Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

SlickRic · 05-03-2010 01:13PM

JimsAlterEgo wrote: »

Hhe didn't miss one training session all season and according to him its his 1st hamstring injury in 5 years but don't let the facts get in the way of your bitterness.

lol.

i don't like him at Utd, because i consider him a Liverpool great. i'm in no way bitter about it. he makes his own decisions, and Man Utd, at that stage of his career, was a no-brainer of the highest order. good luck to him.

he's prone to injury. get over it. you've done well out of him so far. just because i'm of the opinion you won't ever get consistency out of him over a sustained period ever again, also does not make me bitter.

once again, lol. and i never use 'lol'.

jaykay74 · 05-03-2010 01:17PM

If he is on a pay as you play I don't see the downside for Utd once Fergie thinks he is a good enough option as a sub when fit. If Fergie doesn't think that then he will be let go.

If he doesn't cost much to keep around next season then I am happy enough with it. Don't depend on the guy obviously. Quality subs cost money which Utd don't have. Also people are generally not willing to sit on the bench and I guess at this stage Owen will be happy to sit around and take whatever small chances come his way.

everdead.ie · 05-03-2010 01:22PM

owen out for the season

http://www.skysports.com/football/world-cup-2010/story/0,27032,12098_6003813,00.html

Michael Owen has been ruled out for the rest of the season, ending any slender hopes he had of making England's World Cup squad.
The Manchester United striker suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday's Carling Cup final victory over Aston Villa.
Owen was surprisingly handed a starting role ahead of in-form Wayne Rooney at Wembley and vindicated Sir Alex Ferguson's decision by scoring a well-taken equaliser.
But the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle forward pulled up during the first half on the heavy pitch and limped out of the action to be replaced by Rooney, with the substitute heading the winner in the second half.
Scans have now revealed that the hamstring problem sustained by the 30-year-old will keep him out of action for the remainder of the campaign and he will undergo an operation on Monday.
Owen was always a long-shot to secure a place in England manager Fabio Capello's squad having been regularly overlooked since the Italian took charge.
But his return of 40 goals from 89 international appearances ensured that the debate over his inclusion for the tournament in South Africa would not go away.
Capello's policy of selecting players who were in action regularly and in form counted against Owen, who has struggled for regular starts at Old Trafford since his arrival on a free transfer in the summer.
Terrible blow

And this latest setback means that the striker, who was an integral part of England's forward line in the past three World Cup finals, will not be involved in a fourth.
"It's a bad blow - he's out for the season," Ferguson said. "Unfortunately it's more serious than we thought. He will be operated on on Monday morning.
"It's a terrible blow for the lad and is disappointing news for us too.
"He has never missed a training session all season.
"I think the heavy pitch at Wembley on Sunday made some contribution to it but really it is just bad luck."
Owen has made 31 appearances for the Red Devils this season, scoring nine goals from 11 starts, with 20 of his outings coming from the bench.
Determined

Ferguson must now plan without the experienced frontman as he targets further glory in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
Although Owen did not mention the World Cup, he is now looking forward to the start of next season.
"Unfortunately the specialist says I will miss the end of the season," said Owen.
"I have loved every minute of my first campaign with Manchester United and have already enjoyed some memorable moments.
"I am determined to come back at the start of next season in peak condition."

_blank_ · 05-03-2010 01:23PM

Three hours ago called for you, it wants it's post back

everdead.ie · 05-03-2010 01:24PM

Des wrote: »

Three hours ago called for you, it wants it's post back

There's no blush smiley so i'm going to just sit quiet in the corner

Mars Bar · 05-03-2010 01:34PM

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Love it. Any smaller versions?

Didn't see any smaller versions, sorry.

_blank_ · 05-03-2010 01:38PM

mars bar wrote: »

Didn't see any smaller versions, sorry.

Here are some re-sized images

The last two should be suitable for sigs

Mars Bar · 05-03-2010 01:42PM

Des wrote: »

Here are some re-sized images

The last two should be suitable for sigs

Deadly, thanks!

