict...Quarter Finals.

Top Scorer:
Louis Saha - United need a big season from this man and if he can stay injury free we can expect a good return of 20 plus from him.

Discuss my predictions and give your thoughts on the coming season here
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Republik of Mancunia

SOLSKJAER - 10 YEARS ON

2006-08-07T01:13:00.000+01:00

He put the ball in the Germans' net, he put the ball in the Scousers' net, and he even put the ball in Nottingham Forest's net four times in 11 minutes.

These three things though don't come close to half of the 20LEgend.

Solskjaer last week celebrated 10 years at Old Trafford, the only "foreign player" to reach such a feat.

As a true Red it seems disloyal to label the Baby Faced Assassin with a "foreign player" tag as he has captured mine as well as millions of other Red Mancunian's hearts around the World.

When Solskjaer was struck with seemingly continuous knee injuries it seemed as we had seen the last of the player, even Sir Alex himself thought he was finished. The only man who never doubted for one minute he'd be back was Ole himself.

He had the belief and dedication to get his dream of a return in the Red of United, knock back after knock back he maintained the heart when most would have given up and he is back.

He made it back against Burton Albion and Birmingham City to stir the emotions in United fans around the World. Even then though, it seemed as if they were the last throes of a truely remarkable career, a career diamond studded, laced with golden highlights, memories and a commitment to the cause, the United cause in a time of mercenary footballers.

And here we are on a brink of yet another season and Sir Alex has the faith in Solskjaer to bury the space left by another Red legend, Van Nistelrooy as one of five strikers this term.

The United faithful took to him from the outset on his debut in 1996 versus Blackburn Rovers when he scored, six minutes after coming on as a sub. The Baby Faced Assassin netted 5 times in 233 minutes of football, only one of those as a starter which was the birth of the "Super Sub" tag which has grown to irritate him throughout his United career.

He went onto grab 18 goals in his first season as United regained their Premier League trophy, though he couldn't nail a first team spot.

Teddy Sheringham was bought into replace Eric "The King" Cantona, the following Summer Dwight Yorke was shipped in from Aston Villa for £12.6m and it seemed Ole was destined to be frustrated at Manchester United.

He would not be denied though and he saw being sat on the substitutes bench as a challenge and an opportunity. Tottenham Hotspurs offered £5.5m for his services, he turned it down after United had paved the way for him to go grab first team football.

Yorke's arrival meant another obstacle to get over, but he had none of it. Any move from United was a step down and Solskjaer wanted to stay, something which the gaffer was encouraged by.

The field was set for Solskjaer's knee-sliding, tear jerking, heart stopping winner in the Nou Camp on the 26th May 1999. That image of Solskjaer will stay in any United's fans memory who witnessed that great night but that is not all he brought to the historic Treble campaign.

His 18 goals in 18 league games, capped off by the four goals versus Nottingham Forest in 11 minutes in an 8-1 win was sensational.

Oh yeah, he also "stuck the ball in the Scousers' net" that year in the FA Cup Fourth Round in the dying minutes of a tie Manchester United at one stage were losing.

Yet the "Norweigan Manc" couldn't hold a spot down in the first team until 2002, when David Beckham injured his infamous metatarsal and Solskjaer replaced him with ease scoring 16 goals in that season in a new role.

The following season though the troubles started, he picked up an injury versus Panathinaikos in a Champions League game which lead to extensive knee surgery. Following his comeback last Christmas the future was still dull, and Fergie had at one stage prepared to deliver the news that all in Red had dreaded.

Then Solskjaer popped up at a training session, a spring in his step, a twinkle in his eye, and United backtracked.

Even when a fractured cheekbone sustained in a reserve team game in March added to the supporters' fears, Solskjaer was not giving up the ghost.

Ferguson responded by handing him a new two-year deal and outlining his intentions to keep him at OT for as long as he could, as a coach and an ambassador.

It's not the end for Solskjaer, or even the beginning of the end. There is no end to legend.

Discuss your favourite Solskjaer moments and his future at United here

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RUUD TO REGRETS?

2006-07-30T15:57:00.000+01:00

Ruud van Nistelrooy completed his move to Real Madrid and admitted his pain at leaving the club he had grown to love, saying that his deteriorating relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson was the reason for the transfer.

