Match Thread: Man utd v Boro

DenMan · 29-12-2008 11:59pm

ShooterSF wrote: »

Did you not watch last year? Away United will go 4-5-1 with Rooney on the wing doing Defensive duties leaving Berbs to do his job.

Also after the last few match threads broke down to Rooney and Ronnie bashing at unprofessionalism where's the disgust at Pogatetz? Also what about the well known facts that if Rooney or Ronaldo didnt play for United they'd be sent off? Don't remember Pogatetz in a United jersey.. How come he didn't go?

I fancy Inter scoring at Old Trafford. Maybe more than one.

Nalz · 30-12-2008 12:08am

Fiver says they dont!

And of course Berbatov and Rooney amongst the bonus points on fantasy football site. How are they decided! joke

Harpy · 30-12-2008 12:12am

whatawaster wrote: »

have a read back and see who brought Liverpool into it.

wasn't having a go at liverpool fans on here at all i know who brought it up..its just gets boring..

The match was very frustrating.delighted Berbatov got a goal hopefully it'll be the start of something beautiful(and worth 30mil:D).. i thought he played well tonight some good passing...
Ronaldo in the first half was bad, he tried a lot but it just wasn't working for him.
Park was good aswell but his finishing lets him down.i felt he deserved a goal for all his effort..the defense was solid which is always reassuring..
I think the inter matches will be very tough if we're missing vidic for the both of them{do we know what the story is with that yet?)
I didn't think we were going to get the goal tonight, but it came thank god
We're definatley going to have to step up our game for chelsea's visit or we could be in trouble

ShooterSF · 30-12-2008 12:27am

DenMan wrote: »

I fancy Inter scoring at Old Trafford. Maybe more than one.

Fair enough. In the Champions league and Premiership United this season have conceeded 6 goals at Old Trafford. I don't see it happening but you're entitled to your opinion.

mike65 · 30-12-2008 12:31am

Oh one last thing

What was that banner across the Stretford End about? Something to do with trophies won I think.

redout · 30-12-2008 12:36am

mike65 wrote: »

Oh one last thing

What was that banner across the Stretford End about? Something to do with trophies won I think.

"Manchester European capital of trophies 2008"

think it was taking the piss out of Liverpool being European capital of culture 2008.

Killme00 · 30-12-2008 12:36am

missed the game, another 1-0 goddamn

Whats this about a banner in the Stretford end?

Spud83 · 30-12-2008 1:45am

Does nobody else remember our run of 1-0 wins last season. I know the results don't look good but our performances have been alright with plenty of chances being created. Only two points dropped at home so far. Still in touch with the league leaders after a difficult first half of the season (considering the away games we have played and the disruptions to our season), in the next round of the CL, semis of the CC, and no major injuries going into the 2nd half the season. With all things considered I would say job done for the first half of the season, I am really relishing the next 5 months and I'm sure the club is too.

A title fight with Liverpool would be brilliant it would make equalling there fantastic record all the better if we beat them to it.

wheres me jumpa · 30-12-2008 1:54am

The main issue I had with tonights performance and against Stoke was that the majority of our play went across /through the middle. In the second half tonight, I saw one cross (after beating the full back) put in, that was Fletcher who crossed to an empty box. We were clearly short on ideas and I just felt we could have used Ronaldo to greater effect by getting him to run at the full back. O'Shea and Rafael didnt offer much support going forward either. Gary Neville had an impact when he came on as he was getting up the wing. Frustrating night, however we have picked up maximum points on our return from Japan which was something I was worried might not happen.

Keith186 · 30-12-2008 2:01am

Yeah you's are doing well to be getting the points anyway, that's the main thing.

As an outsider on Man U I think that your fringe players aren't as up to the task this year and are scraping by sometimes much like Liverpool do did at the start.

It's gonna be an interesting 2nd half to the season, I think it's down to a two horse race, hard to rule Chelsea out but they seem to have lost something in this season (jammy deflected goals to equalise/win).

eddiehead · 30-12-2008 2:25am

bohsman wrote: »

Aidan has KK Ciaran has 77

Flop AJ8 5 K

Ciaran gone in 5th.

