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Manchester United Thread

Like it was written...Henke Larsson has to start for the coming games till we have a full fit Saha back...Rooney looks a bit jaded,some of his touches are a bit off.
 
What a signing by Rudoplh! Laarson was enigmatic! He has the option for the rest of the season i hear, and the Man U board would be silly to let him go.

Form is temporary, Class is Permanent.

Forward line looks tasty now - for me, the first time since the treble winning season with the Soul Brothers, Sheri and Ole.
 
Larsson looked awesome yesterday. His link-up play was intelligent and he showed how good a player he still is.

Good draw in the FA Cup for United - Portsmouth at home. I think most supporters would have taken that. Lets avoid Arsenal & Chelsea for as many rounds as possible.
 
Pompey at home will be no easy task..they are better than Villa thats for sure and we need to be extra ruthless.Larsson will definitely stay on till the end of this season,no doubts about it...he will be a catalyst for us.
 
His face always goes bright red in the winter thats all


Hmmm, I wouldn't be too sure about that, take a good long look here at this pic snapped on one of my best mates camera phones who happened to be sitting at the table beside him at a local restaurant. SAF was about to sit down for dinner with some head people in the front office of Man U.

r59577_163686.jpg


Clearly you can tell this is not the face of a manager who is comfortable at the top of the Premiership and in contention for 3 other trophies. Maybe the clash of heads he had with Laarson and Rooney about who's the better striker the day before on the training ground was replaying in his head. Maybe the meeting he was about to have about how United have no money left in the coffers after Glazer went on last years spending spree bonanza was making him a nervous wreck. In any event, this man is clearly high stressed right now. Pretty soon you will begin to see the ripe banana that is Manchester United begin to unpeel itself and cause players and staff alike to wildly slip down a slippery slide you can't stop slipping down on.
 
that's also the first time I've seen us win a game in injury time for a while, it's not the perfect way to win a game, but we used to be renowned for it.

and Ole scored the winner

Maybe I'm dreaming, but I can feel 99 all over again
 
Easy, fella. Dont get too excited. :lol:
Personally I think this side is much better than the one in 99. The difference now is that the competition is MUCH tougher.

I'm kinda starting to worry about the defence a little. I'm constantly getting the feeling that the opposition will nick one when we least expect it. And in most cases, its true. We still win cuz our attack is so strong but if things dont go our way up front, theres a strong chance we'll drop all three points cuz we always look likely to conceed.
 
The back four hasnt been a familiar one though for a while, its important to get a back four that know each other and play as many games as possible together. The defence of Neville, Rio, Vidic and Evra is a strong one and just needs more games to get solid again over the Xmas/ New Year period this had to be distrupted and we saw Silvestre come in who wasnt with it really. Id rather play Brown over Silvestre anyday
 
The back four hasnt been a familiar one though for a while, its important to get a back four that know each other and play as many games as possible together. The defence of Neville, Rio, Vidic and Evra is a strong one and just needs more games to get solid again over the Xmas/ New Year period this had to be distrupted and we saw Silvestre come in who wasnt with it really. Id rather play Brown over Silvestre anyday
Yet Brown is the one thats being linked with a move away, not Silvestre. Nice one, Fergie. :roll:
 
It's a year since the United legend known as George Best has died so I thought I'd post a Q+A he did with FourFourTwo magazine a while ago. Enjoy!

Back when you were a shag-magnet, did you ever feel empty or was it as awesomely good fun as I suspect?
Jim McCulloch, Glasgow


[Laughs] Oh no, trust me, it was always good fun. That was one thing I never had problems with at all. How could I feel empty? I will always be grateful to have experienced the '60s and '70s. It was such an exciting time. The living was free and easy, and there were none of the diseases there are today. Life was about girls, a few beers, football, good music, and being a shag-magnet! It was part of life and I loved every minute of it. I was never disappointed with sex. It's like football, if you're having a good game, you want to continue, and if you have a bad one you just look forward to the next game!

Is there anyone who you think was a better footballer than you?
Richard Brown, via e-mail


In a recent survey of Manchester United fans I came runner-up to Eric Cantona as the club's greatest ever player, but I think that was just the kids talking. If you had asked an older generation then I probably would have won. I have always been mentioned in the same breath as Cruyff, Pele and Maradona, and that's without ever having played in the World Cup. It is a big compliment that these players themselves recognise me too. I remember seeing some footage of Maradona completely freaking out when they asked him how good I was, and then, of course, Pele said he thought I was the greatest ever player. I have always thought I was the best ever player, that's the way you have to look at it. I have never looked at another player and felt inferior.