Ruud van Nistelrooy had become a fans favourite during his time at Old Trafford and was destined to become the club's greatest ever scorer, with a record of 150 goals in 200 starts (219 apps) Sir Bobby Charlton's club record of 247 goals was certaintly within reach of the prolific 30-year old Dutchman.

It started in 2000 when Ruud van Nistelrooy was all ready to join United until he failed his medical and days later suffered a horrific knee injury which would delay his transfer for a year. Whilst Ruud was recovering from his injury Sir Alex showed his faith and desire to capture the Dutchman by visiting him in hospital and being in constant contact with the striker, something which in 2001 lead Van Nistelrooy to snub Real Madrid and finally sign for Manchester United.

The striker repaid Fergie's faith and United fans got an early glimpse of the striker in the Community Shield when he scored a consolation goal in a 2-1 defeat versus Liverpool and then followed it up with a League debut double versus Fulham at Old Trafford in a 3-2 win, the Van man had arrived and his compatriot Edwin Van Der Sar in the Fulham goal knew all about it! Ruud ended his debut season with 36 goals and had created an amazing record breaking partnership with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in which the deadly duo notched 61-goals between them.
Something which was massively eclipsed in 2002/03 when he scored an incredible 44-goals which helped United topple Arsenal and lift his first and only League trophy with the club. In that time Ruud van Nistelrooy became the only man to score in eight consecutive league games and scored an amazing solo goal versus Fulham.

In 2003/04 he scored 30 goals for the club which ended in him bagging a double versus Millwall in the FA Cup final, the score ended 3-0 and Van Nistelrooy picked up his second trophy with the Red Devils. The Dutchman had proved to be one of United's most prolific strikers in the three seasons at the club, breaking all sorts of records and scoring 110 goals, proving that Fergie was right to wait for his man.

2004-05 proved to be Ruud's less productive season as it was hampered with injury. He scored 16 goals in 27 appearances and was still the Champions Leagues' top scorer with eight goals. In that time Van Nistelrooy had become United's all-time leading European goalscorer, toppling the King of the Stretford End, Dennis Law's record. 38 goals in 47 Champions League games was his European record for United. It was also revealed that Van Nistelrooy had asked for a transfer request, the first time, on the same day of the FA Cup Final in which Manchester United, despite dominating, squandered many chances and lost on penalties to Arsenal.

Ruud van Nistelrooy remained at United and in 2005-06 was United's top scorer yet again notching 24-goals but it was another troubled season for the striker. From August 2005 to February 2006 he was a regular scoring 19 goals, scoring an amazing goal versus Charlton at the Valley, chest and volley to perfection. This game was also special because he scored his first goal for United outside of the box.

The New Year though saw rumours of a rift between Van Nistelrooy and Fergie. Sir Alex gave him a "test" by starting games with Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney. The first time in five years Van Nistelrooy had found himself not first choice anymore and the "test" was failed. It is thought Van Nistelrooy's attitude dropped and it came to the forefront in the Carling Cup Final when Saha started and Van Nistelrooy remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes. Despite celebrating with the fans during the game Ruud found it hard to do the same with the team and left the pitch promptly.

He was benched for the following 6-games, with rumours of a rift dismissed, he came back to score vital goals versus West Ham and Bolton in the title run in but when Van Nistelrooy was dropped in favour of young Guiseppe Rossi for the final league game of the season versus Charlton, he stormed out of Old Trafford before kick off and Ferguson stopped him from playing in Keano's testimonial, Ferguson said there were a "number of issues to be discussed with the club's directors" and that he affected the "spirit at the club".

That seemed to be the last straw at United and during the World Cup Van Nistelrooy was also dropped by Marco Van Basten. Had Ferguson been the first to see a fall in attitude, determination and the rest of it?

Before he left though Sir Alex praised the player's attitude as he returned to training and had considered keeping the player, Ruud van Nistelrooy signed for Real Madrid in an £11m deal which will see him team up with former United team mate David Beckham. Van Nistelrooy remained an honorable man though saying this in his press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu:
"I had an incredible five years in Manchester and I will always remember my time there and the unconditional support from the fans.
I never got to say goodbye to Ferguson but there is plenty of time for that. I owe him a lot and that is why it was so painful.
Ferguson did a lot for me, waiting for me while I was injured then giving me the chance to play and giving me confidence," it was nice to see the player we have grown to love not disrespect us, and it was good to see he returned to training and had the chance to say goodbye to the staff and the players."

