"You can't beat experience", or so they say. Just ask Liverpool after Manchester United's two most experienced players gifted them a Premier League victory at Anfield this lunchtime.
Rafael Benitez' side fully deserved the three points they took in front of their home fans, after a 2-1 victory over their biggest of rivals from Old Trafford, but they could, and probably should, have lost.
Manchester United flew out of the traps and £30million signing Dimitar Berbatov cut the ball back for an unmarked Carlos Tevez to fire Sir Alex Ferguson's team in front on just three minutes.
However, 37-year-old United stopper Edwin Van Der Sar seemed intent on looking as frail and brittle as possible. By the time he slapped the ball into the legs of a helpless Wes Brown to gift Liverpool an equaliser, he had already dropped a simple cross only for Dirk Kuyt to waste the present.
Up to that point it had been the visitors that were in control, but as the infamous 'Kop' became more involved, the more the Liverpool players asserted themselves.
Benitez's men were overrunning and overpowering their opponents, so Ferguson called for United's record appearance holder, Ryan Giggs. Unfortunately for the Red Devils, it was Giggs who 'dallied' in possession when under pressure in the penalty area before being robbed by Mascherano who then set up Babel for the winner.
Scouring the club's message boards' there is a split opinion on both Giggs and Van Der Sar with regard to whether they merit their places.
Ben Foster is rumoured to be back to full fitness and it will be interesting to see whether he is able to displace the newly internationally retired Van Der Sar between the sticks at Old Trafford.
While the position of Giggs looks increasingly insecure, especially when you consider that Cristiano Ronaldo is expected back in midweek. With Anderson already ahead of the Welshman in the pecking order, alongside the likes of Carrick, Scholes and Hargreaves, possibly even a fully fit Park Ji-Sung and Nani too. Could it be that Giggs' United days are over?
Whatever the ramifications for United after this defeat you can be sure the manager will not bow to sentiment and if he feels they are no longer up to the job they will find themselves out of the squad as quickly as they entered it.
Showing posts with label Manchester United. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manchester United. Show all posts
Saturday, 13 September 2008
Friday, 6 June 2008
I'VE WORKED IT OUT!
Yesterday I wrote on the ongoing Ronaldo saga with the tug of war between Manchester United and Real Madrid taking over the back pages day after day. After a night and morning to think over the whole story a light just flicked on in my head a few seconds ago.
Last night I wasted a couple of hours watching Ronaldo interviews on YouTube - I really need to get out more - and started to get an idea in my head that Ronaldo himself is not necessarily feeding the press rumours on purpose.
This morning Cristiano's mother has spoken of her belief that England is the player's home and that he is very happy to be continuuing at Old Trafford next season.
One line in particular stands out: "...the future only god knows".
Now where have i heard that before? Oh that's it every interview Ronaldo has given to a TV station in recent months, from the Champions League final build up where he says "I stay in the club" to the Football Writer's Awards where he again re-iterates his desire to stay. However, the quotes the media pick up on are the ones where he says that "only God knows what the future holds".
These are taken a meaning that Ronaldo is unsure over his immediate future as the media are looking for a story and something to hang it on. At the moment Ronaldo is blockbuster in whatever he does and people read the paper and watch the news to find out what he has done now.
Not a day goes past without speculation about his future but perhaps there is no need for all this. Ronaldo has already stated on a number of occasions that he wishes to stay and it could be suggested that all he is saying in the alleged unsure sections of interviews is that he will be at the club as long as they want him. Perhaps Ronaldo realises that the club are in charge and will decide his future and is merely explaining that if United decide they want him no longer then he would have to move on.
This post may become a daily event as speculation grows, although hopefully in shorter form. However, I think I might have worked out what Ronaldo is saying. That he wants to stay a Manchester United player and that he is merely covering all bases.
It appears the quotes eminating from Brazil yesterday have been discredited in the wake of Ronaldo's mother's comments. Although predictably the press have taken these on as gospel and the backpages are filled with "Ronaldo: I Want Real Deal" or "I'm off to Real".
It appears there is no immediate end in sight...
Last night I wasted a couple of hours watching Ronaldo interviews on YouTube - I really need to get out more - and started to get an idea in my head that Ronaldo himself is not necessarily feeding the press rumours on purpose.
This morning Cristiano's mother has spoken of her belief that England is the player's home and that he is very happy to be continuuing at Old Trafford next season.
One line in particular stands out: "...the future only god knows".
Now where have i heard that before? Oh that's it every interview Ronaldo has given to a TV station in recent months, from the Champions League final build up where he says "I stay in the club" to the Football Writer's Awards where he again re-iterates his desire to stay. However, the quotes the media pick up on are the ones where he says that "only God knows what the future holds".
These are taken a meaning that Ronaldo is unsure over his immediate future as the media are looking for a story and something to hang it on. At the moment Ronaldo is blockbuster in whatever he does and people read the paper and watch the news to find out what he has done now.
Not a day goes past without speculation about his future but perhaps there is no need for all this. Ronaldo has already stated on a number of occasions that he wishes to stay and it could be suggested that all he is saying in the alleged unsure sections of interviews is that he will be at the club as long as they want him. Perhaps Ronaldo realises that the club are in charge and will decide his future and is merely explaining that if United decide they want him no longer then he would have to move on.
This post may become a daily event as speculation grows, although hopefully in shorter form. However, I think I might have worked out what Ronaldo is saying. That he wants to stay a Manchester United player and that he is merely covering all bases.
It appears the quotes eminating from Brazil yesterday have been discredited in the wake of Ronaldo's mother's comments. Although predictably the press have taken these on as gospel and the backpages are filled with "Ronaldo: I Want Real Deal" or "I'm off to Real".