Why do you prefer blondes?
Tom Gadsby, Manchester


[Laughs] I really don't, but my blonde girlfriends have always got more attention in the media. The fact that I named one of my clubs 'Blondes' probably added to the perception. I have actually had a few relationships with some dark-haired girls.

Did you ever feel guilty that United's decline in the '70s started after you left?
Nick Malaperiman, Vancouver, Canada


No, I didn't feel guilty. They went into decline for the simple reason that they didn't have good enough players, and you can't blame me for that! I didn't buy the players! They replaced great players with ordinary ones, while passing up the chance to buy some excellent players like Alan Ball and Mike England. I also don't think they had a good manager in Tommy Docherty. I did all I could but I didn't have the players around me.

Who is the better player? Ryan Giggs or David Beckham. No fence-sitting!
Michael Rushcutter, via e-mail


Ryan Giggs because he is more exciting on the ball. Giggs gets me on the edge of my seat when he runs at defenders. David is a great player, you'd have to be a mad man to think otherwise, but I think he could do even better. He could score more goals for instance, and use his left foot more, but I suppose he doesn't really need it.

Did Sir Matt Busby let you get away with too much?
Ben Foot, Grimsby


Not at all. He was just like Fergie; if you stepped out of line he would have a go at you, but he always did it behind closed doors. You have to remember that I was fined and dropped by him. The problem was he couldn't live in my pocket. You just can't do that with 20 other players to look after.

Which of the current United strikers would you most have liked to play with? Cole, Solskjaer, Yorke or van Nistelrooy?
Derek Carr, Ireland


Well, it wouldn't be Andy Cole. He's a great player, but he seems a bit moody, like he's not enjoying himself and it's just a job to him. I like the way Dwight Yorke plays with a smile on his face. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spends most of his time on the bench, but looks wonderful when he comes on. However, if I had to pick one it would be van Nistelrooy, I think we would have linked up well. He is going to be a great striker at United and I look forward to watching him blossom. He'll score loads of goals. I certainly hope he does anyway, he's in my dream team!

Who is the greatest manager? Sir Matt or Sir Alex?
Abigail Cane, via e-mail


Well, I'm biased, as I played under Sir Matt for all those years. Sir Matt was not only a great manager, but a truly great man. Fergie has his knockers, but I judge people as I find them and he has always treated me with a great deal of respect.

How would you have reacted if you had scored against United to send them down, like Denis Law?
Cathy Whyte, Hampton


Probably in the same way, I would have been absolutely sick about it, but I wouldn't have been in that position as I could never have played for City! I know it was different for Denis as he had played at Maine Road before and he wanted to stay in Manchester where his family was settled. But Denis is a United fan at heart, he supports the club now and his daughter, Diana, works there too. He tries to laugh it off, but he's still gutted about that goal.

If you could do it all over again, what would you change?
Barry King, via e-mail


Not a thing. I have had a great life. Yes, I didn't want to go to prison, I didn't want to get banned from driving and I didn't want to get involved in the fights. But it's all a learning process that you have to go through.

Are you afraid of dying?
Monica South, Salford


I'm not afraid of it, but I don't want to! I don't have any fear of dying, I never have done. I'm even planning a parachute jump soon. My wife Alex has done one already, so I'm going to join her next time.

Why sometimes a beard but never a moustache?
Harry Burn, via e-mail


I did have a moustache for a short while, but it looked awful. I have always been dubious about them. You either go the whole way or not at all. My one attempt at a moustache back in the '60s was terrible. I had it when I was opening a bakery and they made me wear a daft hat, so with that and the moustache I look dreadful. I saw the picture the next day and immediately shaved it off!

What is the worst rollicking Sir Matt gave you?
Andy Brown, Urmston


It would have to be the time he told me to settle down with a nice girl, but when I did he went absolutely mad! I got engaged to this girl after only knowing her for a few weeks, and I thought he would be pleased that I had followed his advice, but he went nuts! He said, "How can you get engaged? You've only known her a couple of weeks!" I thought, "Well, you told me to!"

Would your life have been different if you had been called George Taylor?
Sarah Shugborough, Bagshott


It would only have been different if I couldn't have played football like I could. The name helped me as I was a footballer, but outside the game it wouldn't have meant a thing.

Did footballers do drugs in the '60s and '70s? Did you?
Frank Boston, Blackpool


Never. I didn't see it going on at all. I actually spent one of my birthdays in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco and they were all on the wacky baccy. It wasn't for me.

What is your biggest regret?
James Robertson, via e-mail


I missed a penalty against Chelsea at Old Trafford. It's the only penalty I remember missing, so I wish I could take it again!