Manchester United also released this statement:
"Manchester United would like to wish Ruud all the best at his new club and thank him for the great service he provided."

So the end of a legend's United career, but was it coincidence that following Ferguson's fallout with the striker that Van Basten also found reason to drop him? Will Sir Alex regret it or will it prove to be another time where Ferguson has got rid of a player just before their sell by date?

It remains to be seen but what has been witnessed by United fan's since 2001 is that Van Nistelrooy is one of the club's true greats, he has written his name in United folklore and will forever be remembered!

Thanks and Good luck!

His record:
League - 95 goals in 137 games (13 as sub)
FA Cup - 14 goals in 11 games (3 as sub)
League Cup - 2 goals in 5 games (1 as sub)
Europe - 38 goals in 45 games (2 as sub)
Charity Shield - 1 goal in 2 games

TOTAL - 150 goals in 200 games (19 as sub)

DISCUSS HERE

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Republik of Mancunia Forum

Nothin' With Kids II?

2006-07-28T01:37:00.000+01:00

As the Summer ran on and no signings were made the same calls we have heard so often came again, "Fergie needs to go!", "He's lost it!". We are talking about the same manager who for twenty years has held Manchester United at the pinnacle of football, top of England, top of Europe and yet these same calls come. Tell me who would have got Manchester United within 8 points of Chelsea last season?, Yes I know second isn't enough but with the injuries, squad, personnel, etc that he had it was some achievement.

For the past three seasons though it's been expected because our main players, the heart and soul of the team, the Treble winners, were coming to an end. From 2004-2006 it's been a time of transition, out with the old and in with the new.

But there is no new I hear you say! Well my pedigree chums there are. For the past two seasons whilst the first team have been struggling to win the league and having to do with successful cup runs I've been watching our reserves and keeping tabs on the players that are to take Manchester United forward. Now our reserves have won the Quadruple in 2004-05 and the Treble in 2005-06. That's some feat for a group of players who have had to deal with management changes, players going out on loan and players being played just to gain fitness e.g. Heinzé & Solskjaer. I've been raving about our players for a while and when I saw the line ups last night for Celtic, I had the utmost confidence in them beating the Scottish Champions, even though Celtic had their full team out!

It was amazing to hear how our players had come through the ranks and the way Ferguson wants them raised. Playing the same style, formation, tactics, etc from youth to reserves to firsts, allowing the players to be demoted/promoted with ease and no difficulty in understanding how things work. These players (Reserves and Firsts) train together, eat together, socialise together week in, week out which is the reason Ferguson attracted youngsters of the calibre of Guiseppe Rossi and Gerard Piqué.

This youth side has a spine, mixture of British talent with the odd overseas player who has been raised in the true United way. Here I'll give a taster of what to expect:

Ben Foster (GK): Young goalkeeper who Fergie snatched from Stoke after watching him on loan in a LDV Cup Final whilst watching his son, Darren. Ben Foster was excellent in helping Watford gain promotion and in his four games in pre-season has kept four clean sheets (obviously excluding the penalty shootout), in the game versus Celtic last night he made three outstanding saves and everything is pointing to a bright future for the lad.

Phillip Bardsley (RB): Bardsley, a Salford-born lad, is the natural replacement for Gary Neville. Strong, no nonsense and as Neville, never really has an outstanding game but is always consistently good. Last season when Red Nev was out injured he stepped into his boots comfortably, playing in the CL & Premier League, with ease that was never expected of the lad.

Jonny Evans (CB): Scored the first goal last night, but he's not about that. Sir Alex Ferguson has likened him to everybody's favourite pundit, Alan Hansen. Cool and calm on the ball and unlike Alan Hansen likes to get in the box whenever there's a sniff of a goal. Had United's first team not been blessed with Rio, Wes, Vida and Piqué this boy would have been in their next season.

David Jones (CM): Apart from Piqué and Rossi he's my favourite of the bunch. Out on loan last season at Preston NE and NEC Nimijen he impressed massively. A box-to-box midfielder with strength, eye for a pass and a goal and is handy when tracking back, I've said on here already that given the chance he will prove to be United's equivalent of Steven Gerrard, and Sir Alex has also sent a message out of how highly he is regarded by telling Jonesy he is in the first team next season.

Lee Martin (LM): Played on the left of midfield last night and impressed thoroughly. Loved having a crack, and despite his first shot going out for a throw in he was close with the others. Quick, clever, skillful and all in all a defender's nightmare.

