Manchester United F.C Thread [2009/2010]

[Zakov]

I'm just wondering what would happen if Rooney was fit for those three matches.

And I'm wondering how we would've done if we had Essien OR Ashley Cole.

Seriously, there's no point in reflecting on what might have been. It's been tough for almost every team as far as injuries go. But at the tail end of the season, it depends on the personnel available for each team to get their wanted results.

 

[kp41]

Well, we need more than one miracle to win the league title but we can't win it every year.

I don't want to take anything away from Chelsea but series of incidents including important injuries, bad calls (I never saw this much before) and bad luck took both EPL and UCL away from us. But these things are part of the game and can happen to any team, so poor us.

I'm just wondering what would happen if Rooney was fit for those three matches.

I hope our player defend our precious club well during next couple of games and especially against bitters (they are on their best form, aren't they).

No matter what happens, we are always United.

And I'm wondering how we would've done if we had Essien OR Ashley Cole.

Seriously, there's no point in reflecting on what might have been. It's been tough for almost every team as far as injuries go. But at the tail end of the season, it depends on the personnel available for each team to get their wanted results.

Did you read that part?

 

[pede54]

Ade is dead right. Through the season just about every team gets shafted by refs and linesmen. Even an offside given that wasn't offside can influence the result, and we see that so often now that we don't even bother to mention it any more.

There are so many wrong decisions made in most games, that no one team can say that the rub of the green always goes against them. Over a season we all get shafted at one point or another, but again over a season we all get decisions that go our way even when we know that they are wrong decisions.

The difference is that when it goes our way WE DO NOT COMPLAIN do we?

Help mate, I could give you so many examples of how United gained points over past seasons, to secure the EPL titles and cup games, that it would take me years to compile the statistics. What I will say is this.

Ronaldo = dive = free kick/penalty = goal.

How many times did the rest of us have to put up with that for the last couple of seasons? Just how many of his goals for United, resulted from free kicks and penalties that he dived for ?

We could all pick each other to pieces over this stuff for eternity, but it just aint worth it because we can't change the way things are. Only FIFA, UEFA and the FA can do that, but they won't.

 

[adedawson]

I'm not blaming anything on our injuries as I mentioned before its part of the game. But we have had an absolute torrid season with it. I cant think of one worse.

Remember earlier in the season when the team was written off it was that bad and we were behind. All our back 5 out, defenders and goal keeper.

All in we have had a massive 25 first team players injured at some point and that's without repeating people who have had repeated injuries. 51 injuries if you count all injuries as they happened. 51 isnt all that bad when spread out over the year, it was the pattern in which they came for us. Like losing the back line up etc. We were forced to play youngsters and players out of position.

What's interesting is that on a whole we carried on getting the results, until recently. Fine display by the team, they kept on fighting and its not exactly over yet. There still a tiny glimmer of hope, but its Chelsea's to lose at this point.

*EDIT*

Jesus, I had to go look at the top 4's injury lists out of curiosity. Chelsea have had the same as us over the season, Liverpool on 44 and Arsenal... a massive 76! Cant be bothered to go through all those injuries to record which were first teamers, and repeated injuries. But Jesus, poor old (young) Arsenal.

*Edit*

Had to go look at a few other teams towards the top of the table. Villa 39, Everton 44, Spurs 46.

Arsenal - 76
Chelsea - 51
Man Utd - 51
Man C - 51
Spurs - 46
Everton - 44
Liverpool - 44
Villa - 39

 

[cfdemarco]

According to ESPN, the Red Knights are readying a takeover bid
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=770907&sec=england&cc=5901

Malcolm the Deceiver must really feel like an idiot. It must suck to know that so many people hate you and want you to remove yourself from the club. I wonder if he will give in...if he keeps refusing the offers it is only going to make people hate him more and protest him more.

 

[MikeyM]

Chelsea getting away with handballs in the box now. It's like the whole refereeing department wants Chelsea to win the EPL

Seems that way, although to be honest United haven't made much of a challenge recently.