LEPO update thread maybe?

bohsman · 30-12-2008 2:44am

Me tired.

doonothing · 30-12-2008 5:53am

Trilla wrote: »

Fiver says they dont!

And of course Berbatov and Rooney amongst the bonus points on fantasy football site. How are they decided! joke

+1

And, no way :O
Is there any indication to how the points are awarded?

SteM · 30-12-2008 10:55am

Highsider wrote: »

Berba turning out to be the biggest flop since Veron. Spurs must be killing themselves with laughter...30m

Sure they can be killing themselves with laughter over the £49m they got in total for Berbatov and Keane.

There's no doubt that Berbatov has the skill to socre a couple of vital goals between now and the end of the season. United are in a decent position to defend their League and they're still in the Champions League.

Let Spurs laugh with their relegation battle and defence of the Carling Cup.

Hobart · 30-12-2008 11:24am

SteM wrote: »

Sure they can be killing themselves with laughter over the £49m they got in total for Berbatov and Keane.

There's no doubt that Berbatov has the skill to socre a couple of vital goals between now and the end of the season. United are in a decent position to defend their League and they're still in the Champions League.

Let Spurs laugh with their relegation battle and defence of the Carling Cup.

In fairness, for all your bluff, he is not turning out to be the player that Manu thought he would be. Unless there is a major turn-around in form, he will be a major flop, of Veron proportions.

I do find it amusing, however, that Manu fans can "look over" the terrible performances last night and at the weekend and give it the usual "3 points", "look at all the 1-0 wins last year", "yada yada yada" and when other teams do it, it's a case of " sure you won't be that lucky for the rest of the season".

Utd are not firing on all cylinders, and it will just be a matter of time before they do really slip up, be it in the league, or as I suspect, in the CL.

Boggles · 30-12-2008 11:30am

Scholes is the best midfielder in the league. Keeping himself and Carrick fit and in the centre will be the key to Uniteds success.

Berbatov was the difference last night and against Stoke, sublime assist for Tevez and great finish last night. His 2 seasons with Spurs he really only got going in December, seems he is carrying on that tradition with United.

Boro didn't park the bus and that's a credit to them but United did cut them apart at times, A straight Ronaldo and it would have been 4 or 5 for United last night.

3 Lung Park was definately out to prove himself for that contract too, shocking miss but apart from that I thought he was excellent, even getting himself booked.

United have the best defense in Europe last season to come back, the most successful midfield partnership the past 2 seasons and the majority of the sticky away matches played. 2 Cup matches up next to set them up nicely for the big one one at OT, a must win to get one point behind Chelsea with 2 games in hand, Liverpool have a sticky away game at stoke the evening previous. Exciting times.

SteM · 30-12-2008 11:38am

I'm not overlooking anything and I'm not bluffing anything. I said to a friend last night while watching the game that Berbatov is reminding me of Veron. A good player but not the right player for United at the time that he came in. I usually try to give new players a year before judging them totally though.

Everything else I said is fact. United are still in the League and CL. They're not scoring many goals yet the goal difference is +19 whereas the league leaders are +22.

It seems that any of the top 4 or 5 could mess up on any given weekend this season, not sure why you're singling United out for the slip. They're as defensively sound as any of the top 4 (shipped one more than Chelsea and three less than Liverpool). That's a solid foundation to build on at least.

Boggles · 30-12-2008 11:45am

Hobart wrote: »

Utd are not firing on all cylinders, and it will just be a matter of time before they do really slip up, be it in the league, or as I suspect, in the CL.

Or alternatively fire up those remaining cylinders and win the quadrouple.

Hobart · 30-12-2008 11:47am

Boggles wrote: »

Or alternatively fire up those remaining cylinders and win the quadrouple.

They are more than capable of it (quadruple

), I just see very little sign of it of late.

And I'm not even close to be being convinced about Liverpool or Chelsea either tbh, but that's probably for another thread.

