PLF - Nice to see you posting in here! As you've probably noticed, we're a bit short on good ideas of who should come into our midfield, who would you recommend? You clearly have a good knowledge of a host of leagues, is Diarra worth the money? Makoun realistic?
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Manchester United Thread
- Thread starter Vannizzlefashizzal
- Start date
phrase
Tactician
- 12 December 2002
PLF there is enough truth in your entry.I believe we,United fans are suffering in silence over the last couple of years.We are a big club and its kinda heartbreaking that your club arent making much noise in the transfer market as the rivals clubs are.The last time we ever bought a ready-made starplayer was Juan Veron! We as fans do crave for more of these star players,we want instant success.I know its stereotypical but its common these days thanks to Chelski.United have conquered the premiership 8 times since it started and now,along comes Chelski to ruffle our feathers.We wont back dont and we wont play second fiddle.To do that,we need to strengthen our team.The media perfers Star Players but real United fans prefers quality and proven players instead.
northstandhero
Betta Getta Vespa
- 25 April 2002
I'm not arsed, if Chelsea want to spend ridiculous amounts on 30yr old superstars, let them. I'd much rather sign young players with something to prove.
ThomasGOAL
Retired Footballer
- 15 March 2003
Fergusson want Frank Ribery now, because almost sign for Lyon
RuneEdge
Silent Assassin
- 1 October 2003
- Team
- Manchester United
But the point is, if that 30 year old helps them win things, then I'd rather have that player.northstandhero said:
We've been buying players for the future for years now. When is that "future" gonna come?
marukomu
Ecchi otoko
and wouldn't players like Graveson and Ballack help our youth along even better? We need to get some really good players this summer to send a message to our rivals that we are going to challenge. Otherwise, all the good and even upcoming ones will look to Chelsea to further their career (bank balance)
phrase
Tactician
- 12 December 2002
RuneEdge,knh4 and marukomu...we all have the same ideology here.I'm rather tired of buying potential stars.We should continue buying starlets like Ribery for instance but we should really pick out and examine closely those raw gems before deciding on a transfer.Ribery is good to go for me...Go on Sir Alex..show us some hope.
RuneEdge
Silent Assassin
- 1 October 2003
- Team
- Manchester United
Lets look at our squad's situation in the last few years. Ever since we saw the likes of Scholes and Beckham break through, we've been eagerly waiting for the next batch of players. We've had O'Shea who looked promising in left back especially when he had to cover in important games (I'm sure Figo remembers). But after being pushed and shoved around into so many different positions, he doesnt even know what his best role is. People say its left back but if you asked O'Shea or Sir Alex, they will tell you something different. Right now, this player isnt even second choice in any of the positions that he likes to play in. Utility players hardly ever have a future at the club especially if the player is talented cuz he will want first team football. But instead, we have the likes of Rio, Brown, Vidic, Heinze, Evra, Silvestre, Smith and Fletcher who all play in one of O'Shea's many positions.
Another player we've seen break through is Fletcher. At first, I couldnt really see anything special in Fletcher. But his talent slowly started to shine through. Sadly for him, it turned out to be just a phase. Now he's very mediocre and seems to make one too many mistakes. He's one of those players where if the whole team is playing very well, he'll always be the one that stands out for doing something wrong. Some might say I'm exaggerating but it seems to happen in nearly every game. He's another player that we thought was for the future but let us down before that future arrived.
Wes Brown was a little different. He's always reliable and always someone you can trust especially in big games. He could be out for many games due to being out of favour but he can come in when called apon anf get the job done. Its not really his fault for not being in our best eleven cuz he's only dropped because of the new signings that we make that all managers would set as a higher priority to that CB position. I mean, you dont buy a player and not play him, right?
We bought many other players like Bellion who looked promising (and I still think he could have done it for us at some point) but was obviously sold once an offer came along seeing how we didnt need him.
Miller was another player who just got loaned away cuz of his inability to break into the team. Sir Alex must still see some good signs in him that he decided to keep him.
Richardson is a good story for other United hopefuls could look at and get inspiration from. Him along with Brown are the only players so far that can be considered as squad players. There have been many other players not worth mentioning like Kleberson, Djemba, etc.
