Manchester United (Part 1)

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Paulinho
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Eric Cantona wrote:
Paulinho wrote:
Eric Cantona wrote:
Whether you and I want him in the team or not, you can't deny we have been trying to sign him, David Gill has been speaking to Inter regularly, we just won't pay his wage demands.  If he lowers them, he will come.
 
Sorry dude I'm not convinced that's happened at all. Two days ago Wesley comes out and says there have been 'infomal chats between contacts' or something similar. To me that doesn't amount to the CEO ringing their CEO with a 'we'll pay whatevs if we can agree on a wage'.
 
A couple of the papers in England have run with the story we will sign him all summer, regardless of Ferguson and Gill's statements, pretty much to the contrary. It may happen and you may be right, but I don't think what I have seen reported so far as solid evidence that the deal will happen.
 
I should say I have nothing against Sneijder, he is a world class player. One of the very best. I'm just looking at the squad and trying to see what Ferguson is trying to do with Rooney, Hernandez, Cleverley etc., and I don't see how it works with Sneijder.
 
However if he does arrive I will love watching him launch our title defence and have another crack at the Champions League.


The fee of 33 million has been agreed by the Clubs, it's all about Sneijders wages now.  I'm not saying he will come, I'm not sure I want him to, but it is only his wage demands stopping the transfer right now. I guess we will see, but I'm told by people who know more than me and are closer to the club than me that it will happen.
 
Well that's fair enough, you appear more in in the know than I and so I am inclined to believe you.
 
I only have British newspapers and twitter to go on.
August 11, 2011 15:18 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
nzmanu
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Whatever happens lets hope it happens quickly. ie. by the weekend. The Mirror is running a story saying it'll be sorted by the weekend (British time). Unlikely I'd say.

Cleverley is looking like a real find. Whether he has the experience and ability to nail down a spot consistently in United's midfield just yet, I'm not sure.

My line up for West Brom (remembering no Hernandez, Fletcher or Valencia):

            de Gea
Rafael   Rio    Vidic     Evra

Nani    Ando    Carrick   Young

       Berbatov     Rooney

Tough one between Berbatov and Welbeck who is playing good footy. I would be inclined to go with Berbatov
a) Because he has an understanding with Rooney
b) Potential for his attitude to be poor if he starts the first game of the season behind a young kid. Could see it as a sign of things to come.

Also interesting to note that Chicha is the NZ TAB's favourite for top scorer for the League. I've just put a range of multis on which should make the season go even slower!
August 11, 2011 15:41 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Eric Cantona
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Will be interesting to see if Welbeck or Berbatov starts, I have a funny feeling it might be Welbeck after his comments about forming a partnership with Rooney this week.  Maybe Cleverly will get the nod over Carrick, it would be nice to see the ball go forwards every now and again, Carrick has turned into a crab - can only go sideways!

Looks like the Sneijder deal may be dead after all, United refusing to budge on his wage demands.

https://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/11/manchester-united-wesley-sneijder


 
August 12, 2011 14:43 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Leggy
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As long as Carrick does not keep making the starting lineup.Never seen a midfielder give as much possession away. He is overrated.
August 12, 2011 15:21 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Eric Cantona
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Leggy wrote:
As long as Carrick does not keep making the starting lineup.Never seen a midfielder give as much possession away. He is overrated.


