Manchester United Thread

[Adrock]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_James_Park,_Exeter still exists.

[PaTaito]

Its clear that City players have gone there for the ridiculous wages that have been thrown at them, look at Nasri, if he was still at arsenal he'd be playing every game and when he left there City still hadn't won anything so they were not a proven team. He went for the money.

Having said all that we all go to our jobs for the money and if something better comes along we take it, so I don't see why footballers should be singled out for doing the same.


Since Vidic got injured united have actually improved though, when he was playing City were way ahead in the title race. I don't think he's been missed that much. Smalling and Jones just don't seem ready for the pressure yet. Evans has actually been playing well recently and if he had bee available today then I believe he would have done a better job than Smalling when that goal went in,

1, Nasri was citys last signing of that partciluar window, he came after the likes of aguero arrived....money is one thing, but city were far more likely to achieve something in the near future than the shambles that was arsenal at that time.

2, UTD have in no way improved without vidic, rather have just done what they always do, grind out results and keep a level of consitency in that dept. Citys form on the other hand has been worse since just prior to xmas. If any positives can be taken by UTD this season its the attacking partnership of rooney and welbeck.

The only players i ever saw as mercenary at city were the extravegant early signings like robinho, and a little later tevez. Everyone from the silva/toure window onward, probably came fully expecting to win things given the team already in place. Money is always important, but recently they have more to offer.

Thats what basically makes city truly one of the top boys now, because they can offer what any club can, the potential to win any trophy.

One thing is for sure mind you, if city win the title you shudder to think the kind of players they will bring in next...so the reds MUST, MUST make good signings in the summer this time. They need to sign two big names imo. Scholes and giggs are not going to last too much longer either.

[sj33]

Important lessons for United to learn. The return of Scholes and continuing relevance of Giggs is rightly applauded, but this summer really will require United to rebuild the squad and make difficult decisions if they want to challenge foe the title next season. Shinji Kagawa is reportedly on the way, but here's hoping a more fundamental change takes place.

It is important to remember that this is not a disaster season, despite the temptation to feel that way. No trophies were won this year, but United came second in the best league in the world by a considerable margin. And equal on points with City. Looking at other major teams in the league like Arsenal struggling to get into the Champions League places, Chelsea's chances now relying on them beating Bayern, and Liverpool becoming increasing irrelevent as far as the top 4 is concerned, a comfortable 2nd place and a Champions League place that was never really under threat is something not to be sniffed at. But Fergerson might have to recognise the fact that the team is going to have to evolve to cope with the changing nature of the top 4.

[arcnas]

Feel gutted but 89 is a pretty amazing haul to be fair, the way it went in the end was truly gutting having thought we snatched it, but city won 18 out of 19 games at home and that's we're it's been one, I thought we were ok for a lot of the season, but nothing great, but vidic being back will surely stop silly late goals that everton scored which cost us so dearly.

[Adrock]

It is important to remember that this is not a disaster season, despite the temptation to feel that way. No trophies were won this year, but United came second in the best league in the world by a considerable margin.

That is a seriously crazy suggestion. 3 Spanish teams in the Europa League Semi Finals and two in the final. 2 Spanish teams in the Champions League Semi Finals. There is clear evidence that the Premier League has weakened in the last couple of years, significantly too.

[sj33]

That's more of a comment about the state of the English league though, in fairness. My suggestion was relative to the other supposed 'big hitters' such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. If your team is comfortably second in the Premier League with a Champions League place that was never really under threat, things could be worse. Chelsea are in the Champions League final and won the FA Cup, but you'd struggle to say their season has been a good one.

No-one would disagree that this has been a bad year for English football as a whole, though.

[Adrock]

I would say, if Chelsea win the Champions League, its fair to say they will have had the best season out of any English team. Champions League is the biggest, best competition in the world and to beat Barca and Bayern on the way to the trophy it'd be an excellent season.

[Stoppy2000]

That's more of a comment about the state of the English league though, in fairness. My suggestion was relative to the other supposed 'big hitters' such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. If your team is comfortably second in the Premier League with a Champions League place that was never really under threat, things could be worse. Chelsea are in the Champions League final and won the FA Cup, but you'd struggle to say their season has been a good one.

No-one would disagree that this has been a bad year for English football as a whole, though.

Does anyone class Liverpool as big hitters any more? Realistically they aren't.

[glazza]

Suprised no one has commented on this but to be honest i have been waiting for this news for more than a month now as Kagawa is someone i have seen a lot of this season being a keen follower of Dortmund and the Bundesliga. I just think Shinji Kagawa will make a long-lasting impact at United if his exploits with Borussia are anything to go by and we finally have a genuine goalscoring central midfielder with a superb creative eye as well and I have no doubts that he will flourish and contribute so much what is missing in our midfield.

Hopefully he wont be the last too.

[Anpanman]

Yep looking forward to seeing Kagawa in the red shirt. Although the press are widely reporting it's a done deal, he's saying that he hasn't signed yet.

Anyway am sure it's just a matter of time though.

[mr_fantazmo]

So anyway.....this happened today



Personally I don't see how any United fan can be disappointed by this signing. Yes it was a lot of money, yes he has had a few injury problems but he has been consistent performer in both goal scoring and assisting during his time in the prem.

I'd rather spend ?24 mill on Van Persie than ?25 - ?30 million on some Brazilian lad who is unproven at top level.

Any thoughts fellow United fans?

[Sergeant Syphillis]

Agree with you he's a great signing can't wait to see the combinations with kagawa, welbeck, Rooney and hernandez. I do want to see more of hernandez this season i rhink he's better than welbeck and should be Sharp after a long break.

Looking forward to seeing powel and hopefully Fletcher will be back soon, not sure if he'll be the same player though...

Eitherway we'll be good on FIFA 13!

[saturn-gamer]

Shame hes such a piece of **** in the orange jersey. Weird because hes a typical all round player like Bergkamp, Kluivert etc were.

Its also a good deal for Arsenal though. 25 million euros for a guy who's contract expired next season. He's 29 and wants to collect silverware at club level, and apparently didn't want to leave the PL. In this case he made the best choice, because City and Chelsea would've been the only other options. And those merc teams are a striker graveyard.

[teddymeow]

It means Berba must be going. He's been told he can but it's a question of where to?

I think Rooney and Van Persie for the PL with Welbeck and Chicharito for Europe but we'll see.

Also, Kagawa looks exceptional and Fletcher played some the other day. Should be a great season!!

[wod]

Just watched an interview with van Persie on Mutv and from what he said a chat with van der sar last week gave him a good feeling on signing with united.

With arsenal not going anywhere think it was time to move on for him and with united having a had Dutch players such as van nistleroy, stam, jordi cruyff and van der sar etc in uniteds history why would he go anywhere else.