Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[slyer]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Can one of our kind Brudder post a video link of the Trophy Celebrations...... knn, it was not shown live because of Spurs match.

Cheerz
AC

bro here

Free File Hosting Made Simple - MediaFire

someone uploaded all the celebrations vids in another forum

[asiancigar]

Originally Posted by slyer

bro here

Free File Hosting Made Simple - MediaFire

someone uploaded all the celebrations vids in another forum

Kum Sia Bro Slyer

Cheerz
AC

[LentorGarden]

Let the transfer talks and rumors begin once again. Haha. From my point of view, Tevez leaving United is definite. I feel for that poor chap. He is indeed good on the ball and very hardworking, talented young lad from Argentina. Its a pity that United will lose him. C.Ronaldo might leave united as well, judging from his answers given during interviews. Hopefully we wont lose C.Ronaldo because he is instrumental in the midfield as well as attack.

Post season summary by me :

Achievers - Ronaldo as usual, Tevez, VDS, Vidic, Park Ji Sung, Rafael, Fletcher
Flops - Berbatov (Number 1 suspect for me because he does not justify hes expensive price tag) and Anderson
Unlucky ones - Owen Hargreaves, Nani, G.Neville, Wes Brown
Lucky one - F.Macheda

Cheers!

[mangoesteam]

Originally Posted by LentorGarden

Flops - Berbatov (Number 1 suspect for me because he does not justify hes expensive price tag) and Anderson

I will have to disagree with you on this.

I don't know if you had been watching the same games. Anderson was the drive in midfield in the 2nd leg quarters and the semifinals of the champions league. In my view Anderson has come on his own towards the later part of the season.

As for Berbatov, I think his link up play and holding up the ball has been missed on lots of fans. No doubt he may not have delivered in terms of goals but don't forget that he missed the entire pre-season with United and that's a massive lose.

Lets not pass judgment too early. Many felt Vidic was a misfit too after the first season. Just see where he his now.

I suggest we do not be like other fans and teams who look for instant hits and off load players within a season. That's not the United way!

cheers!

[slyer]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Kum Sia Bro Slyer

Cheerz
AC

welcomed

next tue is champ league final. can't wait to see the champion lift the champ league trophy

[LentorGarden]

Originally Posted by mangoesteam

I will have to disagree with you on this.

I don't know if you had been watching the same games. Anderson was the drive in midfield in the 2nd leg quarters and the semifinals of the champions league. In my view Anderson has come on his own towards the later part of the season.

As for Berbatov, I think his link up play and holding up the ball has been missed on lots of fans. No doubt he may not have delivered in terms of goals but don't forget that he missed the entire pre-season with United and that's a massive lose.

Lets not pass judgment too early. Many felt Vidic was a misfit too after the first season. Just see where he his now.

I suggest we do not be like other fans and teams who look for instant hits and off load players within a season. That's not the United way!

cheers!

IMO what I see in Anderson is exactly like what I see in Scholes.. An old horse. But honestly, Anderson has played quite few games as compared to the likes of carrick and fletcher so I might been wrong about commenting on him for his little games played.

As for Berba, I can feel that even SAF is getting fed up with him. Who the heck would pay 30 over million pounds for a striker and then put him for a straight 20 or 30 games of 1st 11 action and then subsequently leave him on the bench or start to sub him during match play. Its only a matter of time that SAF decides enough is enough and start to play berba regularly so that other clubs will be able to take notice of him and subsequently, sell him just like what he did with Saha.

Again, these are just what I feel bro. No harm intended because like most of the guys here, I'm a united supporter as well.

[mangoesteam]

Originally Posted by LentorGarden

No harm intended because like most of the guys here, I'm a united supporter as well.

No problem at all in having a friendly discussion bro.

In any event, no one can beat the astuteness of Sir Alex. Maybe we should just leave it in his safe hands.

cheers

[WAKE-UP-U-FOOL]

Reds fans living off past glories
By Neil Humphreys, Lighter side





LIVERPOOL had to go and upset the apple cart. They had to disturb the natural order of things. Beating Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford has got Reds fans in a tizzy.

They're starting to yearn. They're starting to hope. They're starting to sing songs like 'We're by far the greatest team the world has ever seen' and, frankly, that is just embarrassing.