RasTa · 30-12-2008 11:52am

Hobart wrote: »

In fairness, for all your bluff, he is not turning out to be the player that Manu thought he would be. Unless there is a major turn-around in form, he will be a major flop, of Veron proportions.

Really, a flop already?? 7 goals and 6 assists in 16 games, league and champions league. That’s some flop.

Also I'm loving our defence at the moment only conceded 4 goals at home all season and 3 of them was against Hull.

I love how bad we are playing, just love it!

Boggles · 30-12-2008 12:04pm

Hobart wrote: »

They are more than capable of it (quadruple ), I just see very little sign of it of late.

I agree with you Hobart, I have not seen United turn out this season, but I think the Scholes and Carrick partnership is the key, with the strong back four behind them.

It can be argued aswell that Berbatov is a flop, it all depends on the level of expection people had from him, 7 assists and 3 goals in 15 league appearences is a poor return especially goal wise, but having watched every minute of him he is improving and should improve his goal ratio, I think even United of last season would have only drawn against Stoke and Boro last night, I have to say Berbatov was the difference.

As for people saying Spurs are laughing at the 50 odd million that they got from the transfers of Keane and Berbatov, I doubt many Spurs fans are giddy at the moment. If they get beaten by a strong Wigan side away next it could mean rock bottom for the Londoners.

I know Spurs fans and selling the 3 international strikers without replacing them was not amusing in the least. What will it cost them in January to bring in the new faces, add to that what Ramos was paid to leave and what Arry was paid to take over and your not getting much change from your 50 million.

Come May Keane or Berbatov could be lifting some serious trophies, I wonder will there still be people laughing?

eagle eye · 30-12-2008 12:41pm

RasTa wrote: »

Really, a flop already?? 7 goals and 6 assists in 16 games, league and champions league. That’s some flop.

Also I'm loving our defence at the moment only conceded 4 goals at home all season and 3 of them was against Hull.

I love how bad we are playing, just love it!

Berbatov has been a flop so far, no question about it.

Interestingly, I mentioned this as the game was starting last night. I think yet again it was proven that Evans looks good playing with Vidic but has looked horrendous beside Ferdinand. As I've said before I think Vidic makes Ferdinand look better than he is and I think the performances of Evans beside both prove that point. My personal opinion is that Ferdinand is the most overrated defender in the Premier League while Vidic is underrated by most. I don't think its any accident that the United defence improved significantly when Vidic arrived and two league titles and a Champions League in that time sort of prove his worth.

Boggles · 30-12-2008 12:48pm

eagle eye wrote: »

while Vidic is underrated by most.

I don't know what "most" people you would be talking to, but I have yet to come across anybody who ever they support underate Vidic???

But I have come across plenty who slate Ferdinand, so I don't really know what you are trying to prove or point your trying to get across.

eagle eye wrote: »

I don't think its any accident that the United defence improved significantly when Vidic arrived and two league titles and a Champions League in that time sort of prove his worth.

You can also add Evra to that and a bang in form Brown, dismissing Ferdinand as not being a big part of that is quite naive to be honest.

Basically your wrong, a denfense is only as strong as it's weakest link. Ferdinand is an excellent centre half, so is Vidic, together they complement each other superbly.

eagle eye · 30-12-2008 12:55pm

Boggles wrote: »

I don't know what "most" people you would be talking to, but I have yet to come across anybody who ever they support underate Vidic???

But I have come across plenty who slate Ferdinand, so I don't really know what you are trying to prove or point your trying to get across.

Well basically what I'm saying is that you could put 6 other Premier League defenders beside him and the United defence would be as solid as when Ferdinand plays along side Vidic. It might even get better.

Boggles · 30-12-2008 12:58pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Well basically what I'm saying is that you could put 6 other Premier League defenders beside him and the United defence would be as solid as when Ferdinand plays along side Vidic. It might even get better.