Gone Drinking · 05-03-2010 02:01PM

Love this response from a United fan, to a liverpool fan. Liverpool fan is glad Rafa didn't make a move for Owen, because he's injured again now. (From F365)

"well lazyboy- fact is united took him for free, got 6 months out of him. he scored almost as many goals as liverpool did in the champions league, came off the bench to secure 3 vital points against city, hattrick at the german champions, and helped himself to something that hasnt been seen at anfield in many a year- a winners medal. (scoring a number of goals en route, and in the final)

obviously its disappointing but im glad we signed him. "

deisedevil · 05-03-2010 02:04PM

Gone Drinking wrote: »

Love this response from a United fan, to a liverpool fan. Liverpool fan is glad Rafa didn't make a move for Owen, because he's injured again now. (From F365)

Excellent! Love it.

flahavaj · 05-03-2010 02:16PM

I genuinely don't think that it for Owen career wise. I'd have no problem with having him as 3rd choice striker in a systen where United play 1 up front next season. His contribution was limited this season but significant nonetheless, for the City goal alone he was worth it. Even having him around the training ground will be of benefit to young strikers like Kiko and Diouf.

If it is the end of his career at United, then I think both parties did more than OK out of the deal and good luck to him in the future.

Spud83 · 05-03-2010 02:43PM

Link

SIXTY super-rich investors have pledged up to £1.5bn in their bid to seize control of Manchester United.

Although the Glazer family have insisted that the Premier League champions are not for sale, the leaders of the Red Knights, the group of leading City financiers behind the move, will today sift through a rich list of applicants ready to back a buyout.

"We thought we had 40 investors -- well, it is already 60," one of the Knights said last night.

The strength of the bid will become clear later today when Jim O'Neill, head of global economic research at Goldman Sachs and a lifelong United supporter, and his team analyse the offers on the table.

The Red Knights believe the club is worth about £1bn, while the Glazers' valuation -- which they insist does not equate to an asking price -- is approximately £1.2bn.

David Gill, the United chief executive, dismissed the Red Knights out of hand this week, describing their takeover plan as unworkable. But anger at the massive debts run up by the Glazers that has rippled through the Old Trafford stands is now making waves in boardrooms as it appears that leading investors as well as fans are rallying behind the Knights.

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST), which is campaigning to oust the Glazers, said last night that membership was on target for 110,000 -- more than doubling in a day since the Red Knights' plan emerged on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Premier League clubs have rejected a proposal to decide the fourth Champions League place with a play-off. (© The Times, London)

From the times in London but haven't heard it mentioned elsewhere. Sounds to be good to be true that they have found 60 investors within a matter of days. Still I like the way the story is gathering pace.

Boggles · 05-03-2010 02:48PM

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

Link

From the times in London but haven't heard it mentioned elsewhere. Sounds to be good to be true that they have found 60 investors within a matter of days. Still I like the way the story is gathering pace.

Not really suprising to be honest, the Glaziers found over a 100 that were willing to put millions into the bond.

Like I said before United are unique, they are the biggest club in the world that can be purchased.

United are very much a Mona Lisa, a one off.

If the yanks make over half a billion in profit over this deal, it will be some piece of business.

_blank_ · 05-03-2010 02:48PM

Who says the Glazers will sell though, they can't be forced to.

Say if you had a thing that I wanted to buy from you, but you didn't want to sell it to me, it wouldn't matter if I offered you one pound, or one trillion pounds, if you didn't want to sell, you could just keep on saying no, nope, no way, naw, nah, noooo, no, not selling.

There is nothing I could do to make you sell that thing to me.

Also, they don't have to sell to these Red Knights.

If a rival bid came in from Blue Knights, or Alanmurphy & Boggles Inc, they could sell to them, if they so wished

Spud83 · 05-03-2010 02:53PM

Boggles wrote: »

Not really suprising to be honest, the Glaziers found over a 100 that were willing to put millions into the bond.

Like I said before United are unique, they are the biggest club in the world that can be purchased.

United are very much a Mona Lisa, a one off.