To be fair, Carrick was outstanding in the 07-08 season we won the Champions League, but he hasn't progressed much from there.  I think his time is nearly up at Old Trafford, and Cleverly will look to take his position at some stage this season.
August 12, 2011 15:25 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
nzmanu
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Eric Cantona wrote:

Leggy wrote:
As long as Carrick does not keep making the starting lineup.Never seen a midfielder give as much possession away. He is overrated.
To be fair, Carrick was outstanding in the 07-08 season we won the Champions League, but he hasn't progressed much from there.� I think his time is nearly up at Old Trafford, and Cleverly will look to take his position at some stage this season.
his time is nearly up

Signed a new 3 year deal at the end of last season.
August 12, 2011 15:31 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
TopLeft07
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Feck it! [re sneijder]
August 12, 2011 15:34 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Eric Cantona
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nzmanu wrote:
Eric Cantona wrote:

Leggy wrote:
As long as Carrick does not keep making the starting lineup.Never seen a midfielder give as much possession away. He is overrated.
To be fair, Carrick was outstanding in the 07-08 season we won the Champions League, but he hasn't progressed much from there.  I think his time is nearly up at Old Trafford, and Cleverly will look to take his position at some stage this season.
his time is nearly up

Signed a new 3 year deal at the end of last season.


Exactly, so would have to be sold sometime this season then, as next season he will be in his last year of contract, over 30, and have no re-sale value. 
August 12, 2011 15:35 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
nzmanu
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Eric Cantona wrote:

nzmanu wrote:
Eric Cantona wrote:

Leggy wrote:
As long as Carrick does not keep making the starting lineup.Never seen a midfielder give as much possession away. He is overrated.
To be fair, Carrick was outstanding in the 07-08 season we won the Champions League, but he hasn't progressed much from there.� I think his time is nearly up at Old Trafford, and Cleverly will look to take his position at some stage this season.
his time is nearly up

Signed a new 3 year deal at the end of last season.
Exactly, so would have to be sold sometime this season then, as next season he will be in his last year of contract, over 30, and have no re-sale value.�


And by that time Pogba will have cracked the first team! YES!
August 12, 2011 15:50 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
nzmanu
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Oh yes!

https://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Aug/ferguson-to-promote-pogba.aspx
August 13, 2011 15:02 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
nzmanu
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Looks like thats the end of Sneijder as well. SAF happy with youth prospects.
August 13, 2011 15:05 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Mycatiscold
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Poor performance by De Gea, hopefully he comes right in the next few weeks.
August 15, 2011 07:42 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
C-Diddy
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David de Gea is the new Massimo Taibi!!!
August 15, 2011 08:29 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Paulinho
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De Gea was certainly at fault for the goal, thought he bounced back from the physical stuff pretty well in the second half, long way to go for him though. Benefit of the doubt at this stage.
 
Very happy to get out of there with three points, that West Brom team is pretty useful, Tchoyi, Mulumbu, Brunt and Long will be a real handful for any team. We started really well then fell off at the back end of the first half. Anderson, Cleverley had some nice touches in the middle, Rooney was pretty good as well, lovely goal. Welbeck worked hard, didn't have the best game but I don't think Berbatov added anything extra when he came on.
 
Ashley Young worked hard and deserved his goal. Stephen Reid did a good job on him for the most part, but drifted into the middle for the goal, left Brunt alone on the left, and Young skinned him and put the ball in, which Reid got the final touch into the net.
 
Good start to the season with a lot more to come. The injuries a bit of a concern but even with Rafael, Ferdinand and Vidic missing we can still put together a pretty useful back 4, Jones was calm and very assured when he came on. Rather him than Jonny Evans that's for sure.
August 15, 2011 09:11 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
nzmanu
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I think de Gea will prove to be an excellent signing by the end of the campaign. Needs to bulk up a bit. As the commentators said, he's going to struggle when we play a team like Stoke.

Young won't be credited with the goal. Pretty sloppy and slightly lacklustre performance first up and to be fair we hadn't looked that dangerous when we regained the lead. Cleverley showed some lovely touches in the middle and I think Anderson will step up this year. Nani was hardly in the game which was disappointing. Rooney is ready for a great year and I think it'll be between him and Suarez for golden boot.
August 15, 2011 15:29 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
nzmanu
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Just to add to that: I've seen enough of Smalling at RB. Doesn't offer enough going forward and was very reluctant to cross the ball against WBA which isn't surprising. Rafael is out for 10 weeks with a dislocated shoulder, Rio is out for a month and a half, while Vidic will be fit for next weekend. So I'd go for a back four of: Fabio-Jones-Vidic-Evra. Agree Paulinho, was absolutely horrified to see Evans come on ahead of Jones.
August 15, 2011 15:37 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
El-Cholo
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de Gea is class. I will tell you that over and over again.
August 15, 2011 16:15 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Leggy
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El-Ni�o wrote:
de Gea is class. I will tell you that over and over again.


