They're defence is so unbelievably baaaaad. Although I have a brilliant solution.

First, I rate their "star defenders"

Gary Neville Bollocks. Not worthy of getting any playing time at a top team like Man Ure.

Phil Neville Worse than Gary!!!

Jaap Stam Way past his prime. Struggles to even get a starting position in Man Ure's poor defence

Ronny Johnsen Crap.

Wes Brown Fairly good youngster who scores too many own goals.

Mikael Silvestre The best defender on the team. A very promising youngster.

Dennis Irwin Experienced defender. Way past it though.

My Suggestions:

Stephane Henchoz is a real unsung hero at Liverpool. While he likes playing alongside Hyypia at Liverpool, Houllier is constantly trying to bring in a new partner for Hyypia. When Houllier manages to sign Tihinen, Man Utd should make a bid. He's too good to be sitting on the bench.

They should also bring in Phillipe Mexes. Mexes is one of the best young defenders in the world. He'll develop into a world class player.

Got it Fergie?

I think instead of buying Veron Man U should of invested in a really good defender. Someone who can lead the defence, someone like Nesta, but who would want to go to Man U.

I think they could do with relegating Barthez to the bench after his calamities against Blackburn. I read in the press that Fergie was seething with Barthez for trying to dribble out of trouble rather that booting the ball upfield.

To be honest I don't blame him because it if wasn't for the inadequacy of Corrado Grabbi, Barthez would have looked very red faced indeed. But luckily for him the new striker f*cked up on chance and the ref came to Barthez's rescue by disallowing a goal (though it was a harsh decision). Maybe Fergie could try playing his latest GK signing and putting Barthez in defence to see how he likes it :D

But the defence - they were awful, as Fulham and Blackburn exposed in their matches. Stam was dropped apparently about stuff in his autobiography.

The Neville bruvs have always been ****, Johnsen has gone poor and Irwin is too old. Silvestre might be getting better but many people aren't convinced after his poor start and of course Wes Own Goal Brown...

I would say they'd need a new defence, but as it would be nice to see someone else win the league let's hope they keep the cash.

Well, I'll figure that they were comfotable with their defense this offseason; if they weren't, they would be in the race for Sol Campbell. And how much money would they spend on signing him? not much, considering that he was a free-agent.

as for Veron -- I don't think he was what Manu needed.. A defeder was what Manu needed -- everybody knows that. But you won't buy Nesta for the price you bought Veron -- he is way too baluable to Lazio as 1. he is one of the best defenders in the world 2. he is fairly young at 25 3. he is Italian 4. he is alreaady the captain of Lazio...

As for Silvestre -- I never liked him. It just happened that when I seen Manu games, he always sucked..

Yeah - I've never rated Silvestre as a defender. He almost went to Liverpool but he wasn't prepared to play "out of position" for them. So he went to United, where his performances have made their rivals think they were glad not to part the cash for him.

Some United fans told me before that Silvestre is better upfront than in defence. Maybe he is, but the hard fact is that United need a decent defender - not that all us neutrals would like to see that of course.

Verón was one midfield player too many in the United ranks. They have far too many midfielders who are capable of playing in the first XI so why did they get him?

The problem is United are too tight with the cash - they make enough money each year from merchandise and setting up useless deals with non-football teams to try and form alliances (or should I say continued "bragging"), but if that is the case they should be able to afford anyone...

Russian Rocket - were you the one who used to talk about my local team. If so you're in shock cos they're absolutely f*cking **** - already 10 goals conceded in 3 games, 1 point and out of the League Cup. Even the village pub team I sometimes play for are better!!!

That damn Fergusen didn't put Stam in because of his book. It's just so obvious. I mean, what was the last time that Stam didn't play(without the injuries and being banned). He is definently the best defender in the world. Ok, he isn't thát good in giving passes and making space, but he could win a duel with Shaquille O'neal :D
I think if Stam doesn't play any more for like 6 or 7 matches, he'll go away. I hope he will go back to PSV ;)

ok ManUre have had a bad start by their standards...
But when you say that Stam is way past his time, you're being really unrealistic... he's United's best defender, ok he's had a bad start to the new season but it's no reason to ring the alarm bells, he's still very much ManUre's main man.
Whereas Silvestre is defensive crap .. highly overrated . Sure he's good at playing on the ball but he couldn't defend to save his life. Not worth a Denis Irwin not even the Current one in my vote.

One point where I do agree, is about Mexes ... he's pure gold that youngster.
He's the next Laurent Blanc only 10 times better already.
But I think he'll probably prefer going to Newcastle :D :D :p :p :D

Originally posted by ShearerM4:
<STRONG>ok ManUre have had a bad start by their standards...
But when you say that Stam is way past his time, you're being really unrealistic... he's United's best defender, ok he's had a bad start to the new season but it's no reason to ring the alarm bells, he's still very much ManUre's main man.
Whereas Silvestre is defensive crap .. highly overrated . Sure he's good at playing on the ball but he couldn't defend to save his life. Not worth a Denis Irwin not even the Current one in my vote.

One point where I do agree, is about Mexes ... he's pure gold that youngster.
He's the next Laurent Blanc only 10 times better already.
But I think he'll probably prefer going to Newcastle :D :D :p :p :D</STRONG>

Mexes to Newcastle? You must be joking.

Distin wants to join Laurent Robert though but they're both crap.

Scum - yep, Wrexham.. And, I do occasionally check theirs (and other Welsh clubs) scores and red-passion.com too.. Heh, there an easy explanation for Wrexham's poor performance that is the loss of some key players. Or the lack of players coming in. That's what happens with the teams that that have limited budget.. But, to be fair, Wrexham always starts off poorly.

Nistelrooy: So if Stam would join PSV, who would be out of PSV? Nikiforov? Well, I agree he had a fatal mistake last game that I watched, but he was awesome last year and a few times had been a captain. So, please... But, on the other hand, I wouldn't mind him returining to Russia. Everybody wants to return nowadays, it seems.

I bet Man U will still run away with the league somehow though......

didn't I say Stam would leave? He just left to Lazio Roma.

[ 08-25-2001: Message edited by: van Nistelrooy ]

i must agreed that sir alex is out of his mind if he let stam go... he is definitely united best defender.. they have already struggle to find a good partner for stam and yet now they want to get rid of him... no a good idea... if he go then i will say that this may be the beginning of man u downfall for this season...