If the yanks make over half a billion in profit over this deal, it will be some piece of business.

I made the same point about the number of over subscribers for the bond issue somewhere else (;)), so I did think it would be possible to find investors but to get that many that fasts seems odd. Although a large chunk of them could be people who missed out on the bonds.

Des wrote: »

Who says the Glazers will sell though, they can't be forced to.

Say if you had a thing that I wanted to buy from you, but you didn't want to sell it to me, it wouldn't matter if I offered you one pound, or one trillion pounds, if you didn't want to sell, you could just keep on saying no, nope, no way, naw, nah, noooo, no, not selling.

There is nothing I could do to make you sell that thing to me.

The yanks are after profit Des. Not some kind of lasting legacy. If they are offered profit there is a chance they could sell up.

Also the are other ways to put pressure on them, the investors have talked about buying up the bonds to get some leeway over the Glaziers that way.

The fans can continue to put pressure on them.

Also revenue could fall this year if we fail to win the league, or get the final of the CL. Now I obviously don't want either of those things to happen but it is a possibility.

Headshot · 05-03-2010 02:57PM

theres a good artical in the telegraph on why the glazers will sell, im on the mobile so i cant link it

mike65 · 05-03-2010 02:57PM

A few bumps in the Red Knights road

Mitch Connor · 05-03-2010 02:59PM

It is not that many in a few days. the red knights thing has been going on for a good few weeks at this point, maybe a couple of months, so it isn't that sixty people have joined since the meeting the other night. The press kept banging on about the meeting being a first step. It wasn't, from what I have read it wasn't even the first meeting.

Spud83 · 05-03-2010 03:02PM

mike65 wrote: »

A few bumps in the Red Knights road

Doesn't seem that big a bump. The guy is probably set up for life financially, so maybe taking on something as personal interest full time would suit him better.

If it doesn't work out I'm sure he would find another job.

Spud83 · 05-03-2010 03:04PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

It is not that many in a few days. the red knights thing has been going on for a good few weeks at this point, maybe a couple of months, so it isn't that sixty people have joined since the meeting the other night. The press kept banging on about the meeting being a first step. It wasn't, from what I have read it wasn't even the first meeting.

Fair enough, everything had been really rumors until this week. This week was the first time they confirmed there existence in public.

The more people willing to invest the better. More chance of finding people willing to give us "free money".

Spud83 · 05-03-2010 03:05PM

Headshot wrote: »

theres a good artical in the telegraph on why the glazers will sell, im on the mobile so i cant link it

This it

Spud83 · 05-03-2010 03:06PM

I really am posting today too.

Mitch Connor · 05-03-2010 03:09PM

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

Fair enough, everything had been really rumors until this week. This week was the first time they confirmed there existence in public.

The more people willing to invest the better. More chance of finding people willing to give us "free money".

i still reckon it will fall down when it comes to supporter involvement. I think they will look to the supporters to put forward a substantial amount, and I am not sure how many fans you could count on to put their money where their mouth is.

Just look at this:

MUST Statement
There is naturally uncertainty about the Red Knights but no supporter is being asked to make any decision at this stage about support or involvement and that applies to MUST too.

MUST is working very closely with the Red Knights and a relationship of trust and mutual respect has been established. However MUST will only support a proposal which we believe is good for Manchester United Football Club and good for the supporters.

There is a flexible structure under consideration (it has to be as there are crucial unknowns in terms of price and supporter involvement) so nothing is set in stone and all options remain under consideration.

This isn't about supporters helping the Red Knights to buy the club. It is actually the other way around with the Red Knights providing the essential financial cornerstone that gives supporters the opportunity to share in ownership of the club if they choose to do so. They have to actively make that choice though.The larger the supporter participation the smaller that cornerstone needs to be.

Currently there is a tremendous opportunity for supporters to shape the thinking and future structure. If they want to be part of that process they first have to join the campaign at Manchester United Supporters Trust and then they can have a voice and influence the outcome.

If they choose not to then they can hardly complain afterwards.