Is that 1st or 2nd?
August 15, 2011 21:17 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
ChopperNZ
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I thought Evans played well for the short period he was on and won a few good headers/tackles. For someone who is playing out of position, Smalling played well - you can't criticize him for not getting forward and crossing enough, his aim for the game would of been to defend and I thought he did so fairly well. Tchoyi caused problems for everyone not just Smalling alone.

It's good to know that when Nani isn't involved much, it means Young is and he is just as capable as creating, assisting and scoring goals, we genuinely have the best wingers in the league and they are going to terrorise defenders all season.

Cleverely slotted in well and seemed to link well with Anderson, Anderson seems to be filling that Scholes-esque role as much as he can, I noticed he was dropping very deep alot to pick the ball up off the centre-backs and bring it forward. Great work-rate from both CMS.

 Rooney busy as usual and took his goal clinically which is what we have come to expect from him - looks to be in absolutely fantastic form and we need him to stay this way for the season. At the moment I would be playing Berbatov ahead of Welbeck - I think Welbeck is an absolutely fantastic young striker but when the ball gets to him I think his head is often only in a forward moving sense of mind. Berbatov has the ability to hold the ball up a bit better and bring our wingers and midfielders into the attacking fray.

Lets not forget we still have the likes of Park, Giggs,Carrick and Valencia who are extremely capable of adding a different dimension to the game ( not so much Carrick - I have a bit of a dislike for him - don't think he fits our structure well ). So things are looking great going into the season I think we are going to get better and better as time goes.
August 15, 2011 21:29 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Arsenal
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Marquee
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El-Ni�o wrote:
de Gea is class. I will tell you that over and over again.


I like what I've seen so far.
August 15, 2011 21:52 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
nzmanu
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monkeyboy wrote:
I thought Evans played well for the short period he was on and won a few good headers/tackles. For someone who is playing out of position, Smalling played well - you can't criticize him for not getting forward and crossing enough, his aim for the game would of been to defend and I thought he did so fairly well. Tchoyi caused problems for everyone not just Smalling alone. It's good to know that when Nani isn't involved much, it means Young is and he is just as capable as creating, assisting and scoring goals, we genuinely have the best wingers in the league and they are going to terrorise defenders all season.Cleverely slotted in well and seemed to link well with Anderson, Anderson seems to be filling that Scholes-esque role as much as he can, I noticed he was dropping very deep alot to pick the ball up off the centre-backs and bring it forward. Great work-rate from both CMS.�Rooney busy as usual and took his goal clinically which is what we have come to expect from him - looks to be in absolutely fantastic form and we need him to stay this way for the season. At the moment I would be playing Berbatov ahead of Welbeck - I think Welbeck is an absolutely fantastic young striker but when the ball gets to him I think his head is often only in a forward moving sense of mind. Berbatov has the ability to hold the ball up a bit better and bring our wingers and midfielders into the attacking fray. Lets not forget we still have the likes of Park, Giggs,Carrick and Valencia who are extremely capable of adding a different dimension to the game ( not so much Carrick - I have a bit of a dislike for him - don't think he fits our structure well ). So things are looking great going into the season I think we are going to get better and better as time goes.