So now looking at all those players, only two of them have been of any use. But if you look at the more successful signings, they've been players who were a different class before they've even joined us. Players like Rio, van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo, Rooney, Smith, etc.
I think we've learnt our lesson. I dont care if you think its wiser to sign young talent instead of "wasting our money" on older players cuz our track record proves that only proven players make an instant impact. Gone are the days of homegrown players making it through. The main reason for this is that they need a great leader to inspire from. Players like Giggs have said that Cantona was one of the biggest (if not the biggest) influence on his development. One could argue that this is why all our players became what they are today.
Arsenal are now currently looking like they're doing what we did many years ago and this might be for the same reasons with a special player like Henry at their club.
Which is why, unless we go out there and find the best player money can buy for our club, we arent gonna improve.
Another player we've seen break through is Fletcher. At first, I couldnt really see anything special in Fletcher. But his talent slowly started to shine through. Sadly for him, it turned out to be just a phase. Now he's very mediocre and seems to make one too many mistakes. He's one of those players where if the whole team is playing very well, he'll always be the one that stands out for doing something wrong. Some might say I'm exaggerating but it seems to happen in nearly every game. He's another player that we thought was for the future but let us down before that future arrived.
Wes Brown was a little different. He's always reliable and always someone you can trust especially in big games. He could be out for many games due to being out of favour but he can come in when called apon anf get the job done. Its not really his fault for not being in our best eleven cuz he's only dropped because of the new signings that we make that all managers would set as a higher priority to that CB position. I mean, you dont buy a player and not play him, right?
We bought many other players like Bellion who looked promising (and I still think he could have done it for us at some point) but was obviously sold once an offer came along seeing how we didnt need him.
Miller was another player who just got loaned away cuz of his inability to break into the team. Sir Alex must still see some good signs in him that he decided to keep him.
Richardson is a good story for other United hopefuls could look at and get inspiration from. Him along with Brown are the only players so far that can be considered as squad players. There have been many other players not worth mentioning like Kleberson, Djemba, etc.
So now looking at all those players, only two of them have been of any use. But if you look at the more successful signings, they've been players who were a different class before they've even joined us. Players like Rio, van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo, Rooney, Smith, etc.
I think we've learnt our lesson. I dont care if you think its wiser to sign young talent instead of "wasting our money" on older players cuz our track record proves that only proven players make an instant impact. Gone are the days of homegrown players making it through. The main reason for this is that they need a great leader to inspire from. Players like Giggs have said that Cantona was one of the biggest (if not the biggest) influence on his development. One could argue that this is why all our players became what they are today.
Arsenal are now currently looking like they're doing what we did many years ago and this might be for the same reasons with a special player like Henry at their club.
Which is why, unless we go out there and find the best player money can buy for our club, we arent gonna improve.
MO_DINERO
瞬獄殺!
- 29 July 2004
- Team
- Liverpool Football Club
Would Gravesen and Riquelme do?
RuneEdge
Silent Assassin
- 1 October 2003
- Team
- Manchester United
To be honest, I dont even know. In my eyes, it has to be someone that all the young kids will look up to and say "Thats who I want to become". This is why Arsenal's kids are hungry. They see Henry and wish they could grow up to emulate him. This is the hunger we see in players like Rooney. I remember a day after Rooney signed for us, he did an exclusive interview with MUTV where he was saying how learning from players like Ruud was one of main reasons why he joined us. He sounded like a little kid who was excited to see his hero or something, saying how he found it amazing how great Ruud was at scoring goals.
This is why I was hoping for someone proven like Ballack cuz if he was a success here, some of the young midfielders would look up to him cuz he is one of Germany's greats.
So maybe I wouldnt be satisfied with Riquelme or Gravesen.
This is why I was hoping for someone proven like Ballack cuz if he was a success here, some of the young midfielders would look up to him cuz he is one of Germany's greats.
So maybe I wouldnt be satisfied with Riquelme or Gravesen.
MO_DINERO
瞬獄殺!
- 29 July 2004
- Team
- Liverpool Football Club
If your looking for a "role-model" type player Gattuso and Juninho would fit the bill temporarily
phrase
Tactician
- 12 December 2002
A star player would do us good now...remember the two big signings that we are being promised? Its seems to be a fading promise now.
