Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

starbelgrade

It'd be nice to have the luxury of setting up a football club. One that would be funded by disgruntled members of another club. But I don't have that luxury. I don't even live in Manchester, so I remain, seated on my ivory tower, watching the club I supported since I was 5 years old, playing on the TV & take the occasional trip over to see them when I can.

I get why FC united started. I get it. Money speaks louder than words. But I also support Bohs. And I live in Sligo. Last season, Sligo Rovers were charging €20 a game. To see them play here twice, cost €40.

To see Bohs play at home cost me €200 odd with petrol, food & a B&B, never mind the drinks. A trip to Old Trafford on a package costs much the same.

We've all been priced out of it, but none of us believe that watching a game on TV is the same as the ivory tower of a corporate box.

Football is expensive - especially top end stuff. And to boot, I'm sure that if FC United ever got a whiff of success, they'd end up being funded the same way most successful clubs are funded .. by rich businessmen.

The exact same way that Newton Heath were funded when they entered the Football League.

The Muppet

starbelgrade wrote: »

It'd be nice to have the luxury of setting up a football club. One that would be funded by disgruntled members of another club. But I don't have that luxury. I don't even live in Manchester, so I remain, seated on my ivory tower, watching the club I supported since I was 5 years old, playing on the TV & take the occasional trip over to see them when I can.

I get why FC united started. I get it. Money speaks louder than words. But I also support Bohs. And I live in Sligo. Last season, Sligo Rovers were charging €20 a game. To see them play here twice, cost €40.

To see Bohs play at home cost me €200 odd with petrol, food & a B&B, never mind the drinks. A trip to Old Trafford on a package costs much the same.

We've all been priced out of it, but none of us believe that watching a game on TV is the same as the ivory tower of a corporate box.

Football is expensive - especially top end stuff. And to boot, I'm sure that if FC United ever got a whiff of success, they'd end up being funded the same way most successful clubs are funded .. by rich businessmen.

The exact same way that Newton Heath were funded when they entered the Football League.

By a St. Bernard ?

I respect the FC United supporters, It can't have been easy to make the choices they did, They were Man United to the core but stopped supporting on principle at a time when there was a lot of uncertainty about the club. The glazers were not the reason for their break away. I would love to see them in the premiership one day.

niallk

starbelgrade wrote: »

That's the difference between supporting a club & being a fanatic... a supporter sticks there, through thick & thin, wins, losses & draws, bad managers & good, bad owners & worse, relegations & promotions. All thehighs & lows that make football what it is.

Fanatics are just loons. I reckon the FC in FC United stands for Fanatical Cr*p.

I think you're talking through your arse TBH. IMO FC United supporters love MUFC more than we do and it's the breaking down of the essence of the club that they rejected. I respect them wholly and if more "fans" realised the power have (that they are the people who fund the club) then we wouldn't have to make do with the Glazers or whoever.

There's an inbuilt hopelessness that fans people have about their ability to change things. It is "built in" by the people who have the power. TBH I'm surprised to see The Muppet thanking people (Des) "on my side" because he is a typical cynic of the cause:
"Oh what will be will be. Whoever runs us we'll have the same problems."

It's horrible to read this kind of stuff, not because he's given up on the cause, but because he's actually arguing against people that haven't. And fair play to the Glazers, who not only seemed to have weathered the storm, but have seen their club increase vastly in value. Now we "fans" will sit back and say "Well at least we tried", and the Green and Gold 'til United is Sold campaign will just have become a fad and worse: a fashion statement.

The Muppet becomes the master.

Mitch Connor

starbelgrade wrote: »

That's the difference between supporting a club & being a fanatic... a supporter sticks there, through thick & thin, wins, losses & draws, bad managers & good, bad owners & worse, relegations & promotions. All thehighs & lows that make football what it is.

Fanatics are just loons. I reckon the FC in FC United stands for Fanatical Cr*p.

Rubbish. the vast majority of FC United fans were United supporters through the 70's and 80's, through bad runs, managers and owners.

They 'left' not simply because they don't like the Glazers, they left because they got disillusioned with the way the game had gone in general and the Glazers were simply the straw that broke the cammels back.