Speaking objectively, I love Liverpool fans. As a neutral spectator, their rousing rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone makes the hair stand. (That's why I have a theory that Bobby Charlton might still have a full head of hair had he played for Liverpool.)


But Liverpool do not swing when they are winning. That is Manchester United's thing; winning. Martyrdom is the Reds' thing.

Melancholic renditions of any song by Gerry and the Pacemakers, followed by a swift trip down memory lane to revisit any football match before 1990: that is the Liverpool way.

As the trophies accumulated on the other side of Lancashire, it was immensely entertaining watching Liverpool fans cling desperately to their record of 18 League titles.

When there were Cantona-inspired doubles, Liverpool cried '18'! When there were historic trebles, Liverpool cried '18'! Even when there were unexpected Chelsea-destroying titles, Liverpool still cried '18'!

It is rather like the world's longest sneezing fit.

Reds suffered from a benign Tourette's Syndrome, where the symptoms involved screaming '18' for a period of up to 19 years and the trigger was any mention of 'Manchester United'.

They lived off past glories.

Liverpool supporters resembled an old-time comedian who shook his head in disgust at all this fast, modern comedy like Little Britain and The Office and said: 'I used to be just as funny, you know. The 80s were my prime, when I ruled with my knock knock jokes.

'Let me tell you the one about an Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman.'

The Reds did the same; telling us the one about Ray Clemence, Mark Lawrenson and Kenny Dalglish.

Listening to the Anfield die-hards move the goalposts with every successive failure was always a highlight of the season. Over the years, they said things like:

'We've got to retain the title this year';

'We must try to win back the title';

'This year we should get closer to United';

'We should at least qualify for the Champions League';

'We'll be happy if we finish above Everton'.

United did the silverware; Liverpool did the nostalgic Gerry and the Pacemakers songs. Everyone knew where the club stood.

But those extraordinary victories against Real Madrid and United are threatening to ruin everything.

The Reds are not only talking up their title credentials again, but also ridiculing Alex Ferguson and his boys.

'Bad loser Alex Ferguson goes missing' was one headline in the Liverpool Echo; swiftly followed by another which read 'Ferguson is cracking up'.

Because Rafa Benitez was cracking up a few weeks ago, get it?

Facebook pages lampoon United's 1-4 collapse and Fernando Torres' imperious domination of Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford.

Liverpool fans do not only believe once more; they are mocking, which is most disconcerting.

United are still four points clear with a game in hand, but Liverpool are daring to dream again.

Their fans are beginning to sound like that anti-Vietnam War pop song from the 1980s, stuttering 'n-n-n-n-n-n-nineteen' at each other.

Such a dramatic rise in self-confidence is not without merit.
No matter what happens now, Liverpool supporters can be absolutely certain that they will finish above Everton.

Reds fans living off past glories

[imom]

Originally Posted by WAKE-UP-U-FOOL

....When there were Cantona-inspired doubles, Liverpool cried '18'! When there were historic trebles, Liverpool cried '18'! Even when there were unexpected Chelsea-destroying titles, Liverpool still cried '18'!

It is rather like the world's longest sneezing fit.

Reds suffered from a benign Tourette's Syndrome, where the symptoms involved screaming '18' for a period of up to 19 years and the trigger was any mention of 'Manchester United'.....

Haven't you heard? '5!' is the new '18!'....

[mangoesteam]

Splendid article by Alex Dunn of Sky Sports.

Tevez v Berba
Alex Dunn takes a light-hearted look at United's striking talent

How much must Dimitar Berbatov hate Carlos Tevez?

That's the question, along with 'how does Jamie Carragher manage to get a wedgie every time he makes a slide tackle?' which has most frequently interrupted my thoughts when watching football this season.

I've become obsessed. I'll spend whole Sunday afternoons watching re-runs of United games through the eyes of the Bulgarian via player-cam, desperate to catch him mouth an obscenity or sneer when his Argentine team-mate runs the length of the field with United 4-0 up at home to Bolton to tackle Danny Shittu. With his head.