Nonsense.

eagle eye · 30-12-2008 1:33pm

Boggles wrote: »

Nonsense.

please explain

Vic Vinegar · 30-12-2008 1:40pm

eagle eye wrote: »

please explain

He doesn't have to explain, because what you're saying is nonsense.

Spud83 · 30-12-2008 2:00pm

Hobart wrote: »

I do find it amusing, however, that Manu fans can "look over" the terrible performances last night and at the weekend and give it the usual "3 points", "look at all the 1-0 wins last year", "yada yada yada" and when other teams do it, it's a case of " sure you won't be that lucky for the rest of the season".

Utd are not firing on all cylinders, and it will just be a matter of time before they do really slip up, be it in the league, or as I suspect, in the CL.

The only thing terrible about our performance last night was the finishing. Everything else about our game was very very good. The stoke game was poor but a lot of people will go away to Stoke and struggle. The fact it was after the trip to Japan makes the 1-0 wins perfectly acceptable.

We all all know when you say "other teams" you mean Liverpool so just say it. And the reason that is said about Liverpool (not just by United fans) is because we are used to Liverpool having a really crappy month every season and dropping off.

As for it being a matter of time before we slip up. Well off course thats possible buts its equally possible we start taking a greater percentage of our chances and start demolishing teams.

eagle eye · 30-12-2008 2:06pm

Bombleswizzum wrote: »

He doesn't have to explain, because what you're saying is nonsense.

Have you read what I've written, my point is quite clear. Put Evans beside Vidic and he looks decent, put Evans beside Ferdinand and he looks terrible.

Explain that.

Or of course its easy to hide behind a silly comment like you just did and say no more, rather than hide a lack of knowledge and/or a lack of a good argument to show me where I'm wrong here.

~Rebel~ · 30-12-2008 2:11pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Have you read what I've written, my point is quite clear. Put Evans beside Vidic and he looks decent, put Evans beside Ferdinand and he looks terrible.

Explain that.

Certain types of players compliment other types of players. Doesn't mean any of them are crap, just that certain pairings work. Balde for example, with an intelligent defender beside him is actually pretty good, but with an equally dim (even if good) one, he's poor and looks lost.

Vidic does a lot of the dirty work so more refined defenders like Evans and Rio can do what they do best. Not strange that when the tough guy is out of the picture, the other two dont work as well together.

Spud83 · 30-12-2008 2:15pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Have you read what I've written, my point is quite clear. Put Evans beside Vidic and he looks decent, put Evans beside Ferdinand and he looks terrible.

Explain that.

Or of course its easy to hide behind a silly comment like you just did and say no more, rather than hide a lack of knowledge and/or a lack of a good argument to show me where I'm wrong here.

I believe the nonsense part was regarding the 6 defenders comments. Please name the six defenders that you could put in beside Vidic and the United defense would be the same or better.

I could also explain how Evans looks better beside Vidic then Ferdinand very easily.

Vidic attacks the ball better than Evans or Ferdinand, and is a more physical defender. Evans and Ferdinand tend to read the game ahead of the them and defend by being in the right position quicker then the attacker. Evans and Ferdinand can "dove tail" with Vidic nicely. While Evans and Ferdinand together leaves the defense looking unbalanced.

So its not about which is the better player its about the partnership, I agree Evans and Vidic make a better partnership then Rio and Evans. But

Rio and Vidic > all IMO

eagle eye · 30-12-2008 6:00pm

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

I believe the nonsense part was regarding the 6 defenders comments. Please name the six defenders that you could put in beside Vidic and the United defense would be the same or better.

I could also explain how Evans looks better beside Vidic then Ferdinand very easily.

Vidic attacks the ball better than Evans or Ferdinand, and is a more physical defender. Evans and Ferdinand tend to read the game ahead of the them and defend by being in the right position quicker then the attacker. Evans and Ferdinand can "dove tail" with Vidic nicely. While Evans and Ferdinand together leaves the defense looking unbalanced.