The left cause they were fed up with every game being at the mercy of the TV companies, they left because of the 'health and safety' rubbish such as being constantly told to sit down and be quiet (it has happened). They left because of the over commercialisation of the game and the fact fans aren't treated as fans anymore, but as consumers/customers. They left because they were fed up in having no say in how their club was being ran, nor how the game was being ran. They left because it became to expensive for a father to bring even one son to games, never mind a family going to the games together.

I know a good number still watch United and wish to see the team do well, but they love being able to watch their team every week in the flesh, love being able to actually get to know the players that represent them, love actually having a democratic say in issues that affect the club and its future, love the fact the club caters for their needs and circumstances - United's ticket prices were raised in the recession, FC United allowed their supporters to simply pay what they could.

More power to them.

Boggles

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Rubbish. the vast majority of FC United fans were United supporters through the 70's and 80's, through bad runs, managers and owners.

They 'left' not simply because they don't like the Glazers, they left because they got disillusioned with the way the game had gone in general and the Glazers were simply the straw that broke the cammels back.

The left cause they were fed up with every game being at the mercy of the TV companies, they left because of the 'health and safety' rubbish such as being constantly told to sit down and be quiet (it has happened). They left because of the over commercialisation of the game and the fact fans aren't treated as fans anymore, but as consumers/customers. They left because they were fed up in having no say in how their club was being ran, nor how the game was being ran. They left because it became to expensive for a father to bring even one son to games, never mind a family going to the games together.

I know a good number still watch United and wish to see the team do well, but they love being able to watch their team every week in the flesh, love being able to actually get to know the players that represent them, love actually having a democratic say in issues that affect the club and its future, love the fact the club caters for their needs and circumstances - United's ticket prices were raised in the recession, FC United allowed their supporters to simply pay what they could.

More power to them.

Jesus they sound like a bunch of tweed hat wearing dinosaurs.

Peyton Manning

Nani signs new 4 year contract

Nani lands new deal
Manchester United is pleased to announce that Nani has signed a new four-year contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until at least June 2014.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Nani is an emerging talent within the team and has developed tremendously since joining the club. We are delighted he has signed a new contract and I am sure he will have a long and successful future here at Manchester United."

Nani, who signed for United in July 2007, said: “I am delighted to have signed a new contract. It has been like a dream come true to play for Manchester United. The coaching staff have taught me so much about the game and I am playing alongside some of the best players in the world.

"I'm looking forward to winning many more trophies with this team.

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB4CEE8FA%2D9A47%2D47BC%2DB069%2D3F7A2F35DB70%7D&newsid=6647605

Great news. Hopefully he can build on his impressive form lately safe in the knowledge he has a future here.

PHB

I don't see why any United fan would be so dismissive towards FC United. I hope that it gets to the stage where Manchester United are able to get those people back into the club.

Boggles

PHB wrote: »

I don't see why any United fan would be so dismissive towards FC United. I hope that it gets to the stage where Manchester United are able to get those people back into the club.

I'm not being dismissive, I just don't agree with some of their reasoning.

keane2097

Boggles wrote: »

I'm not being dismissive, I just don't agree with some of their reasoning.

As you so eloquently communicated with the dinosaurs bit :pac:

PHB

Fair enough, I don't agree with lots of the United fans' views in this thread about the Glazers. I'm not going to minimise their loyalty to United about it though.

Boggles

keane2097 wrote: »

As you so eloquently communicated with the dinosaurs bit :pac:

Complaining about prices.

Compaining about "Health and Safety"

Complaining about "New Fans"

They sound like my Grandmother, god rest her.

Fuhrer

Archimedes wrote: »

Nani signs new 4 year contract



Great news. Hopefully he can build on his impressive form lately safe in the knowledge he has a future here.

Either that or he goes back to his old self safe in the knowledge hes got a nice long contract

Boggles

PHB wrote: »

Fair enough, I don't agree with lots of the United fans' views in this thread about the Glazers. I'm not going to minimise their loyalty to United about it though.

They don't have any loyalty to United anymore?