It appears there is no immediate end in sight...
Thursday, 5 June 2008
THE RONALDO DEBATE RUMBLES ON...
It's time to be honest, I am starting to think that perhaps, just perhaps, Ronaldo does really want to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid. The worst nightmare of United fans everywhere could become a horrible reality.
At this point I also venture to suggest that the quotes released today that have been attributed to the 23-year-old Portuguese seem a little far-fetched and as cruel as it may sound - I believe them to be - controversially - a fixture of Jose Gomes' imagination. Sky Sports News have interviewed Gomes and fellow journalists - who claim they have not seen the Brazilian journalist at Portugal's training camp in Switzerland - and the Portuguese national side's Press Officer claims Ronaldo has not conducted any interviews at all. Meanwhile, in Gomes' interview with presenter Sam Matterface he was pressed on why he failed to ask Ronaldo why he wished to leave and what reasons he had for wanting to join Real Madrid and on each occasion the Terra Newspaper reporter basically pleaded the 'fifth ammendment'.
On such quotations my personal jury is not even out - they have already delivered a unanimous verdict. However, they say there is no smoke without fire - and the fire is that Ronaldo himself has not quashed the rumours as he could have done.
With this in mind I will now look at what the potential repurcussions would be for United should Ronaldo make a potentially record-breaking move to Spain:
The biggest problem for United would be replacing the 42 goals the Portuguese scored this season - a mammouth task even for some of the world's finest strikers including the like of Fernando Torres or much linked Karim Benzema. Also let us not forget that Brazilian midfielder Anderson failed to score this season and with the ability he possesses it is hard to believe he will not become a regular contributor next season.
Of course there are obvious solutions to this problem in that Sir Alex Ferguson would have - potentially - upwards of £50million to spend in order to plug the gap. This money could be used to fund a mega-money move for the exciting Benzema - presumably with money to spare! Or perhaps Fergie will look at different options. With Ronaldo in Madrid there would be no place for Robinho. I am not suggesting Robinho is of the same quality of Ronaldo - because nobody is - however he has similar traits and talents, and a little under the radar he has started to develop into the player the world thought he would become.
With Robinho or Benzema in the side United would be able to operate the same fluid attacking system they have this season with Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez completing the trio.
However, the heir apparent to Ronaldo's throne at Old Trafford could already be there in Portguese compatriot Nani who has shown glimpses of frigthening quality - especially in the FA Cup win over Arsenal where he teased and tormented the Gunners.
In all honesty, there are any number of potential solutions to the problem of losing Ronaldo, all with different merits.
There is no doubt that Manchester United will be weaker should they lose Ronaldo, any team would be, however they have lost big players before and always seem to come back stronger.
I would urge the Old Trafford faithful to ignore the press reports and wait until they see Ronaldo officially discuss the matter after the European Championships before thinking about whether he will stay or go.
My money is on Ronaldo blessing the Theatre of Dreams with his skills and goals once more next term, for the time being at least...
At this point I also venture to suggest that the quotes released today that have been attributed to the 23-year-old Portuguese seem a little far-fetched and as cruel as it may sound - I believe them to be - controversially - a fixture of Jose Gomes' imagination. Sky Sports News have interviewed Gomes and fellow journalists - who claim they have not seen the Brazilian journalist at Portugal's training camp in Switzerland - and the Portuguese national side's Press Officer claims Ronaldo has not conducted any interviews at all. Meanwhile, in Gomes' interview with presenter Sam Matterface he was pressed on why he failed to ask Ronaldo why he wished to leave and what reasons he had for wanting to join Real Madrid and on each occasion the Terra Newspaper reporter basically pleaded the 'fifth ammendment'.
On such quotations my personal jury is not even out - they have already delivered a unanimous verdict. However, they say there is no smoke without fire - and the fire is that Ronaldo himself has not quashed the rumours as he could have done.
With this in mind I will now look at what the potential repurcussions would be for United should Ronaldo make a potentially record-breaking move to Spain:
The biggest problem for United would be replacing the 42 goals the Portuguese scored this season - a mammouth task even for some of the world's finest strikers including the like of Fernando Torres or much linked Karim Benzema. Also let us not forget that Brazilian midfielder Anderson failed to score this season and with the ability he possesses it is hard to believe he will not become a regular contributor next season.
Of course there are obvious solutions to this problem in that Sir Alex Ferguson would have - potentially - upwards of £50million to spend in order to plug the gap. This money could be used to fund a mega-money move for the exciting Benzema - presumably with money to spare! Or perhaps Fergie will look at different options. With Ronaldo in Madrid there would be no place for Robinho. I am not suggesting Robinho is of the same quality of Ronaldo - because nobody is - however he has similar traits and talents, and a little under the radar he has started to develop into the player the world thought he would become.
With Robinho or Benzema in the side United would be able to operate the same fluid attacking system they have this season with Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez completing the trio.
However, the heir apparent to Ronaldo's throne at Old Trafford could already be there in Portguese compatriot Nani who has shown glimpses of frigthening quality - especially in the FA Cup win over Arsenal where he teased and tormented the Gunners.
In all honesty, there are any number of potential solutions to the problem of losing Ronaldo, all with different merits.
There is no doubt that Manchester United will be weaker should they lose Ronaldo, any team would be, however they have lost big players before and always seem to come back stronger.
I would urge the Old Trafford faithful to ignore the press reports and wait until they see Ronaldo officially discuss the matter after the European Championships before thinking about whether he will stay or go.
My money is on Ronaldo blessing the Theatre of Dreams with his skills and goals once more next term, for the time being at least...
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