Guiseppe Rossi (FW): We all know about this boy, the Italian-American who signed for United from Parma. He's a clever footballer and Sir Alex has said he's "the most natural finisher at the Club", considering at the time United had Van Nistelrooy, Scholes and Rooney it's some statement to make. Top goalscorer for the last two seasons in the Reserves' League and with Van Nistelrooy set for a move to Spain it's time for the Italian Stallion to step forward.

That's just six players there, but I could have named another six (Eagles, McShane, Simpson, Gibson, Campbell, etc), but you also have to consider that the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney, Richardson, Fletcher, Brown, Vida, Ferdinand, Piqué, etc are in the age range or youthful themselves that could grow with them to form another formidable Fergie era.

Of course we will need to sign players, as I understand it Michael Carrick is done and dusted, to keep up with Chelsea we will need to. But, take a look at that youth and you see a group that love United and will do anything to be successful at United - not a Obi-Mikel in sight!

When Sir Alex Ferguson said that he would be happy to go into next season with the squad he has and that the fans would be happy. Well, I believed him and I was happy, yes we need to sign one or two players but I'd be confident that with luck with injuries that squad would be able to claim what's rightfully ours and next May 2007 Manchester United would have their trophy back!

I'm sure Ferguson had his critics back in 1996, when he started a game versus Aston Villa with players like Giggs, Neville, Scholes and Beckham & O'Kane coming off the bench. We lost the game 3-1 and Alan Hansen's famous quote came about. I can imagine the critics now, "What's Fergie doing, that Scottish bloke off MOTD is right!". So my friends I come to ask you, what did Sir Alex Ferguson and his "kids" achieve that year? Thank you.

Don't right off United, Don't right off Fergie because Manchester United will get their trophy back!

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May I also use this opportunity to say Thank You & Good Luck to Ruud van Nistelrooy. The United legend is on the verge of a move to Spanish club Real Madrid, where he will team up with another United legend David Beckham. I look forward to seeing them both teaming up again, it's a shame it couldn't be at Old Trafford!

Louis Saha: Flop or the Future?

2006-07-25T02:03:00.000+01:00

Last January it seemed Louis Saha was on his way out of Old Trafford, with a move for Michael Owen seemingly in the pipelines and a return to Fulham for £12m man. Since then though Louis Saha has turned his United career around amazingly and to such dramatic effect.

Saha has seemingly forced one of United's most successful strikers ever out of the club and played such a major part in United winning the Carling Cup and finishing second last season, after pushing Chelsea all the way in the title race.

Louis Saha joined United and was equal with 20 goals with Ruud van Nistelrooy in the season's tallies. After he signed he was unfortunately injury prone and constantly struck down with injuries while on international duty. Knee injuries are his speciality something which has lead to the nickname Mr. Glass Knee.

Saha's attitude has been second to none though, he wanted success at United and on numerous occasions stated he wasn't here for a short period, he wanted to be part of something big. Every time an injury would knock him back but Saha would dust himself up and get on with his rehabilitation.

Come 2005-06 and Saha was played in League Cup games and sparingly in the league by Sir Alex. Saha scored in most League Cup games and thoroughly deserved a spot in the

Carling Cup Final, something which was overshadowed by Fergie's right decision to rest/drop Ruud and give Saha his chance to shine.

Saha scored in a 4-0 romp and went onto become one of United's top scorers notching 17 goals in a formidable triad of Ruud, Rooney and himself.

Whilst Saha was on fire Fergie had other pressing matters on his hands. What to do with Ruud?

Ruud van Nistelrooy's attitude had dropped to an all-time low which was epitomized by his penalty miss versus Middlesbrough. Could it be his attitude changed due to his arguments with Cristiano Ronaldo or had he become upset with the fact he was being overlooked by Fergie? At the time it had seemed it was to do with the Cup Final snub but recently new evidence has come to light.

Ferguson has said Ruud has asked out (either himself or through his agent) on two times prior to his recent transfer request. One occasion being before the FA Cup Final versus Arsenal in which United lost on penalties after dominating but missing that cutting edge up front. Coincidence, that the weekend our usually deadly front man had asked for a transfer? We don't know but since May 2005, Van the Man's decline had started and Saha's rise had begun.