There's something mesmeric about watching two players, both undeniably of world class calibre, play the game from such contrasting mindsets. Put simply, Tevez is everything Berbatov isn't and it's clear from the 'Argentina' chants that serenade the former's every touch that the Old Trafford faithful have made up their mind which they prefer. At times it seems as though there's more chance of the home crowd adopting a chant for Uncle Bulgaria than their own number nine.

It is though the man that matters who has nailed his colours to Berbatov's mast this season, with Sir Alex Ferguson unequivocal in his conviction that his £30million acquisition is the heir apparent to King Eric. To date, the crown has not quite fitted. When quizzed on the United crowd's affection for Tevez, Fergie replied 'they love a trier' which sounded not dissimilar to a teacher telling a pupil they're 'special' because they have particular needs.

Throughout his two seasons at Old Trafford Tevez has been the model professional and is popular with his team-mates, fans and manager alike but his recent behaviour smacks of a petulance that owes as much to his 'owners'' desire for a lucrative pay-day as it does his own ambition and frustration. Giving Fergie the old Hulk Hogan ears and sulking whenever he is withdrawn sits better with his team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and could, in the long-run, prove to be his undoing when United's board meet to talk cold figures. They'll be loath to add diapers to next season's kit bill.

Berbatov's laissez-faire school of thought/movement can be frustrating for the partisan but the manner in he which he nonchalantly brought down Darren Fletcher's long ball and laid on the perfect pass for Tevez in the recent Manchester derby was more je ne sais quoi. Berbatov's got that certain something you just can't bottle, although there have been reports he has been in talks about fronting a new antiperspirant, it's got the tagline - BERBATOV: Guaranteed no sweat.

It would do a disservice to Tevez's talent though to label this a bout between the artisan and artist; craft and art, but there are clear parallels that can be drawn. Berbatov is Eubank to Tevez's street fighting Benn, is Peter Cook to Dudley Moore, is Baddiel to Skinner, Style Council to The Jam, Blur to Oasis. If the pair were pets, admittedly unlikely, Berbatov would be a cat that barely looks up when you get home, while Tevez would lick you and run off with a shoe. Think Garfield and Odie.

Berbatov's physique hardly does him any favours either. He's got the head of Andy Garcia and body of Jarvis Cocker and just doesn't look like a footballer. An up and coming mafioso maybe, but when he finally takes the hint and tracks back his tackling is reminiscent of a geography teacher that's had to take PE at the last minute. Somewhat perversely, he's fast becoming a poster boy for fat Sunday League strikers. His mantra is one I used to embrace; once when a centre-half lost patience with my reluctance to hare after one of his aimless punts forward and screamed 'CHASE IT!' I retorted 'You chase it, you f***** kicked it.' Berba would have been proud of that one.

Tevez, in stark contrast, is Brian Glover in Kes. He's probably only up to Berbatov's nipples but has an infectious and insatiable appetite for the fight that has United fans beating their chests and doing the unthinkable: singing about a team in blue and white.

Think with the head rather than heart though and the stats are slanted in Berbatov's favour. The big man has managed nine league goals to Tevez's five and has the most assists in the league alongside Frank Lampard, ten apiece. Tevez has assisted just three. The tackle count narrowly goes against Berbatov, with Tevez taking it 1,923 to three.

Ferguson, for his part, retains the utmost confidence in a player he has clearly always fancied managing, a la Cantona. While he persistently talks of United in terms of passion and guts and champions the spirit of risk and reward, he also appreciates the finer things in life. His love of fine wine is well known and while he'd bristle at being labelled a champagne socialist, he has managed to weld together sides that embrace cavalier spirit with roundhead efficiency.

Berbatov, like a vintage red, is an indulgence but one that Ferguson can well afford. It remains to be seen whether he feels the same about Tevez.


"Tell him to stop running boss."

[alex18122003]

It's Ronaldo United must keep

On Sunday night, Carlos Tevez preferred to stay at home to comfort his young daughter who had a temperature rather than attend Manchester United's player of the year celebrations (a prize won by Nemanja Vidic).

Coupled with his body language as he left the pitch during United's final home game of the season against Arsenal, the Argentine's absence has led many to assume that he is heading for pastures new. After two years at Old Trafford he will be taking his entourage of advisers, interpreters and owners elsewhere, thus ending one of the most convoluted and contorted episodes of player ownership in football history.