Do they?

nicklauski

Fuhrer wrote: »

Either that or he goes back to his old self safe in the knowledge hes got a nice long contract

Can sell him for more money then if he has longer to run on his contract

All messing aside. I think we all thought he would be gone in the summer, but since the Arsenal and games after, he has shown flashes of brilliance.
Long may it continue.

Mitch Connor

From the press conference:

Giggs in line to start.

Rooney fit to play, nothing wrong with his knee (would wonder why he was not in training this week then...)

O'Shea back in first team training today, in line to play again early April.

Scholes ok as well after an ankle knock

Spud83

Mitch Connor wrote: »

From the press conference:

Giggs in line to start.

Rooney fit to play, nothing wrong with his knee (would wonder why he was not in training this week then...)

O'Shea back in first team training today, in line to play again early April.

Scholes ok as well after an ankle knock

So pretty much all good news, though I do will wonder if Rooney will start. I expect us to go two up though, and that would hopefully mean he doesn't have to put in as much work.

Giggs to start? Possible, hard to tell what Fergie will be thinking with Munich, Chelsea, Munich coming up. Giggs may be on the bench for the two Munich games.

In other news the red knights have said they won't be making a bid for the club before the end of the season. Which is expected really.

Headshot

Great to hear John is back, just a pity it might be to late for the bayern games

Spud83

Headshot wrote: »

Great to hear John is back, just a pity it might be to late for the bayern games

Still it would be great to be able to give Patrice a game or two off. Games like Blackburn, Sunderland, and Stoke for example.

ShiverinEskimo

Spud83 wrote: »

Still it would be great to be able to give Patrice a game or two off. Games like Blackburn, Sunderland, and Stoke for example.

No way. You start giving him time off and he'll lose his form. He's second or third choice for France anyways so we can burn him out all we like.

v3ttel

Archimedes wrote: »

Nani signs new 4 year contract



Great news. Hopefully he can build on his impressive form lately safe in the knowledge he has a future here.

Great news on Nani.... starts against Liverpool, Arsenal, Milan x2, new contract, hopefully his confidence will be sky-high now after getting these votes of confidence from SAF.

We're going to need him playing well for the run-in.

Boggles

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

No way. You start giving him time off and he'll lose his form. He's second or third choice for France anyways so we can burn him out all we like.

He is firmly first choice for France.

Spud83

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

No way. You start giving him time off and he'll lose his form. He's second or third choice for France anyways so we can burn him out all we like.

The guy has played a huge amount of football this season, including starting every league game. I'm not worried about France, I'm worried that if we get further in the CL he could be wrecked, and his energy up and down the left flank is hugely important to us.

He won't lose form by sitting out a game or two. If we can give him the Blackburn game off, thats a week and half break for him, from the Munich game to the City game. I'd be happy with that. In fact O'Sheas height could be an advantage with Blackburns lump it tactics.

The Muppet

niallk wrote: »

TBH I'm surprised to see The Muppet thanking people (Des) "on my side" because he is a typical cynic of the cause:
"Oh what will be will be. Whoever runs us we'll have the same problems."

It's horrible to read this kind of stuff, not because he's given up on the cause, but because he's actually arguing against people that haven't. And fair play to the Glazers, who not only seemed to have weathered the storm, but have seen their club increase vastly in value. Now we "fans" will sit back and say "Well at least we tried", and the Green and Gold 'til United is Sold campaign will just have become a fad and worse: a fashion statement.

The Muppet becomes the master.

I thanked Des because I agreed with his post.

I am not Pro Glazer nor am I a cynic. I am not pro The green and Gold campaign because it's too vague and has the potential to damamge the club further imo. Green and gold until we're sold doesn't cut it for me, I'd need to know who we are being sold to for a start before I'd support it.

The Red Knights fall into the same catagory, too vague reminds of the Michael Knighton attempted take over.

I also think there is a lot of mis information touted on the issue, none of the figures I have seen quoted take into account the true value of the club or projections of increased revenue streams into the future.