I think Welbeck actually held the ball up reasonably well today and tried to link up in and around the box. But agree that Berbatov should be starting until we get Chicha back. So exciting to think that we still have the likes of Chicha, Valencia, Rafael etc to come back, and Giggs, Carrick, Park waiting in the wings. And we pretty much won the league without the best of Rooney last year, and judging by his preseason and early season form, this could be his year. What a headache for Ferguson. Hmmm should I start with Vidic, Evans, Rio, Jones or Smalling? And who should I choose out of Nani, Young, Valencia and Park!
August 15, 2011 22:12 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Paulinho
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Yeah I don't think Smalling did too bad at right back... interesting that in the past (even last year) we had a lot of wing backs - Neville, Brown, O'Shea, Evra, Rafael, Fabio, yet this year we only have the three out and out wing backs. Clearly Ferguson sees Evans as a potential left back (played there late last season) and Smalling and Jones as potential right backs.
 
At some point we could end up with a Stoke-like back four of Smalling-Jones-Vidic-Evans or something similar!
August 16, 2011 08:34 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Paulinho
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Oh yes, my other observation from yesterdays game,  to Phil Neville who was in the away end, that was tremendous.
August 16, 2011 08:49 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
El-Cholo
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Leggy wrote:
El-Ni�o wrote:
de Gea is class. I will tell you that over and over again.


Is that 1st or 2nd?
 
Wtf? That's the second time. And I'm being fking serious.
August 16, 2011 09:35 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
El-Cholo
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Arsenal wrote:
El-Ni�o wrote:
de Gea is class. I will tell you that over and over again.


I like what I've seen so far.
 
Haha, me too, but I'm pretty confident that he'll come right. He is well good.
August 16, 2011 09:38 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
nzmanu
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Big game this weekend!

              de Gea

Fabio   Smalling    Jones   Evra

Nani    Anderson    Cleverley   Young

        Berbatov    Rooney

Although judging by his post-WBA comments, SAF will almost certainly start with Evans.
August 19, 2011 17:16 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Paulinho
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nzmanu wrote:
Big game this weekend!

              de Gea

Fabio   Smalling    Jones   Evra

Nani    Anderson    Cleverley   Young

        Berbatov    Rooney

Although judging by his post-WBA comments, SAF will almost certainly start with Evans.
 
Don't think you're far off... it will be Evans for Evra I think, not sure if Paddy is 100% yet. Game's not till Tuesday morning our time so I could be wrong.
 
Imagine the youngness of our squad if Evans and Welbeck were in for Evra and Berbatov! What an immensley talented young squad.
August 19, 2011 17:55 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Leggy
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Paulinho wrote:
[QUOTE=nzmanu]Big game this weekend!               de Gea Fabio   Smalling    Jones   Evra Nani    Anderson    Cleverley   Young        Berbatov    Rooney Although judging by his post-WBA comments, SAF will almost certainly start with Evans.


�

Don't think you're far off... it will be Evans for Evra I think, not sure if Paddy is 100% yet. Game's not till Tuesday morning our time so I could be wrong.

�

Imagine the youngness of our squad if Evans and Welbeck were in for Evra�and Berbatov! What an immensley talented young squad.
[/QUOTE

Evans can't play left back, he would be a nightmare.
August 19, 2011 19:13 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Eric Cantona
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Leggy wrote:
Paulinho wrote:
[QUOTE=nzmanu]Big game this weekend!               de Gea Fabio   Smalling    Jones   Evra Nani    Anderson    Cleverley   Young        Berbatov    Rooney Although judging by his post-WBA comments, SAF will almost certainly start with Evans.


�

Don't think you're far off... it will be Evans for Evra I think, not sure if Paddy is 100% yet. Game's not till Tuesday morning our time so I could be wrong.