The intention is to provide the option to every United supporter to own a part of their club. Whether we choose to take that option is up to us as individuals but the first stage is building a huge Red Network to allow us to communicate.

If the millions of supporters around the world choose to participate they could hold a significant stake - even a majority is possible. If they choose not to we all may regret this for many years to come.

I don't see millions of fans putting their money where there mouth is. It would be a nice ideal, but i just don't think it will happen, especially if MUST are talking about a majority stake! That is £600million or more.

Boggles · 05-03-2010 03:14PM

True. How many fans would be willing to put a 100 pounds into the club?

Maybe 60000-80000??

Spud83 · 05-03-2010 03:19PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

i still reckon it will fall down when it comes to supporter involvement. I think they will look to the supporters to put forward a substantial amount, and I am not sure how many fans you could count on to put their money where their mouth is.

Just look at this:

I don't see millions of fans putting their money where there mouth is. It would be a nice ideal, but i just don't think it will happen, especially if MUST are talking about a majority stake! That is £600million or more.

Completely agree fan ownership is just out of the question IMO, but can remain a long term goal. I just don't see the fans being able to raise the sort of cash being talked.

The important thing though, is not to get hung up on fan ownership. Having MUST there, and in communication with the red knights will hopefully mean we get a clearer picture of what is happening.

If its just the same kind of takeover, with the same kind of levels of debt I don't think MUST would support that.

The most important thing is getting United back on a sound, sustainable, financial plan.

Jazzy · 05-03-2010 03:21PM

i knew there was a good reason liverpool and madrid let him go so easily and that newcastle were the only one interested in him. theres been something up with owen for a long time. good thing no money was paid for him and his wages arent that much. feel sorry for the lad, but you know what they say... horses for courses

Mitch Connor · 05-03-2010 03:21PM

Boggles wrote: »

True. How many fans would be willing to put a 100 pounds into the club?

Maybe 60000-80000??

honestly, I couldn't even begin to estimate that figure to be honest.I know I would put a £100 in, but I couldn't begin to guess how many other united fans would. I think it would be a substantial number (in real terms) but a 100 a pop you are looking for between 2 and 6 million (to raise between 200 and 600 million pounds) and I honestly don't think that is realistic. Of course you would get people willing to pay in more, but i would surprised if that sort of figure could be raised by the fans, or even close to it, to be honest. I would certainly be surprised if it could be raised quickly enough to form part of a bid.

Skud · 05-03-2010 03:22PM

Gill must have got some massive pay increase off the glazers. I mean to bad mouth a potential buyer of the club is not a good idea. Thought he was smarter than that.

Also, I dont think Owens utd career is over. Think he will still be with us next season unless we splash really big.

Boggles · 05-03-2010 03:26PM

Skud wrote: »

Gill must have got some massive pay increase off the glazers. I mean to bad mouth a potential buyer of the club is not a good idea. Thought he was smarter than that.

In fairness the Glaziers employ him, he will say what he is told.

Mitch Connor · 05-03-2010 03:27PM

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

Completely agree fan ownership is just out of the question IMO, but can remain a long term goal. I just don't see the fans being able to raise the sort of cash being talked.

The important thing though, is not to get hung up on fan ownership. Having MUST there, and in communication with the red knights will hopefully mean we get a clearer picture of what is happening.

If its just the same kind of takeover, with the same kind of levels of debt I don't think MUST would support that.

The most important thing is getting United back on a sound, sustainable, financial plan.

I agree. if the Red Knights managed the takeover, and their goals and methods were as some portray them (took a back seat, didn't plunge further debt on the club - basically the perfect takeover) then great, obviously. I just get the feeling that their takeover attempt will be contingent on the supports being involved financially to a rather significant amount, and I think that is where it could all fall apart.

I would also be uneasy, at this stage, with giving money to them for their bid - I would want to know a lot more about their intentions, plans and what kind of say the fans would have (and how it would be represented). Giving money to people to buy 'our' club is basically what we are and have been doing with the Glazers. I wouldn't want to be jumping into bed with the Red Knights if it is basically the same thing, just dressed differently.

Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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