Once footballers were traded like pieces of meat. In Tevez's case, they have been traded like commodities, with a futures market and endless opportunities for arbitrage. And the characters drawn into ownership on the back of such possibilities are among the least savoury ever seen in football. Which is frankly saying something. In Tevez's case the fact the English authorities have sealed the loophole preventing third party ownership has probably confirmed his departure from United. His owners need a couple more trades to maximise their profit before they finally relinquish his signature.

For United fans, however, the matter is a simple one: whatever it takes, they want Tevez to stay. He is the epitome of the kind of player supporters appreciate, his energy and commitment a reflection of their investment in the cause. Everybody loves a trier. For Alex Ferguson, however, there are complications, beyond even the player's Byzantine ownership structure. He has in reserve two young strikers who he feels are ready to take a step up to regular first team deployment. He has already told Fabio Capello that he expects Danny Welbeck to be in England's World Cup squad next June, while all attempts by Italian clubs to take Federico Macheda on loan next season have been rebuffed. He wants both to get lots of games next term.

Ferguson has never shied away from removing obstacles in the way of young players' development, and with Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney already on the books, paying out a total of £32 million for Tevez, simply to line the pockets of third party owners is not something he would undertake lightly if it meant he was playing instead of United's future hopes. The Old Trafford hard core, however, would prefer it if the blockage to development was removed elsewhere in the team.

"Keep Tevez, let Ronaldo go," one United regular told me, voicing a widely held opinion. He added that Ronaldo's attitude had become increasingly hard for even the most diehard United fan to justify. The Ronaldo song which soundtracked United's march to Moscow last season has been much less frequent in its airing this. The fans have fallen out of love with their one-time favourite. The arrogance, the diving, the endless self-pity when decisions do not go his way, coupled with his pantomime attempt to be released to Real Madrid last summer, has convinced the regulars that his interest lies chiefly in the promotion of Cristiano Ronaldo rather than the wellbeing of their club. Such has been the falling out, the consensus is now that Ferguson should let him go and keep the one who cares.

In which case, the advice should be: careful what you wish for. True, Ronaldo started this season slowly. True, he is at times a leading candidate for the most annoying human being on the planet award. But consider this: his 18 league goals are what made the difference this season. United won the league because they beat teams at home that Liverpool could only draw with. And Ronaldo was the one who scored the winning goals. While it would be unfair to describe him as a flat track bully (his performance in the Champions League semi at the Emirates destroyed the myth that he can't cut it at the highest level) he certainly enjoys inflicting pain on those he considers beneath him.

Without Ronaldo's winners against Stoke, Blackburn, Hull, West Ham, Bolton and the rest at Old Trafford, Rafa Benitez would now be in receipt of a congratulatory letter from Alex Ferguson for securing Liverpool's 19th title. Ronaldo's is a skill not easily replicated. It is certainly not one Tevez - for all his qualities - possesses. In fact, for the future of his club, Ferguson would be advised to do the opposite of the fans' wishes and put all his summer work into ensuring he keeps Ronaldo, not Tevez.

[alex18122003]

Premier League - Ronaldo: I will stay at United

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo insists he will remain at Old Trafford next season.

Much like last year, Ronaldo's future is constantly under the spotlight and Real Madrid have again been linked with a move for the Portugal international.

United are adamant he is not for sale but if Florentino Perez wins the Madrid presidential elections he is likely to make signing the world player of the year his number one priority.

However, Ronaldo claims Perez's efforts would be futile.

"At the moment I'm only thinking about the (Champions League) final independently of what will happen to me or my team-mates next season," he told Atena 3.

"I'm sure Perez would create an incredible team at Madrid but at the moment I'm at United and I don't care about what happens there.

"I only care about what will happen next season at Manchester United."

[mangoesteam]

[alex18122003]

Champions League - Van der Sar not fazed by Barca

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is not any more worried than usual about facing Barcelona's free-scoring attack in the Champions League final.

Van der Sar will be lining up for his fourth final in Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night against a Barca side that has scored over 100 goals en route to winning La Liga this season.