RuneEdge
Silent Assassin
- 1 October 2003
- Team
- Manchester United
Gattuso would be better than Gravesen and Riquelme but I'm affraid be probably wont live up to the hype.MO_DINERO said:
bebo
Looking for a Manager
Gattuso is a strong player, I love watching him(he`s always running)
Plus Gattuso is pretty vocal, could be the kind of demanding force that Ronaldo et al would need to ensure they keep performing. Excited by Ribery reports, thought he would have been great in Jan, and he's certainly not gotten any worse! Figure Arsenal would want him though, given that he's well, French 
- Thread starter
- #12,408
Vannizzlefashizzal
TWENTYTIMES!!!!
- 31 October 2002
Good article in the M.E.N about United supporters and the various problems we have with England.
WAYNE ROONEY: Reds striker in action before his injury
NOT every football fan in England is hanging on every word about Wayne Rooney's metatarsal.
In fact, it's fair to say that a sizeable chunk of the Red half of Manchester is praying that the Scouse sensation does NOT recover in time for the World Cup.
Sir Alex Ferguson insists that his staff are doing everything they can to give Rooney a fighting chance of making it but the United boss is adamant that he will not risk his star player's future by allowing him to be rushed back too soon.
For many United fans, the matter is simple. Rooney has to be fit for the start of the Premiership season - otherwise the Reds risk another campaign of vainly chasing Chelsea.
But the indifference of many United fans to England, an indifference which sometimes breaks out into outright hostility, goes way beyond the tug of war over Rooney.
The hardcore of United's support does not "do" England, for reasons which have all kinds of historical, cultural, geographical and footballing roots.
Authority
Mancunians have always been a feisty lot, never afraid to question authority or stand up to injustice - hence the Peterloo massacre, or the mill workers' refusal to handle Confederate cotton during the American Civil War, in solidarity with the slaves.
It is a city proud of its own identity and tradition, and suspicious of the motives of the capital city, whether that be the Government or the Football Association.
And the fact that Manchester has always been an immigrant city, with waves of Flemish, Irish, Jewish, Levantine, German and Italian people settling here since the 14th century, has perhaps caused many of us to have a suspicious view of patriotism.
The old Stretford End banner reading "Republic of Mancunia" perhaps sums it up - Manchester has tended to see itself as a city apart in many ways, in football as in culture and politics.
United's support drew heavily from the city's Irish immigrant population in its early years, and many of its modern Mancunian support are second and third generation Irish, hardly conducive to supporting England.
The 1966 World Cup was celebrated by the nation, but the mood had started to change in Manchester by the Seventies, when England was starting to be perceived as just another southern team - and not a particularly good one. United fans watched United, and most match-going England fans were from London and the south, with virtually all home games being played at Wembley.
Injuries
An England under-23 match at Old Trafford in 1976 had the Stretford End cheering when one of the five United players in the team touched the ball, and booing when any other England player did. They ended with a plaintive chant of "We'd rather watch United..."
If that jaundiced view of England was setting in during the Seventies, it was reinforced in the Eighties, when it seemed that no United player could go away on international duty with England without sustaining serious, and sometimes career-ending, injuries.
Gary Bailey, Steve Coppell and Neil Webb all had their careers cut short through injuries they received playing for their country, while Bryan Robson also suffered.
By the Nineties, United were the biggest thing in English football so any doubts that United supporters might need a second-rate second team had been blown away.
Add to that the increasingly strained relationship between United and the FA, and the divorce between United's core support and England was just about complete.
England are the FA's team, rather than the nation's, and the FA is heavily influenced by anti-United forces, not least Arsenal and David Dein, who is a vice-chairman of both. So the reasoning goes.
Sir Alex Ferguson has helped to fuel that particular fire by accusing the FA of singling United out for harsh treatment.
For many angry Reds, England and the FA are indistinguishable, all part of the Establishment.
Of course, the situation is not black and white. There are United fans who will be in Germany supporting England, and there are those who will be desperate for them to get knocked out as soon as possible, and in between there is a mass of supporters who will want England to do well or who could not care less.
Most of those in that middling group would not want England to do well if it meant risking Rooney for United next season.