So its not about which is the better player its about the partnership, I agree Evans and Vidic make a better partnership then Rio and Evans. But

Rio and Vidic > all IMO

Laursen, Toure, Carragher, Woodgate, Richards and Distan could all replace him without loss to United and the first two might improve the defence. Not to mention Evans who has shown he can be excellent beside Vidic and there are probably a few others as well.

~Rebel~ · 30-12-2008 6:05pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Laursen, Toure, Carragher, Woodgate, Richards and Distan could all replace him without loss to United and the first two might improve the defence. Not to mention Evans who has shown he can be excellent beside Vidic and there are probably a few others as well.

All decent defenders but im not sure any of those clubs would keep their players if Rio was an option, barring age.

And Toure better? he's barely been first chocie for Arsenal this year...

Boggles · 30-12-2008 6:09pm

eagle eye wrote: »

please explain

You are talking nonsense for the following reasons.

1. Vidic is underated - incorrect
2. Ferdinand is over rated and gets all the accolades - incorrect
3. You could put 6 other centre backs beside Vidic and the partnership would be better than Vidic / Ferdinand - incorrect
4. Evans 2 best games IMO were the one last night and the one against Villareal at OT. Where he partnered both Vidic and Ferdinand respectively.
5. Uniteds 2 most impressive defensive displays last season were the 2 games against Barcalona where it was a Ferdinand / Brown partnership.

You obviously don't like Ferdinand or rate him which is fair enough, but when your not been fair and balanced you will be accused of talking nonsense which in this situation you clearly are.

eagle eye · 30-12-2008 7:06pm

Boggles wrote: »

You obviously don't like Ferdinand or rate him which is fair enough, but when your not been fair and balanced you will be accused of talking nonsense which in this situation you clearly are.

LMFAO, why do people think you dislike someone when you say that he is overrated?

I just don't think he is as good as he touted to be, thats all, I think that Laursen and Toure are better than him.

As it turns out I like the guy, he gives his all every game and you cannot fault him for that. I have said before that he has leadership qualities as well and I give credit where I feel its due.

I personally believe that Vidic is the best centreback in the World. I believe that Evra is one of the top three left backs in the world also. He may well be the best but its a tight call between him and two others. I just think that Ferdinand is overrated by so many, he reads the game well and is a top defender, lets get that clear, I'm not saying that he is average in any way, I just think that there are a good few better than him. For me he was going downhill until Vidic arrived at Old Trafford, he has improved since Vidic's arrival but I'm starting to wonder if thats down to Vidic being able to make others around him look better than they really are, i.e. Evans.

mormank · 30-12-2008 7:49pm

eagle eye wrote: »

LMFAO, why do people think you dislike someone when you say that he is overrated?

I just don't think he is as good as he touted to be, thats all, I think that Laursen and Toure are better than him.

As it turns out I like the guy, he gives his all every game and you cannot fault him for that. I have said before that he has leadership qualities as well and I give credit where I feel its due.

I personally believe that Vidic is the best centreback in the World. I believe that Evra is one of the top three left backs in the world also. He may well be the best but its a tight call between him and two others. I just think that Ferdinand is overrated by so many, he reads the game well and is a top defender, lets get that clear, I'm not saying that he is average in any way, I just think that there are a good few better than him. For me he was going downhill until Vidic arrived at Old Trafford, he has improved since Vidic's arrival but I'm starting to wonder if thats down to Vidic being able to make others around him look better than they really are, i.e. Evans.

vidic is the best centre back in the world?? hmmm, interesting. im sure if he was english he would be hyped as such in the english media..dunno if its true tho.

and in your opinion then, who are these 3 left backs that are the best in the world but you cannot pick between?? interesting that initially abidal was first choice left back for france in euro 2008. for the record i agree about evra, class left back

Boggles · 30-12-2008 9:04pm

eagle eye wrote: »

LMFAO, why do people think you dislike someone when you say that he is overrated?

Might be something to do with these nonsense comments.

eagle eye wrote: »

Interestingly, I mentioned this as the game was starting last night. I think yet again it was proven that Evans looks good playing with Vidic but has looked horrendous beside Ferdinand.