Whatever happens with United and Saha it seems Van Nistelrooy is leaving and I sincerely hope that Ruud van Nistelrooy, a fans favourite, enjoys the rest of his career and is as big a success in Germany or Spain as he has been in the Republik of Mancunia. Every weekend Manchester United fans, Old Trafford or elsewhere, will remember Ruud with a chant.

But, what is plain to see is that Saha has forced himself into the reckoning and gave Fergie reasons to be cheerful should Ruud leave and the Torres 'deal' not go ahead.

What needs to happen though is Saha has one season injury-free, then he will prove how vital he is to United and how successful his career at Old Trafford will be. Season 2006-07 is vital in the career of Louis Saha, one injury could wreck it all but an injury-free one could be the start of something special for the Manchester United number nine.

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Roy Keane: Red Legend 1993-2005

2006-07-24T12:38:00.000+01:00

10th August 1971, a United legend in the making was born. One, Roy Maurice Keane or as all us Reds got to know him Keano.

Born in Cork, Ireland, Roy started his football career playing for Irish side Cobh Ramblers, despite his love for boxing he chose football which may describe a few of his swings at Alan Shearer.

He played for the Ramblers until the late great Brian Clough came in for him and offered him the big move to Nottingham Forest, at the age of eighteen Roy quickly got into the first team and in his first season got a runners up medal in the FA Cup and yet again being on the losing side against Manchester United in a 1-0 defeat adding to his losers’ medals, of which he wasn’t ready to get used to.

When United made their move, despite interest from Barcelona (Maradona once said about Keane, ‘Buy him!, together we’ll play good!’ & Real Madrid, as the song says ‘When he saw Old Trafford he said ‘I fancy that’’. £3.75m was the fee, a club and English record at the time, and Keane started off at United playing up front, right back and eventually settling for his dominant role in centre midfield. And, when Paul Ince left Roy Keane became the driving force we all know and love and went on to be the heart and soul of United.

Playing alongside the likes of Bruce, Pallister, Hughes and the talismanic figure of Cantona, Keane won three Premiership trophies including two doubles in 1994 and 1996.His position was let known by Alex Ferguson when Eric Cantona announced his retirement, handing the captaincy of the Red Devils’ to Keane.

Unfortunately, Roy Keane’s first encounter with long-term friend Alfie Inge-Haaland came less than 2 months later and Roy picked up a cruciate knee injury in a game at Elland Road, home of the Scum. Roy’s presence or the lack of was felt and United and never lifted the Premiership that season.

When Keane returned it was left to see whether he would be the same and in fact he got better and better. Determination, strength, passion, goals, breaking up attacks, stamina and drive was just a little about Keane and he thrived on winning. This was summed up in his biggest career performance versus Juventus, in a Champions League Semi Final 1998-99 where he single handedly got United out of a hole and despite picking up a booking which meant he’d missed the final he got us there. United went on to pick up a historic Treble which was unprecedented. The Premiership, FA Cup and European Cup capped of Fergie and Keano’s finest seasons ever and wrote both of their names in United folklore.

The following season, 1999-2000, Keane’s abilities was right recognized and he picked up the PFA Player of the Year & the Football Writer’s Player of the Year. He was and is what the likes of his rivals Patrick Vieira, Steven Gerrard & Frank Lampard aspire to be and in a midfield alongside the most talented Paul Scholes and with David Beckham and Ryan Giggs on the wings, United had the best midfield ever on their hands and trophies were picked up every season.

Along came 2000-2001, Keane’s most controversial year. His blast at the ‘prawn-sandwich eaters’ after a poor fan display on a European night as well as a blast at his own team mates desire and commitment in Europe, blasts like that are what made the man and he spurred his team mates on and lead through example.Also to come that year was Keano’s part in the Haaland conflict, as he said in his book

'I" f**ckin' hit him, the ball was there (I think)'…Keane never forgot Haaland’s criticism of Keane when he injured himself at Elland Road and he made sure good old Alfie never forgot who he was.

In 2001-2002, Keane drove a United team on who appeared to have a slump and got the team winning again by Christmas, this was a team with new Argentinian £28m signing Juan Seba Veron. Keane picked up a hamstring injury which appeared to end his career but yet again his unique ability to make something out of nothing shone through and he made a ‘miraculous’ recovery and returned after 3 weeks.