WAYNE ROONEY: Reds striker in action before his injury
NOT every football fan in England is hanging on every word about Wayne Rooney's metatarsal.
In fact, it's fair to say that a sizeable chunk of the Red half of Manchester is praying that the Scouse sensation does NOT recover in time for the World Cup.
Sir Alex Ferguson insists that his staff are doing everything they can to give Rooney a fighting chance of making it but the United boss is adamant that he will not risk his star player's future by allowing him to be rushed back too soon.
For many United fans, the matter is simple. Rooney has to be fit for the start of the Premiership season - otherwise the Reds risk another campaign of vainly chasing Chelsea.
But the indifference of many United fans to England, an indifference which sometimes breaks out into outright hostility, goes way beyond the tug of war over Rooney.
The hardcore of United's support does not "do" England, for reasons which have all kinds of historical, cultural, geographical and footballing roots.
Authority
Mancunians have always been a feisty lot, never afraid to question authority or stand up to injustice - hence the Peterloo massacre, or the mill workers' refusal to handle Confederate cotton during the American Civil War, in solidarity with the slaves.
It is a city proud of its own identity and tradition, and suspicious of the motives of the capital city, whether that be the Government or the Football Association.
And the fact that Manchester has always been an immigrant city, with waves of Flemish, Irish, Jewish, Levantine, German and Italian people settling here since the 14th century, has perhaps caused many of us to have a suspicious view of patriotism.
The old Stretford End banner reading "Republic of Mancunia" perhaps sums it up - Manchester has tended to see itself as a city apart in many ways, in football as in culture and politics.
United's support drew heavily from the city's Irish immigrant population in its early years, and many of its modern Mancunian support are second and third generation Irish, hardly conducive to supporting England.
The 1966 World Cup was celebrated by the nation, but the mood had started to change in Manchester by the Seventies, when England was starting to be perceived as just another southern team - and not a particularly good one. United fans watched United, and most match-going England fans were from London and the south, with virtually all home games being played at Wembley.
Injuries
An England under-23 match at Old Trafford in 1976 had the Stretford End cheering when one of the five United players in the team touched the ball, and booing when any other England player did. They ended with a plaintive chant of "We'd rather watch United..."
If that jaundiced view of England was setting in during the Seventies, it was reinforced in the Eighties, when it seemed that no United player could go away on international duty with England without sustaining serious, and sometimes career-ending, injuries.
Gary Bailey, Steve Coppell and Neil Webb all had their careers cut short through injuries they received playing for their country, while Bryan Robson also suffered.
By the Nineties, United were the biggest thing in English football so any doubts that United supporters might need a second-rate second team had been blown away.
Add to that the increasingly strained relationship between United and the FA, and the divorce between United's core support and England was just about complete.
England are the FA's team, rather than the nation's, and the FA is heavily influenced by anti-United forces, not least Arsenal and David Dein, who is a vice-chairman of both. So the reasoning goes.
Sir Alex Ferguson has helped to fuel that particular fire by accusing the FA of singling United out for harsh treatment.
For many angry Reds, England and the FA are indistinguishable, all part of the Establishment.
Of course, the situation is not black and white. There are United fans who will be in Germany supporting England, and there are those who will be desperate for them to get knocked out as soon as possible, and in between there is a mass of supporters who will want England to do well or who could not care less.
Most of those in that middling group would not want England to do well if it meant risking Rooney for United next season.
matherto
20 times 20 times Man United
beachryan said:After watching tonight's england game...I miss Becks
definately, we'd actually have a glimpse of the title if we still had Becks, his deliveries tonight were brilliant, shows he's still got it, if only Fergie wasn't such a twat, then maybe we'd still be champions, Ronaldo is absolute shite compared to Becks
marukomu
Ecchi otoko
We wouldn't be champions even with Beckham. Our style of football lets in too many goals, same as Arsenal. Chelsea, and Liverpool's, stifling game will win the prem for the forseeable future, that is, unless we or Arse become as fantastic as Barcelona.
phrase
Tactician
- 12 December 2002
Its not wise to compare Becks with Ronaldo.Totally two different styles of playing.Ronaldo cannot provide what Becks gave us and vice versa.For the record,Becks will still deliver to any team he plays for.