I think of the debt in the same way I do a mortgage, in the first few years you are to the pin of your collar to meet the repayments but as the years pass income increases and teh morgage ceases to be the struggel it was in the begining. I know it's more complex than that but the principle is the same.




Good news re Nani, his future looked somewhat shaky not so long ago.

ShiverinEskimo

Boggles wrote: »

He is firmly first choice for France.

Thought Abidal/Clichy tended to get the nod.

Boggles

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Thought Abidal/Clichy tended to get the nod.

Nah, Ray D. eventually saw sense.

ShiverinEskimo

Fair enough. The reason I made a point about France was because Evra could have one eye on being fresh-ish for the WC in that case if he is going to first on the team sheet.

He has more or less played every game United have played this season. He might look to be rested but he's still our best LB so I'd rather he was kept there and not given a rest.

keane2097

I think his energy levels seem to have dropped in recent weeks and would be in favour of him getting a rest.

Boggles

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Fair enough. The reason I made a point about France was because Evra could have one eye on being fresh-ish for the WC in that case if he is going to first on the team sheet.

Of all the players in the squad I'd have him at the top of being 100% focused for the run in.

goddevil

Boggles wrote: »

He is firmly first choice for France.

Then we should burn him out more

s_carnage

Headshot wrote: »

Great to hear John is back, just a pity it might be to late for the bayern games

Was JOS included in the Champions League squad though. Suppose he is counted as one of our home grown players so it wouldn't make any difference to numbers.

antod

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6055106,00.html
Red Knights delay bid

Spud83

s_carnage wrote: »

Was JOS included in the Champions League squad though. Suppose he is counted as one of our home grown players so it wouldn't make any difference to numbers.

yeah, he was included in the squad. Link

Mitch Connor

antod wrote: »

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6055106,00.html
Red Knights delay bid

I don't think it has been delayed in reality, I don't think it was ever really viable for a bid to be made before the end of the season. getting the cash and a workable and backed business plan together wouldn't have been possible (imo) before the end of the season, simply not enough time.

ShiverinEskimo

Boggles wrote: »

Of all the players in the squad I'd have him at the top of being 100% focused for the run in.

Defo agree. But it's only March. World Cup fever will start to kick in closer to the tournament. He is unlikey to let it affect him, total pro and United to the bone but it could come up in conversation with Fergie.

I'd like to see him every game if he's up to it. So important a player for us.

Vanbis

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Defo agree. But it's only March. World Cup fever will start to kick in closer to the tournament. He is unlikey to let it affect him, total pro and United to the bone but it could come up in conversation with Fergie.

I'd like to see him every game if he's up to it. So important a player for us.

Rooney will be Manutd player of the season but if he didnt get so many goals i believe Evra would get it, topclass all season and last season as well.

Good news is John O Shea is back in training and should be back in contention at the beginning of April.

deisedevil

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

No way. You start giving him time off and he'll lose his form. He's second or third choice for France anyways so we can burn him out all we like.

:eek: Pretty sure he's always first choise for France?

Iago

Des wrote: »

It is not their club any more, not in any sense of the word.

So they did what they felt they needed to, they set up their own club, a club that retains the values of the Manchester United Football Club of old.

And more power to them.

While I agree completely with the sentiment in your post, bar stooler abuse aside, the above is only temporary and that's what gets me about it.

They didn't set up their own club to stay in the lowest division possible forever and if they keep up progress, as they want to, then it might only be 15-20 years before they're being "priced out" of supporting their club and will go and set up their own club, a club that retains the values of the FC United of Manchester of old...

...oh wait!!!

Spud83

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Defo agree. But it's only March. World Cup fever will start to kick in closer to the tournament. He is unlikey to let it affect him, total pro and United to the bone but it could come up in conversation with Fergie.

He is a focused individual alright. I remember in the run up to out CL victory two years back, I believe it was after the celebrations and MUTV had interviews with the players leaving the hotel the next morning. He was asked had he a late night, and he said No, I celebrated a little but went to bed early enough as I knew I had to get up today and start getting ready for the Euro Championships with France.

He doesn't seem like a mad partier, very focused on his carer and his family (i believe he is supporting a large extended family). He will be total concentrated on every game for United, and when our season is over he will be totally concentrated on France.