But the 38-year-old, who was in goal for United's shootout victory against Chelsea 12 months ago, will approach the Catalan side just like any other.

"As a goalkeeper you always expect every team to give you nightmares," Van der Sar said. "Every flaw you have or lapse of concentration can cost you a goal so you have to be on your toes every minute of the game.

"You work hard the whole year to come to certain parts of the season when you can get your hands on some silverware: we did it with the league title and we want to do it now tomorrow.

Netherlands' record cap-winner Van der Sar has lifted the trophy twice before, for United last year and with Ajax in 1995, and he believes the experience of winning the competition which he shares with his team-mates will give them edge.

"We have experience. We went last year and we know how big the game is. Let's hope we can have some advantage with that."

The Dutch giant is also not fazed by the prospect of returning to Rome, where he and Ajax suffered defeat at the hands of Juventus the year after they had won the trophy in Vienna.

"Maybe I'm less nervous but there is 13 years in between. There has been a lot of activity and games in between so you know certain situations a little better than at that time."

[alex18122003]

Champions League - Barcelona win the Champions League

Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi scored the goals as Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Champions League final in Rome.

Cameroon international Eto'o struck after ten minutes and Messi added the second with a superb header 20 minutes from time.

United can have no complaints as they failed to find their usual fluency and defended hesitantly with many of their key performers well below-par.

Barcelona lifted the trophy for the third time in their history and matched United's own treble in 1999 as Pep Guardiola's men added Europe's premier competition to domestic League and Cup success.

The Catalan club scored with their first real attack after United started in electric fashion.

Andres Iniesta got past Anderson too easily and found Eto'o who cut inside Nemanja Vidic and toe poked the ball under Edwin van der Sar from close range.

Until then it had been all United.

After just two minutes Cristiano Ronaldo's 30-yard effort bounced viciously in front of Victor Valdes who spilled the effort and it required a superb block by former United defender Gerard Pique to deny Park Ji-sung a tap-in.

The Portuguese then volleyed just wide from 16 yards before United fell behind with Serb Vidic, named Barclays player of the year earlier in the day, culpable with a lackluster challenge.

Ronaldo looked to get his side back on terms and his run through on goal was ended by a Pique block for which he received a yellow card.

But Barca then began to boss the game and Messi came to the fore with a scorching drive just missing the top corner, with Van der Sar beaten, before Xavi curled a free-kick just over the top.

It was the 11th effort on goal in a frenetic opening half-hour.

United had an escape on the brink of half-time when Van der Sar spilled a low cross from Messi but there was no-one at the near post to capitalise and Sir Alex Ferguson gambled at the interval by replacing the ineffective Anderson with Carlos Tevez.

But Barca relished the extra space in midfield and twice came close to extending their advantage within the space of four minutes.

Iniesta sent Thierry Henry away down the left, in a big hole vacated by John O'Shea, and he turned Rio Ferdinand inside out before seeing his shot saved by the legs of Van der Sar.

Then a surging run from man-of-the-match Iniesta was ended a yard outside the penalty area by Vidic and Xavi curled the resulting free-kick around the wall and against the post.

United did regroup however and Ronaldo swung in a cross from the right which Yaya Toure completely missed only for the ball to bounce off the hard pitch and over the head of the unmarked Park six yards out.

Park was then replaced by Dimitar Berbatov as Ferguson threw caution to the wind with a 4-2-4 formation only to concede a second.

Patrice Evra hooked his clearance aimlessly to Xavi who picked out an unmarked Messi and the little Argentine climbed high to guide the ball past Van der Sar and into the far corner for his first goal against an English club.

United should have pulled a goal back almost immediately as the ball fell to Ronaldo at the far post only for Valdes to smother his shot.

Paul Scholes replaced Giggs and he was booked along with Ronaldo as United chased the game with the Premier League champions almost conceding a third when Carles Puyol's thumping header was saved by Van der Sar before the advancing Dutchman saved a shot from the Barca captain after the best move of the match.

Berbatov headed over from close range late on but there was no way back for United who failed in their bid to become the first team since Milan in 1990 to retain the European crown.

Victory for Barca also ended United's record 25-match unbeaten run in the competition and inflicted a first defeat in a European final on the Old Trafford club.