�

Imagine the youngness of our squad if Evans and Welbeck were in for Evra�and Berbatov! What an immensley talented young squad.
[/QUOTE

Evans can't play left back, he would be a nightmare.


he can't play centre back either! I'm only joking, I quite like him, he's just had a bad 12-18 months. Remember Fergie chose to keep him over Pique so he can't be that bad
August 19, 2011 20:45 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
JarrodM
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Seen some quotes on twitter from SAF. apparently Evra is back for spurs, fletcher and valencia are back in training but won't be back this week. Hernandez is making good progress. Vidic out for 4-5 weeks but Ferdinand could be back next week for the Arsenal game. Oh and Rafael is still out for 10 weeks.

So it's changed abit since the start of the week with the vidic and ferdinand prognosis (is that the right word?) so who really knows.

and also apparently statistically speaking Evans was our 2nd best defender behind smalling when he came on at the weekend.
August 19, 2011 21:10 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
nzmanu
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"Ferguson confirmed that Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will replace the pair against Spurs."

Excellent.
August 19, 2011 22:11 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Paulinho
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Leggy wrote:
Paulinho wrote:
[QUOTE=nzmanu]Big game this weekend!               de Gea Fabio   Smalling    Jones   Evra Nani    Anderson    Cleverley   Young        Berbatov    Rooney Although judging by his post-WBA comments, SAF will almost certainly start with Evans.


 

Don't think you're far off... it will be Evans for Evra I think, not sure if Paddy is 100% yet. Game's not till Tuesday morning our time so I could be wrong.

 

Imagine the youngness of our squad if Evans and Welbeck were in for Evra and Berbatov! What an immensley talented young squad.
[/QUOTE

Evans can't play left back, he would be a nightmare.
 
 
Agree, I was thinking Smalling at RB, Evans in the middle with Fabio switching to LB.
 
Though Evans has played a bit at LB late last season, think Ferguson sees him as an option there, unfortunately.
August 20, 2011 08:40 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
kiwiMalaysia42
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Will not win the title 
August 21, 2011 15:04 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Paulinho
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kiwiMalaysia42 wrote:
Will not win the title 
 
Great contribution
August 21, 2011 15:11 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
nzmanu
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Paulinho wrote:
kiwiMalaysia42 wrote:
Will not win the title�


�

Great contribution

HAHA good from you Paulinho.
August 21, 2011 22:09 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Paulinho
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Looked pretty solid this morning against Tottenham, we were patient and the goals came towards the end.
 
Welbeck was a bit quiet until he scored and then he burst into life, and played a wonderful 15 minutes. That flick for Anderson's goal was very very sexy.
 
Cleverley didn't do quite as much as against West Brom, but was still class and put in a great ball for the opening goal. Great to see Hernandez get a few minutes at the end. Rooney, Nani and Young were all good going forward to various degrees. Great to see Paddy back as well!
 
Phil Jones was super solid, great to see. And as for De Gea, well he got the clean sheet, wasn't totally convincing but that hitout will help him big time. Van der Vaart was a tad embarrasing, trying long range shots from everywhere, don't think he put any on target.
 
Bring on Arsenal next weekend!
August 23, 2011 09:59 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
El-Cholo
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still looking a bit shaky, but better this morning. should've Twitted Defoe, the prick.
August 23, 2011 12:49 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Paulinho
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El-Ni�o wrote:
still looking a bit shaky, but better this morning. should've Twitted Defoe, the prick.
 
Yeah I think as he settles in it will all calm down and he will become a very good keeper. Once he starts commanding the area more the confidence will flow.
August 23, 2011 14:23 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
El-Cholo
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Yup, definitely. He's class. You'll be really happy with him, I'm sure of it. Just give him some time to get used to it, the defence in front him etc. He was one of the standout keepers in La Liga with one of the worst defences in front of him. It must be different for him not having to make a save every two seconds! 
 
His kicking was good today, I thought.
August 23, 2011 14:31 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
Paulinho
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His distribution is first class. Apparently that's one of the reason's they wanted him so badly. He started the move which led to Anderson's goal.
 
Not missing anything with De Gea in for van der Sar on that front.
August 23, 2011 15:04 · Edited March 18, 2021 20:50
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