When did you first realise you might have a drink problem?
Les Pasadena, Reading


Only last year. I knew I had a problem, but there is a difference between knowing and admitting, and I would never admit it. I finally realised last year when I had to go into hospital after they literally had to pick me off the floor. Now, every three months I have an implant of drugs in my stomach that stops me drinking, so even if I wanted to I couldn't. It actually gets easier as time goes by.

Who was the best defender you played against?
Rob Ellison, Ifracombe


There were two, Paul Reaney from Leeds and Sanchis from Real Madrid. They were both quick and liked to get stuck in.

Who is the most similar player to you playing now?
Paul Hunniford, Congleton


Giggsy is probably the closest because as soon as he gets the ball he goes at players. Giggs has been getting better and better in recent years and is undoubtedly at the peak of his career. Thierry Henry does the same, but he does it in the middle and not on the wing. Maradona used to do it; collect the ball, look up and go for goal.

Did you ever come to blows with a team-mate?
Edith Barratt, via email


No, I didn't and I was probably one of the few who didn't. We had a few fiery temperaments at United with Paddy Crerand and Nobby Stiles. You might get a smack on the training field, but you would be friends afterwards. Shake hands and get on with it, the man's way of dealing with things.

What was your favourite ever game?
Steve Cooper, Swansea


There have been so many. The most important was winning the European Cup in 1968, but my best personal performance was for Northern Ireland against Scotland in the '60s. We were expected to get slaughtered as the Scots had some great players, but we won 1-0. Everything I tried came off, and I would have had about four goals, but the keeper had a great game. They still talk about that game now. For United, it would have to be our win against Benfica in 1966. I scored twice in 12 minutes and enjoyed a great night.

In the 1970s you had your dream home built in Bramhall. Was it a work of architectural genius or, as some locals have said, a giant gents toilet?
Kevin Whitchurch, Devon


It was a stroke of genius, but it was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was the first time those white tiles had been used, which are used a fair bit now, so I suppose it looked a bit like a toilet. But to me, it was a beautiful house. It's still there, it's changed hands a few times though.

Why did you and Bobby Charlton not get on?
Jason Boon, Stretford


This is a bit of a myth. We get on really well now, it was just because we were very different when we were younger. We just didn't mix at all. I was a single guy and he was a married man with a family. There was no real incident between us. I felt he could be a bit aloof, but then everybody did. We were never at each other's throats, we simply didn't go and have a pint together.

Would you ever kiss and make up with Tommy Docherty?
Lee Hagan, Sale


Never in a million years. He is a very dishonest man. I would love to give him a lie detector test on the reasons why I left United. He still says that I turned up with a girl before a game. He still believes it. But I really don't like dishonesty. He should put up his hand and say he was wrong, but he never will.

What is the story behind Billy Bingham asking you to play in the 1982 World Cup finals?
William Hoey, Belfast


I was really fit at the time, playing weekly for an American team while also playing racquetball for up to three hours a day. The problem was my American team were really awful, and Billy Bingham came to watch me in a tour game at Hibs and we got slaughtered. He was under a bit of pressure to pick me and I suppose he could justify leaving me out as what he had seen wasn't very impressive. I wouldn't have expected to play every game, but I wished he had just taken me as a member of the squad and thrown me on for fifteen minutes, only so I could have played in the World Cup.

Do you think there could ever be an all-Ireland team?
Pam Ferris, Belfast


I think there should be. They are both small countries and the only chance they have of doing something is if they combine forces. The fact that both of them have qualified for the World Cup in recent years has probably held them back as it has put both countries off creating an all-Ireland team. They do it in rugby and other sports, so why not football? Also, if it helps in some small way to resolve other problems then it should be encouraged. It would help bring about a sense of togetherness.

Do you regret playing so few games for Northern Ireland?
Brian Turner, Cork


That was down to Manchester United more than anything. Northern Ireland's games used to clash with United and I was withdrawn a lot of the time. If you think about it I made my debut with Pat Jennings, who went on to win over 100 caps and I was stuck in the late thirties. So yes I do regret not playing more for them.

Do you wish you had been born an Englishman?
Lee Claridge, Romford
[Laughs]

No, of course not! I would have loved to have played in the World Cup, but only for Northern Ireland or even a Great Britain side.

The Neville brothers are rubbish. Please discuss...
Steve Shandon, Castlefield


I wouldn't say they're rubbish, but they're certainly not my favourite players. They get caught out too easily. They must have something about them as Fergie and the England manager keep on picking them. But they are far from world-class, that is clear. There is a lot of room for improvement.

If you could make one apology to who would it be and about what?
Frances Sheen, Manly


The Northampton goalie, Kim Book, who I put six goals past in that FA Cup tie back in the '60s. I met up with him recently and he said he still gets ribbed about it now. So, Kim, I'm sorry!