Come the Summer of 2002, Keano’s last World Cup it seemed which ended almost before it started. Keane expected better facilities, preparation and sadly Yorkshire man Mick McCarthy never provided that to patriotic Keane’s Ireland which lead to a typical Keane outburst and his sending home, the facilities were later described as ‘Third-World’ of which Keane wasn’t happy. These sort of moments show Keane will be a great manager and give his team everything they deserve the fact that McCarthy never gave this produced a reaction for captain and inspiration Keane. Keane later announced his international retirement.

In August 2003, the autobiography hit the shelves. Keane’s story on everything from the Treble, to Haaland to McCarthy. And, he left no stone unturned. After his outspoken yet honest story about his deliberate actions against Haaland, Keane was branded a ‘psycho’ by the media yet Fergie stood by his man again as did the millions of United fans who let him know we were there for him.

Since 2003-2005, Keane was used sparingly by Fergie after his hip operations and constant niggling injuries yet Keane grabbed his 50th goal vs. Birmingham City at Old Trafford following a 53-game goal drought. Keane wasn’t the same player and his age was showing but that didn’t stop performances like those of the 2004-05 season at Highbury.

In the tunnel his old adversary had a few words and tried acting ‘heavy’ with Gary Neville, the now United skipper. Keano showed he was still the heartbeat of this side and with fire in his eyes told Vieira they’d settle it on the pitch. After 3 minutes, it seemed Vieira’s would win the battle and ram Keano’s words down his throat but Keano pulled the side on and got control of United’s three attacking threats Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo and Rooney and pushed United on. United won 4-2. This epitomized his career.

Roll on 2005-06, and Keano wasn’t happy. After an outburst at his lacklustre team-mates on MUTV, Keane was reprimanded by Fergie and the start of the long, goodbye seemed to start. Keane’s word though were felt and Manchester United went on to beat Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal at Old Trafford with Smith saying following the Chelsea game that ‘we needed a reminder we are at a big club, unlike before!’ Keane’s words were felt but it was to be the end in the same season Keane left Manchester United by ‘mutual consent.’

Joining Celtic, his boyhood dream was lived out, but there was one pressing matter. Would he give United fans their dream? One more night in a United shirt. Keane said ‘Yes!’ and in a testimonial won 1-0 by United, Keane represented both Celtic and the Reds. On an emotional night, Keane said thank you to the United fans and there was tears in the eyes of most. He and Fergie shook hands and it made what was a fitting end to one of the greatest careers ever.

12th June 2006 came along and Roy Keane has been forced to end his career due to injuries. One thing is for sure he will never be forgotten, after a career spanning 13 years (1993-2006) Keane lifted 7 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, a European Cup and an Intercontinental trophy in his time. As well as numerous Charity Shields and other accolades.

Keane was described as the best Premiership player ever by Alan Hansen, the BBC Pundit.

Keano will never be forgotten and his retirement comes as a sad time to all involved with United. He is recognized by everybody in the footballing world as one of the finest to ever grace this beautiful game of ours, Keano you never will be forgotten and will be sadly missed at Old Trafford. I, as will others continue to sing your name and will love to see you back at Manchester United in a coaching, or any other capacity.

Thank You & Good Luck.

What They Said?

Roy Keane (after his testimonial)

‘That’s it really. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life. All the best!’

Roy Keane (on his retirement):
‘Having received medical advice from my surgeon and the Celtic doctor, my only option is to retire.I would like to send the manager, the staff, the players and supporters my very best wishes for the future’(Always a man of very little words)

Sir Alex Ferguson (following Keano's retirement):
‘Roy’s obsession with winning and the demand he put on others made him the most influential player in the dressing room.He became a great captain through that and to my mind he’s the best player I’ve had in all my time here. Over the years when they start picking the best teams of all time, he’ll be in there.His display in Turin 1999 was selfless; just wonderful. It was a tragedy he couldn’t play in the final in Barcelona’

Neil Custis (The Sun, 13th June 2006):
‘The light went out on Roy Keane's footballing life the day he left Manchester United last November. He tried to revive the old Keano up at Celtic but his mind and body just would not let him.He was really only ever a one-club man and he, as much as anybody, made it great.Manchester United have not been and never will be as good without Keane!’

Roy Keane's United Career:
481 appearances/51 goals
English Premier League: 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003.
FA Cup: 1994, 1996, 1999, 2003
Champions League: 1999
Intercontinental Cup: 1999

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