As for the summer clearout:

I'd clearout Owen, Berbatov, Possebon and possibly loan out Gibson again. I would also try and get the lad Akinfeev to suceed Edwin.

I'd aim to bring in Benzema, Cole and maybe another striker, I would play Anderson as an attacking midfielder when he comes back, supporting Rooney - with Valencia and Nani on the wings. Hargreaves sitting in front of the back four.

Smalling will be backup to Rio and Vida, and the twins can cover Evra, although Rafael would be my rightback.

I would retain Scholes and Giggs as squad players, but I would use them sparingly.

But, as always, only Sir Alex knows his plans - but he has to do something or we're going to struggle next season.

 

[Zakov]

Did you read that part?

Yes I did. And you followed up the highlighted part by wondering what might've been if you had Rooney available for the aforementioned 3 games.

And I followed up by saying there's not point in reflecting on what might have been.

The rest of the post was just to elaborate my point.

 

[Pogba4Now]

You guys are not dependent on Essien and Cole at all TBH. Likewise we could say we've had Hargreaves and O'Shea out for most of the season. You have enough quality backup to make up for them. This can't be compared to Rooney's injury. This guy has been key this season for us. We rely heavily on Rooney and he's been injured at the most crucial time of the season. He got injured when we needed him most... Anyway if we can't deal while playing without one player, we don't deserve the title IMO.

EDIT: Arsenal lost to Spurs so we're still second

 

[Zakov]

You guys are not dependent on Essien and Cole at all TBH. Likewise we could say we've had Hargreaves and O'Shea out for most of the season. You have enough quality backup to make up for them. This can't be compared to Rooney's injury. This guy has been key this season for us. We rely heavily on Rooney and he's been injured at the most crucial time of the season. He got injured when we needed him most... Anyway if we can't deal while playing without one player, we don't deserve the title IMO.

EDIT: Arsenal lost to Spurs so we're still second

I have to agree with yer, we've coped quite well without them for so long although they would add much more to our team if they weren't out in the first place.

 

[Pogba4Now]

Yes you guys have a lot of quality back-up players. Only factor is the age though. In a few years, these guys will have to be replaced.

Anyway back on topic, just found the United reserves Vs Liverpool reserves on youtube. We won 1-0 and need 4 more points to win the reserves title. We've been doing pretty well in the reserves in the past 3 years or so. Hopefully these guys will be carrying the first team to glory in a few years.



I'm impressed by Obertan's shot. He's been crap at shooting for the first team so far. So many blunders in front of goal for the first team. I think he's too nervous yet to handle the pressure of playing in front of so many people. I remember him having some psychologic issues at Bordeaux.

EDIT: several reports say we are after Lloris for 15 millions. I think these are just rumours but I'd love it if they're true. I think Foster and Kuszczak are both great though. But not worldclass.

 

[ladylover]

Yes you guys have a lot of quality back-up players. Only factor is the age though. In a few years, these guys will have to be replaced.

Anyway back on topic, just found the United reserves Vs Liverpool reserves on youtube. We won 1-0 and need 4 more points to win the reserves title. We've been doing pretty well in the reserves in the past 3 years or so. Hopefully these guys will be carrying the first team to glory in a few years.



I'm impressed by Obertan's shot. He's been crap at shooting for the first team so far. So many blunders in front of goal for the first team. I think he's too nervous yet to handle the pressure of playing in front of so many people. I remember him having some psychologic issues at Bordeaux.

EDIT: several reports say we are after Lloris for 15 millions. I think these are just rumours but I'd love it if they're true. I think Foster and Kuszczak are both great though. But not worldclass.

I wouldn't mind keeping Tommy K at the club, he did very well when Edwin was injured. Lloris would be a great addition. He has played a big part in Lyon's succes in the CL. Considering dealing with Lyon though isn't easy, remember the whole Essien saga? I can't see them only asking for 15 mln......

 

[AsmodaiPlay]

Chelsea got the calls in some of the most important games this season and hardly any unjust ones against them. Whatever United were getting in previous seasons doesn't matter, because fact remains a fact that Chelsea will undeservedly win the Premier League thanks to some terrible refereeing blunders. When its time for next season I will forget about it, but right now Chelsea got almost title-changing calls in ALL of the last 3 games and that's a shame because United hardly deserves a title this year and at least I was hoping that Chelsea would take it fairly.

Who deserves it more then? Us? I don't think so.

Fact is we were slightly unlucky when we played them at the bridge but deserved to lose to them at OT. Over the course of the season Chelsea have been the best team and only opened the race up for us because they had a little blip around christmas time. As for luck, Chelsea had none of that against Barcelona last season so its not like they get all the luck or anything.

I'm contented with how the season has gone considering we replaced Ronaldo and Tevez with Owen, Valencia and Obertan (which is no comparison tbh). Some so called neutrals thought we would really struggle even to finish 4th so if we finish second only a few points behind Chelsea with an automatic champions league spot then it isn't bad.

 

[Zakov]

When its time for next season I will forget about it, but right now Chelsea got almost title-changing calls in ALL of the last 3 games and that's a shame because United hardly deserves a title this year and at least I was hoping that Chelsea would take it fairly.

Just noticed you included the Villa game which is an FA Cup game.

Chelsea 7 - 1 Aston Villa
Manchester United 1 - 2 Chelsea
Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton Wanderers

Here's our proper last 3 games in the Premier League. And yes, we have had things go our way, the Drogba goal(bear in mind, Macheda's handball goal and Gary Neville's rugby takedown on Anelka which was somehow not mentioned much).
The Bolton penalty appeal? I really don't give a toss about that, we've had more blatant handball decisions go against us. Its about time we got a run of good fortune. So its only been two games where we've got good luck as far as officials go. I'll just end things here on my part, because I think you're making a huge deal out of this.

As far as I'm concerned and I know I'm stating the obvious but the shifting of balance in the title race started when Rooney got injured, not because officials suddenly decided they were going to give the title to us.

 

[Help?]

Just noticed you included the Villa game which is an FA Cup game.

Chelsea 7 - 1 Aston Villa
Manchester United 1 - 2 Chelsea
Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton Wanderers

Here's our proper last 3 games in the Premier League. And yes, we have had things go our way, the Drogba goal(bear in mind, Macheda's handball goal and Gary Neville's rugby takedown on Anelka which was somehow not mentioned much).
The Bolton penalty appeal? I really don't give a toss about that, we've had more blatant handball decisions go against us. Its about time we got a run of good fortune. So its only been two games where we've got good luck as far as officials go. I'll just end things here on my part, because I think you're making a huge deal out of this.

As far as I'm concerned and I know I'm stating the obvious but the shifting of balance in the title race started when Rooney got injured, not because officials suddenly decided they were going to give the title to us.

I included the FA Cup game because red cards there carry over to a domestic league and missing captain Terry would make a huge difference to your defense. Anelka penalty wasn't mentioned because Park's penalty wasn't mentioned. And i'm yet to see a replay that will conclusively prove that Macheda did handle or didn't handle the ball on its way towards the net.

I'm not making a big deal out of it at all. Its undeniable that Chelsea had more luck with refereeing decisions this season at the most important moments than any other team. Getting a penalty shout turned down when you are losing 4-0 doesn't matter or something along those lines. Every team gets lucky decisions here and there, but Chelsea got them at title-deciding moments, that's what I was talking about. You and pete started talking about past seasons, bad calls in general etc. Yes the Rooney injury pretty much swung the whole title race in your favour, but remember that I have every right to complain, as you did take 6 points off us this season based on winning goals that should have never stood. Fact is a fact and instead of admitting it like "some" United fans would in the past seasons when Ronaldo would dive and win a penalty, you lot started talking about everybody getting favourable calls at one point or another. Just say that the referees helped you a great deal to win the league and the discussion will be over. I'm not denying that referees helped United on a number of occasions to win the league in the past.

 

[Zakov]

Just say that the referees helped you a great deal to win the league and the discussion will be over. I'm not denying that referees helped United on a number of occasions to win the league in the past.

Oh my, you are quite amusing. Helped us yes they have, but a great deal? No, 30++ games in the Premier League, we scored more goals than anybody else, lost less games than our rivals in the top 4(even prior to the games that involved refereeing decisions), and we've been top of the table for a long time. Give us some credit here, geez.

But if that's how you feel like suit yourself.

 

[Help?]

If we take away two United-Chelsea games from the equation (referee decisions) then you lost just as much as United, scored 6 more but conceded 5 more and you would have been 2 points behind, meaning that had those two games finished in draws you would have been 2nd right now. So I am giving you as much credit for the other games this season as I am to other teams.

 

[Zakov]

If we take away two United-Chelsea games from the equation (referee decisions) then you lost just as much as United, scored 6 more but conceded 5 more and you would have been 2 points behind, meaning that had those two games finished in draws you would have been 2nd right now. So I am giving you as much credit for the other games this season as I am to other teams.

You're playing too much with the "what ifs". Its not a foregone conclusion that our results would turn the other way around had the refereeing decisions gone against us in the situations pointed, for example, I have confidence that even if Bolton or Villa had their penalty we would still go on and win. Also, by disregarding the games that we played each other(in which we took 6 points off Utd) of course the lead would be cut. For the game at Utd, where we got the offside goal, how can you be so sure if Drogba had his goal disallowed we wouldn't have gone on to win? We were already 1-0 and Cech wasn't seriously troubled. It's not fair to say that the matches would turn out differently because of the refereeing decisions. So I'll just stop here and let you keep on pondering the possibilities.

 

[cfdemarco]

This could all be made moot if Chelsea lose to Tottenham and Pool and we win out.

 

[adedawson]

I sure hope this stuff in the papers is a load of rubbish. Distinct lack of quotes at all.

REAL MADRID are plotting a spectacular double swoop for England's crown jewels, Wayne Rooney AND Fabio Capello.
The Spanish giants will make a staggering £150MILLION raid for Rooney, offering Manchester United £90m for their prize asset and the player £250,000 a week for five years.

And they are determined to go back for highly-regarded ex-boss Capello after the World Cup.

Capello has managed Real twice before, winning La Liga on both occasions.

He is tied to England until 2012 but Real president Florentino Perez is no respecter of contracts.

Perez has a record of getting his man - as United will testify, losing David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo to Madrid.

Rooney, 24, and in the form of his life with 34 goals this term, has still not committed to a new contract and has only two years left on his deal.

Real will tempt him with a five-year offer worth £60m, matching Ronaldo and way beyond United's strict wage structure.

Perez is driven by the thought of restoring Rooney's devastating partnership with Ronaldo - under the no-nonsense leadership Capello brings.

Capello has hinted he could leave England when his contract with expires.

The Italian said: "I like new situations. I won't close any door."

And the different tax laws in the two countries means United would have to find an extra 25 per cent on top of anything Real offer Rooney.

In this country he will be taxed at 50 per cent but a move to Spain will cost him just 25 per cent.



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2934370/Real-want-Roo-and-Fab.html#ixzz0lDUbUIla

I wonder how true that is. Its a bit worrying, I know if I was rooney, won everything with club and now been offered £60 million over 5 years, it would be very tempting.

250k a week in sunny Spain without losing 50% of his wage to Tax. Tempting to say the least.

I guess we will find out how in debt we really are.

 

[RockShow]

I sure hope this stuff in the papers is a load of rubbish. Distinct lack of quotes at all.



I wonder how true that is. Its a bit worrying, I know if I was rooney, won everything with club and now been offered £60 million over 5 years, it would be very tempting.

250k a week in sunny Spain without losing 50% of his wage to Tax. Tempting to say the least.

I guess we will find out how in debt we really are.

"Lose beckham" ? we got rid of him. real got a bargain at 25 million.