:applause:
 
Easy, fella. Dont get too excited. :lol:
Personally I think this side is much better than the one in 99. The difference now is that the competition is MUCH tougher.

I'm kinda starting to worry about the defence a little. I'm constantly getting the feeling that the opposition will nick one when we least expect it. And in most cases, its true. We still win cuz our attack is so strong but if things dont go our way up front, theres a strong chance we'll drop all three points cuz we always look likely to conceed.

:lol: like I said, I'm just dreaming, still it would be nice.

I wonder how many Lille will score against us, it's gotta be a few because we have to make it as hard as possible for ourselves, regardless

I can already hear Clive Tyldsley

"can they score? they always score"...

"and Solskjaer has won it!"

\\:o/ :lol:
 
yeah he was off with those two assists, what the hell are you talking about...

F****** touchy arent we on the Rooney subject. Maybe next time you should watch the whole match instead of 2 minute highlights and you'll see as in recent games Rooney has overall been well under par.
 
Yeap,Rooney has been underpar.Lacking in confidence I assume and I think Sir Alex sensed that and thats why Rooney got the nod over Solskjaer to start against Villa.Still look sluggish and rusty at times but he did assist on both goals.
 
If you could make one apology to who would it be and about what?
Frances Sheen, Manly


The Northampton goalie, Kim Book, who I put six goals past in that FA Cup tie back in the '60s. I met up with him recently and he said he still gets ribbed about it now. So, Kim, I'm sorry!

He doesn't deserve an apology. Just watch his goalkeeping `skills`, especially on the last goal:lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz2IkOLtS7k
 
F****** touchy arent we on the Rooney subject. Maybe next time you should watch the whole match instead of 2 minute highlights and you'll see as in recent games Rooney has overall been well under par.

what the fuck man, so what if he was fucking off the rest of the match, UNITED FUCKING WON BECAUSE OF HIS VISION AND PASSING!!! He might not be scoring goals but he sure is setting up alot of them.... If ruud scored two goals and didnt do shit the rest of the game, people call him a "fox in a box" or a "lethal close in striker" but if rooney doesnt do shit all game but setup both goals with BRILLIANT passes, he is "overall been well under par" what a bunch of BULLSHIT. Rooney scoring touch is off, but he is helping out in other ways.. I watched the whole game my man, not just the highlights
 
I was AT the game in the East Stand and Rooney was brilliant. You guys should try actually going to a match, you'd enjoy it.
 
I was also at the game, the Rooney I saw was very poor. It wasn't Wayne though, it was a second cousin of his, Johnny, Johnny Rooney.
 
what the fuck man, so what if he was fucking off the rest of the match, UNITED FUCKING WON BECAUSE OF HIS VISION AND PASSING!!! He might not be scoring goals but he sure is setting up alot of them.... If ruud scored two goals and didnt do shit the rest of the game, people call him a "fox in a box" or a "lethal close in striker" but if rooney doesnt do shit all game but setup both goals with BRILLIANT passes, he is "overall been well under par" what a bunch of BULLSHIT. Rooney scoring touch is off, but he is helping out in other ways.. I watched the whole game my man, not just the highlights

Well feckin said!!

People think we bought Rooney for a Ruud like goal return - WRONG!!

The kid has been playing very well, okay he hasnt scored in many games but he has plenty of shots (and on target) and his overall play is actually top notch, like you said he had two assists which is very good by anyones standards.

I agree that he seems to playing in second gear but its still better than nearly everyone else in the league (in his position) maybe he is conscious of burnout and he'll kick into 1st gear 2nd half of the season..

Also csaunders, doesnt look like Adu made the grade at Carrington, apart from being VERY cocky and already having abit of a name in football (not sure why) apparently he didnt stand out from any of the other kids trying out for United....
 
Well feckin said!!

People think we bought Rooney for a Ruud like goal return - WRONG!!

The kid has been playing very well, okay he hasnt scored in many games but he has plenty of shots (and on target) and his overall play is actually top notch, like you said he had two assists which is very good by anyones standards.

I agree that he seems to playing in second gear but its still better than nearly everyone else in the league (in his position) maybe he is conscious of burnout and he'll kick into 1st gear 2nd half of the season..

Also csaunders, doesnt look like Adu made the grade at Carrington, apart from being VERY cocky and already having abit of a name in football (not sure why) apparently he didnt stand out from any of the other kids trying out for United....

intresting about Adu. As for why, well when your playing professional football at 14... Your gonna get some kind of recognition... Hmm I still think he will be a good player one day, maybe not of a United class. But could be a good player for the US. And yes he is very cocky.
 
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