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

I'd like to see him every game if he's up to it. So important a player for us.

I don't think we need him for every game. Yes he is top class, but he is the only one in the squad who hasn't had a break he has played 2755 minutes of premier league football this year easily the highest in our squad, throw in the CL, and the tough France games, that is a lot of games. We aren't talking a massive break we are talking one or two games where we should be able to cope without him (who have Blackburn got on the wings?). He would come back after that break fresher, and ready for the final push.

keane2097

Iago wrote: »

While I agree completely with the sentiment in your post, bar stooler abuse aside, the above is only temporary and that's what gets me about it.

They didn't set up their own club to stay in the lowest division possible forever and if they keep up progress, as they want to, then it might only be 15-20 years before they're being "priced out" of supporting their club and will go and set up their own club, a club that retains the values of the FC United of Manchester of old...

...oh wait!!!

The business man owned, bleed the supporters dry model is not the only soccer club/corporation paradigm in the world you know...

ShiverinEskimo

deisedevil wrote: »

:eek: Pretty sure he's always first choise for France?

Ok. I was wrong. But please, rather than seeing a post and hammering the reply button like a maniac, read on man. Read how two or three people already pulled me up on that, and read how I admitted my error and thanked those who brought it to light.

dr.bollocko

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

No way. You start giving him time off and he'll lose his form. He's second or third choice for France anyways so we can burn him out all we like.

I'm pretty sure that chap's a first team regular for france mate.

>_>
<_<
:P

deisedevil

Vanbis wrote: »

Good news is John O Shea is back in training and should be back in contention at the beginning of April.

That's great great news. We are getting players back and hitting a bit of decent form. Chelsea are losing players. Arsenal are without a doubt the biggest threat especially with their run in.

Iago

keane2097 wrote: »

The business man owned, bleed the supporters dry model is not the only soccer club/corporation paradigm in the world you know...

I don't buy the whole bleed the supporters dry argument either. You can get a ticket to Old Trafford for £27, the most expensive ticket in the ground is still only £49.

Compare that to
Arsenal £33-£94
Chelsea £45-£65
Spurs £27-£73

There is a finite number of seats and a much bigger demand than there is supply. Success is expensive in football and if you want your club to be able to attract the best players and compete in the best competitions then you have to fund it from somewhere.

My point is that as FC United of Manchester move up the leagues, as they are doing now, they will also have to increase ticket prices/merchandising/advertising etc in order to attract players that can compete and win at that level. Ultimately if they are successful enough they will end up in the Premier League where they will have the same restrictions that made the fans leave United in the first place

More expensive players = more expensive tickets
Premier League Rules = No standing for health and safety
More Success = More likelihood of takeover bids and having to bow to pressure

and so on and so forth. I don't disparge them for their decisions but I think it's like putting a plaster over a broken limb.

deisedevil

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Ok. I was wrong. But please, rather than seeing a post and hammering the reply button like a maniac, read on man. Read how two or three people already pulled me up on that, and read how I admitted my error and thanked those who brought it to light.

Yep, sorry bout that.

I ain't no maniac though. I just made a mistake, we can all make mistakes.

Mikeyt086

Rooney will get Man United player of the season.

I would tip Patrice Evra to get United "Players player of the season."

His team-mates know how important Evra is to the team. And big Vida got that award the year Ronaldo hit 42 goals.

Mitch Connor

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

Rooney will get Man United player of the season.

I would tip Patrice Evra to get United "Players player of the season."

His team-mates know how important Evra is to the team. And big Vida got that award the year Ronaldo hit 42 goals.

Did he? I thought Vidic got the award last season, Ronnie got it the season before (when he got the 42 goals)

RasTa

Look who popped into Carrington today.

Mitch Connor

RasTa wrote: »

Look who popped into Carrington today.

<pics of Cantona>

Thats not from today - it is either from last week of from early this week. He was at the Liverpool game and popped in to Carrington as well.

Spud83

Thought that was earlier in the week, unless he has been hanging around for a while.

Smegball

Cantona sleeps in Carrington :pac: