Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Paul Tergat · 06-04-2010 02:43PM

baz2009 wrote: »

Anyone ever buy anything off www.tshirtsunited.com?
Thinking of getting a t-shirt or two for me birthday.

Think I have maybe 5 t-shirts from them. Very happy with em and the prices are decent

Pro. F · 06-04-2010 02:53PM

niallk wrote: »

Though I think he is a very good player, magical at times, I do think he was a bad signing, esp for the money, considering that the system Fergie has seemed to settle on doesn't suit him. I would argue that the system has been designed based on having Wayne Superman Rooney as the lone striker, and anyone trying to fill in for him would struggle. I really admire Berbatov for his professionalism and never complaining but he has been mismanaged terribly.

His signing really is strange. When the team was about to enter a big upheaval and change of style (because of Ronaldo leaving) I would have thought that we would be better off getting a forward with more flexibility to his game or someone cheaper so it wouldn't be such a waste to bench them. The only thing I can think of is that Fergie has a long term aim of returning to 442 in the big domestic and CL games.

ShiverinEskimo · 06-04-2010 02:57PM

Probably waiting Hargreaves to get fit again - he can do the defensive work of two midfielders while still being able to spray balls all over the pitch. Would re-create our opportunity to play an advanced midfielder and go 4-4-2 again.

Mitch Connor · 06-04-2010 03:02PM

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Probably waiting Hargreaves to get fit again - he can do the defensive work of two midfielders while still being able to spray balls all over the pitch. Would re-create our opportunity to play an advanced midfielder and go 4-4-2 again.

personally, I think Hargreaves wouldn't allow us to play an advanced attacking midfielder, not when most teams will be playing 5 in midfield.

I think a fully fit Hargreaves (which we may never get) alongside Fletcher would allow us to play 442 more comfortably, with two actual forwards and 2 attacking wingers.

Sully · 06-04-2010 03:08PM

Ferguson rules out risking Rooney
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that Wayne Rooney has "no chance" of playing against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Rooney sustained ankle ligament damage in United's 2-1 defeat in the first leg of the quarter-final, but reports had suggested an early return was possible.
United do have defender John O'Shea available again after his leg injury.
Bayern look set to recall winger Arjen Robben (calf), while defender Daniel van Buyten is now also fit.
United need to overcome a one-goal deficit to progress through to the semi-final stages of the competition for the third successive season.

606: DEBATE
Have your say on this story
Ferguson's side had led in Munich until late goals from Franck Ribery and Ivica Olic gave the German side a slender advantage.
Rooney was injured in the dying seconds of the game ahead of Olic's stoppage-time winner and was later ruled out for two-to-three weeks.
However, there has been speculation the in-form striker, who has scored 34 goals in all competitions for United this season, was responding well to treatment and would be rushed back in order to rescue a campaign in danger of collapse following defeats to Bayern last week and title rivals Chelsea on Saturday.
But Rooney sat out of United's open training session on Tuesday and Ferguson later confirmed that he was "not prepared to take a risk when the player is not 100% fit".
Ferguson said there was "no chance" Rooney would play but that he had made "good progress" in his recovery from injury.
He added: "The medical team have done a fantastic job but it is an ankle injury the same as any other ankle injury.
"I don't think he will be on the bench although he might talk me into it, it is a difficult one."
United's manager also said Rooney could return as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers this Sunday.
O'Shea's return is a welcome boost for Ferguson who is without defender Wes Brown.
The 28-year-old has not played since suffering a dead-leg in the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 World Cup play-off defeat to France in November.

More talk on Rooney availability. Whats Hargreaves story these days? I thought he was closer to a return?

keane2097 · 06-04-2010 03:13PM

John O'Shea fit = the nuts

Pro. F · 06-04-2010 03:19PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

personally, I think Hargreaves wouldn't allow us to play an advanced attacking midfielder, not when most teams will be playing 5 in midfield.

I think a fully fit Hargreaves (which we may never get) alongside Fletcher would allow us to play 442 more comfortably, with two actual forwards and 2 attacking wingers.

I think Hargreaves and Fletch are too similar to play beside each other in a 442. Both have great energy and good passing and goal threat but they both lack close control. They would struggle to hold onto possession if the game was tight imho.

flahavaj · 06-04-2010 03:38PM

keane2097 wrote: »

John O'Shea fit = the nuts

+1. God is back. Everything is gonna be OK.

Bukman13 · 06-04-2010 03:50PM

flahavaj wrote: »

+1. God is back. Everything is gonna be OK.

It was all part of the plan

, Ferguson has been keeping Josh fresh for the past 6months. So that he would be ready to replace Rooney up front if he were to get injured

.

SilverFox261 · 06-04-2010 04:07PM

Pro. F wrote: »

His signing really is strange. When the team was about to enter a big upheaval and change of style (because of Ronaldo leaving) I would have thought that we would be better off getting a forward with more flexibility to his game or someone cheaper so it wouldn't be such a waste to bench them. The only thing I can think of is that Fergie has a long term aim of returning to 442 in the big domestic and CL games.

I don't think it was ever Fergie's plan to make the 4-5-1 european formation his formation of choice in the league. I think it has been adopted in the league out of necessity because United currently do not have a combination of 2 minfielders that can control the centre of the field and allow Fergie to field 2 strikers.

Considering that Hargreaves has been out all season even though he was expected back around November, Scholes and Giggs being increasingly unable to play more than once a week, and that Carrick and Anderson (before he got injured) have under performed for pretty much the entire season, i don't think United had a much of choice other than to play up front.

Pro. F · 06-04-2010 04:52PM

SilverFox261 wrote: »

I don't think it was ever Fergie's plan to make the 4-5-1 european formation his formation of choice in the league. I think it has been adopted in the league out of necessity because United currently do not have a combination of 2 minfielders that can control the centre of the field and allow Fergie to field 2 strikers.

Considering that Hargreaves has been out all season even though he was expected back around November, Scholes and Giggs being increasingly unable to play more than once a week, and that Carrick and Anderson (before he got injured) have under performed for pretty much the entire season, i don't think United had a much of choice other than to play up front.

Yep. Whatever about all the particular details, which everyone will have a different opinion on, it does seem like lots of different factors have pushed us towards using the 451 so much now.

It still leaves the question, what was Fergie's plan for Berbatov in European games? Bench him or go 442 there too?

SilverFox261 · 06-04-2010 05:14PM

Pro. F wrote: »

It still leaves the question, what was Fergie's plan for Berbatov in European games? Bench him or go 442 there too?

The only way i could see Berba and Rooney playing in the same team in Europe is to put Rooney out left like he did last season and put Berba through the centre. But I don't think it was ever intended to play both of them together in the Champions League

Headshot · 06-04-2010 09:46PM

you know what, I want utd to get another crack at barca in the final

Spud83 · 06-04-2010 09:51PM

Headshot wrote: »

you know what, I want utd to get another crack at barca in the final

Tell ya what. If we to through tomorrow I wouldnt mind inter knocking them out at all. If we don't go through then I hope they go all the way.

Mitch Connor · 06-04-2010 09:52PM

Spud83 wrote: »

Tell ya what. If we to through tomorrow I wouldnt mind inter knocking them out at all. If we don't go through then I hope they go all the way.

this, this, all the freaking way this.

MagicMarker · 06-04-2010 09:56PM

Headshot wrote: »

you know what, I want utd to get another crack at barca in the final

I'll be happy to get to the semi's

Headshot · 06-04-2010 09:57PM

of course inter would be my first choice but wouldnt ya love revenge.

I certainly would love it, still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

MagicMarker wrote: »

I'll be happy to get to the semi's

im getting far ahead of myself alright.

Bukman13 · 06-04-2010 09:58PM

Spud83 wrote: »

Tell ya what. If we to through tomorrow I wouldnt mind inter knocking them out at all. If we don't go through then I hope they go all the way.

I wouldn't put it past Jose to knock them out. Arsenal's style played right into the hands of Barca, you can't out pass Barca simple, they have been playing the system since they've been 12years old. it was almost an impossible ask.

Inter will play like Chelsea did last season, congest midfield and be physical. Barca are obviously still favourites but Inter have a good chance imo.

Vanbis · 06-04-2010 10:00PM

Headshot wrote: »

I certainly would love it, still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I'd love for us to play Barca again, like yourself revenge would be sweet plus i'm sure SAF has already thought the same himself.

I'm not sure if will beat Bayern tomorrow evening.

ShiverinEskimo · 06-04-2010 10:02PM

If United go through I sincerely hope Inter deny Barca the chance to be the first team to retain the Champs League, at their hated rival's stadium, against the team they hockeyed the previous year.

No, I reckon I'm an Inter fan for the next few weeks or so thank you very much.

Headshot · 06-04-2010 10:02PM

Vanbis wrote: »

I'm not sure if will beat Bayern tomorrow evening.

same as myself, think it depends on the team saf picks

Mitch Connor · 06-04-2010 10:08PM

Headshot wrote: »

same as myself, think it depends on the team saf picks

think it depends more on the performance of the actual players.

Every single one of our midfielders needs to up their game, a lot, from the last two games. If they don't, our forward players, whoever they may be, won't get into the game regardless, and our defense will be overrun.

Headshot · 06-04-2010 10:12PM

where did I hear that before....

Sir Alex Ferguson has started his search to sign fresh faces next summer but the Manchester United manager has ruled out a summer spending spree at Old Trafford.

Having banked £80million from the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid last year Ferguson has funds to play with in the close season, despite reports to contrary that the Glazer owners will tighten the club's purse strings due to the enormous debt.

United already have an £8m agreement to sign Fulham defender Chris Smalling and have been linked with a multi-million move for Benfica's Argentine star Angle Di Maria.

But Ferguson insists he will not pay over the odds for any of his potential targets and that only a few new recruits are necessary to add to his trophy-chasing squad.

'No wholesale buying is needed here as we have a very good squad that just needs tweaking here and there,' Ferguson told the the club’s official magazine Inside United.

'Looking at potential squad additions is an ongoing process – it’s not just confined to a certain time of year – although we obviously don’t reveal our plans.

'We have some ideas at the moment but not many players will be joining the club. But in any case, I think the transfer market prices have been terribly inflated over the last year'.

Ferguson also revealed that he intends to visit South Africa this summer to take in both the World Cup semi-final and Final in Johannesburg.

And the enthused Scot believes it will be Brazil entertaining the showpiece match.

I’m looking forward to it,' he said. 'I think Brazil will be there and it’s always good to have them in the final.'

nullzero · 07-04-2010 12:02AM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

think it depends more on the performance of the actual players.

Every single one of our midfielders needs to up their game, a lot, from the last two games. If they don't, our forward players, whoever they may be, won't get into the game regardless, and our defense will be overrun.

I'm surprised that we were so poor on saturday after the Bayern game on Tuesday.
I'll be really surprised if it's repeated tomorrow night.
The last two games United have played really highlight the importance of a strong midfield. If you're not working properly in the middle the whole team suffers. Look at Barca tonight as they always do, running the game fron the centre of the park, that's what you need in a top side and Unied of late have been lacking that in a big way.:mad:

Bukman13 · 07-04-2010 01:14AM

Referee Mike Dean demoted after Manchester United v Chelsea errors

Mike Dean has been dropped from refereeing duties in the Premier League following erratic displays.

The Premier League referee Mike Dean has been demoted to the Championship this weekend, as a punishment for his erratic display in Manchester United's 2-1 defeat by Chelsea at Old Trafford last Saturday.

Simon Beck, an assistant referee in the same match, will join him in the second tier after failing to raise his flag when Didier Drogba was clearly offside for Chelsea's second goal. The pair will take charge of Bristol City's home game against Swansea on Saturday.

After the United vs Chelsea match the two officials were criticised by Sir Alex Ferguson for their "poor, poor performance". United's manager was also unsparing in his match report to the Premier League. However, Professional Game Match Officials Limited decided the mistakes were serious enough to demote Dean and Beck without any interference from Old Trafford.

Beck has not been informed when he will next be involved in a Premier League match and is missing from the list for next week's midweek fixtures. Dean, a member of the elite group of Fifa referees since 2002, will be the fourth official for Wigan Athletic's home game against Portsmouth on Wednesday 14 April.

It follows Dean's failure to award penalties for United, when Yuri Zhirkov tripped Park Ji-sung, and Chelsea, when Gary Neville barged into Nicolas Anelka. The 41-year-old also allowed Federico Macheda's goal to stand, rather than awarding a handball against the teenager.

Dean's appointment for such an important game had come under scrutiny because of his performance in Burnley's 1-0 defeat by Blackburn Rovers the previous weekend.

Brian Laws, the Burnley manager, said Dean had been "conned" into awarding a match-winning penalty when Martin Olsson went to ground despite there being no contact from the goalkeeper, Brian Jensen. Olsson has since admitted that he went into the game aware of Dean's reputation for awarding penalties.

Laws said Dean's subsequent appointment to the biggest match of the Premier League season to date was "mad".

After the loss to Chelsea, Ferguson said: "When I saw it was Mike Dean I did worry, I have to say."

Guardian

His performance last week in the Rovers v Burnley was a disgrace, he followed it up on Sat with another. Why did he get the game in the first place?

07-04-2010 01:18AM

Headshot wrote: »

where did I hear that before....

I would love to see Fergie go for Higuain during the Summer, he appears to be a bit on their bad side despite being their 2nd best player this season.

Also Bojan hasn't been getting many games at Barca with Pedro coming through, doubt any move will be made for him but he really is a fantastic player.

Di Maria would be great but with Nani and Val I think the team are set on the wings and needs strengthening up front and in CM. Wonder if Fergie may go back to Sporting and pick up Veloso or even Joao Moutinho who would both be good signings or go for that Witsel scumbag at Standard...

Bukman13 · 07-04-2010 01:29AM

Liam O wrote: »

I would love to see Fergie go for Higuain during the Summer, he appears to be a bit on their bad side despite being their 2nd best player this season.

Also Bojan hasn't been getting many games at Barca with Pedro coming through, doubt any move will be made for him but he really is a fantastic player.

Di Maria would be great but with Nani and Val I think the team are set on the wings and needs strengthening up front and in CM. Wonder if Fergie may go back to Sporting and pick up Veloso or even Joao Moutinho who would both be good signings or go for that Witsel scumbag at Standard...

I think an AM should be the piority next season, if I could choose it would be Hamsik, he is only 22 and looks class whenever I've seen him, scores plenty of goals and is creative.

Only problem would be how quick he would adapt to both United and the Prem. He currently plays for Napoli, one of the only sides playing a 3-4-2-1 formation consistantly. But Slovakia play 4-4-2ish so it may not cause too much of a problem. Also I'd say he would cost a fair whack.

redout · 07-04-2010 01:29AM

Premiership referee Mike Dean has been demoted from the Premier League following high profile howlers that could cost Manchester United the title.

The incompetent referee – who supports Liverpool – made another inept performance in the game between Manchester United and Chelsea this weekend, allowing Chelsea to move into pole position in the race for the Premier League crown, and the FA have finally seen fit to punish his incompetence by sending him to the Championship.

It wasn’t his first high profile error of late either. He controversially awarded a penalty to Blackburn Rovers after Martin Olsson went to ground in the Burnley box. Olsson later admitted to diving and said that he was aware of Dean’s penchant to give penalties at the first available opportunity.
He is joined in the Championship by linesman Simon Beck. Another incompetent official who failed to spot Didier Drogba standing two yards offside and allowing him to score Chelsea’s winning goal.

Is it too little too late from the FA? Should Dean have been demoted in the previous week for awarding the penalty against Burnley? And why was a referee with a track record of high profile errors selected to take charge of arguably the most important game of the season?

A smidgen of justice for their incompetent performance.

redout · 07-04-2010 01:30AM

A big performance will be required against Bayern.

Robben seems certain to start after a couple of days training.

I think Neville needs to be benched as I can see Ribery getting the better of him again which will require doubling up.

Not confident of United winning this game unless there is a major change in performance.

3hn2givr7mx1sc · 07-04-2010 01:35AM

My God I really want SAF to get a decent creative CM.:(

Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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