We're being linked to Vieira today. I never want to see that man in our red, it just won't be right. He served Arsenal well for years, and should never ever ever join his rival club. I would actually prefer Fletcher and OShea, and not to win anything. Plus he's old and fading. I love tabloids.
- Thread starter
- #12,414
Vannizzlefashizzal
TWENTYTIMES!!!!
- 31 October 2002
beachryan said:After watching tonight's england game...I miss Becks
He should come home now and captain the team....
Sort it out SAF
dark_shadow89
Non-League
- 9 October 2005
Here's an idea...
IN:
Mascherano 12m
Ribery 7m
Riquelme 18m
Torres 20m
OUT:
RVN 14m
Silvestre 6m
Fletcher 5m
Richardson 5m
Liam Miller 1m
That's a difference of around 30m which we have to pay, which is the transfer kitty anyways. On to proper news however, I heard at the Man United message boards that:
Man Utd are to have a press conference on Monday 5 June 2006 to reveal the sigings for the season which happens to be Riquelme,Ribery and Cambiasso. They are also likely to reveal that Ruud has agreed to go to A.C.Milan for an undisclosed amount of money. They are also in negotiations with Mascherano and Torres.
If ANY of this is true, I'll take it as good news, as the 3 aforementioned would be enough for us to make a serious attack for the title, let alone with either Torres, or Mascherano, or hopefully both!
IN:
Mascherano 12m
Ribery 7m
Riquelme 18m
Torres 20m
OUT:
RVN 14m
Silvestre 6m
Fletcher 5m
Richardson 5m
Liam Miller 1m
That's a difference of around 30m which we have to pay, which is the transfer kitty anyways. On to proper news however, I heard at the Man United message boards that:
Man Utd are to have a press conference on Monday 5 June 2006 to reveal the sigings for the season which happens to be Riquelme,Ribery and Cambiasso. They are also likely to reveal that Ruud has agreed to go to A.C.Milan for an undisclosed amount of money. They are also in negotiations with Mascherano and Torres.
If ANY of this is true, I'll take it as good news, as the 3 aforementioned would be enough for us to make a serious attack for the title, let alone with either Torres, or Mascherano, or hopefully both!
Last edited:
marukomu
Ecchi otoko
If Ruud does go to Italy, I'd like to watch Milam vs Juve next season. Ruud vs Vieira. Or maybe Vieira will slink off to another country like he did last time. pussy
RuneEdge
Silent Assassin
- 1 October 2003
- Team
- Manchester United
3 midfielders, a winger and a striker? Thats too good to be true.dark_shadow89 said:
IceMan_Bergkamp
Total Football
I can't see Mascherano going to United. He just signed for Corinthians last season.
Riquelme, i hope does. He is an exciting player to watch, and i would love to see him in the Premiership. I only hope he doesn't turn into a donkey like Veron.
Ribery i can see. Ribery has stated he is upset due to Fernandez leaving Marseille, so that could be a possibility. What happens to Giggs then? Does he move to inside right?
Torres... is hit and miss. I would like to see him at Arsenal, due to connections with Reyes and Fabregas, but who knows. He'd be a good signing for any team. I just hope he don't go to the Nouveau Riche down Kings Road.
EDIT: *hit and miss = could move/won't move... not the player's form as general :mrgreen:
Riquelme, i hope does. He is an exciting player to watch, and i would love to see him in the Premiership. I only hope he doesn't turn into a donkey like Veron.
Ribery i can see. Ribery has stated he is upset due to Fernandez leaving Marseille, so that could be a possibility. What happens to Giggs then? Does he move to inside right?
Torres... is hit and miss. I would like to see him at Arsenal, due to connections with Reyes and Fabregas, but who knows. He'd be a good signing for any team. I just hope he don't go to the Nouveau Riche down Kings Road.
EDIT: *hit and miss = could move/won't move... not the player's form as general :mrgreen:
matherto
20 times 20 times Man United
RuneEdge said:
Torres isn't gonna give us 20+ goals a season though, unlike Ruud, who is still mystified as to what has happened to him
D
Dead Man
Guest
matherto said:
Nobody knows that!
He still get 15 goals even in a crap team.