2008-2009 Champions of Europe Thread
- Thread starter JBgobears
- Start date
MajorYoung
25+ Posts
It's been a relativly inactive transfer window so far for MUFC (the constant Ronaldo rumours withstanding). Pique went home to barcelona, saha's name has been tossed around in connection with Roma and we also lost out on Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff who signed with Arsenal. I suppose we will find out soon enough what Ronaldo's decision will be which will obviously have a large affect on what happens during the rest of the transfer period. I would like to see another striker added to the mix, and soon enough it will be time for a replacement for Van der Sar who has got to be geting close to 40 (Im not sold on kusczcak*spelling*).
We'll have to see how Ben Foster does. The real question is if he can remain healthy.
As for other transfer targets, they seem keen on signing a #9. Benzema remains the primary target, but I'd like to see them go after Huntelaar. He seems like the opportunistic striker that we need.
As for other transfer targets, they seem keen on signing a #9. Benzema remains the primary target, but I'd like to see them go after Huntelaar. He seems like the opportunistic striker that we need.
MajorYoung
25+ Posts
I dont know a lot about Huntelaar, however I do like the idea of Benzema. A lot of what I read says Benzema will stay @ lyon for a few more years...apparently he grew up a supporter of the club etc etc...however, money talks and you cant believe much of what you read during the window. How old is Huntelaar? I like the reloading with young talent; age can catch up with you fast (see AC Milan this past year). Speaking of young talent, what are your expectations for Anderson this coming season? I believe he's only 19, and I was impressed with him when he saw the field last year...
We'll have to see how injured he is after last night (f'ing Mascherano).
That being said, I think our players fall into one of four tiers.
Defenders
Ferdinand
Vidic
Brown
Evra
Silvestre
Holding Midfielders
Carrick
Hargreaves
Anderson
O'Shea
Attacking Midfielders
Ronaldo
Tevez
Rooney
Giggs
Nani
Strikers
Saha
New #9
For the most part, each player can be substituted or play with any of the other players at his tier. Anderson will be in that 'holding' role, supplying the ball to Ronaldo et.al. 2 of Carrick, Hargreaves, and Anderson will get the lion's share of the playing time. It's up to Fergie to decide which two.
That being said, I think our players fall into one of four tiers.
Defenders
Ferdinand
Vidic
Brown
Evra
Silvestre
Holding Midfielders
Carrick
Hargreaves
Anderson
O'Shea
Attacking Midfielders
Ronaldo
Tevez
Rooney
Giggs
Nani
Strikers
Saha
New #9
For the most part, each player can be substituted or play with any of the other players at his tier. Anderson will be in that 'holding' role, supplying the ball to Ronaldo et.al. 2 of Carrick, Hargreaves, and Anderson will get the lion's share of the playing time. It's up to Fergie to decide which two.
kicksumass
100+ Posts
isn't rooney a striker?
I think everyone wants him to be a striker, but that's not the way he plays. In the 4-2-3-1 that they want to run, the lone striker has to stay up front and look to receive the ball. Rooney spends too much of his time trying to go get the ball. He is their best option at striker right now, but I think they want to go get someone who has the right mindset for that position so he can play where he is more comfortable.
MajorYoung
25+ Posts
Appears that SAF has plans only to sign a striker and nobody else. Have seen Villa's and Schwiensteiger's name mentioned lately in connection with a move to OT...Villa is by far more fun to watch, however he could take a beating in the EPL, whereas Schweinsteiger apears to play a more phyiscal brand of football, a trait that could benifit him. Also, I dont see why BS wouldnt be primed for a move from Bayern Munich, with Podolski, Luca Toni, and Ribery along with Schwein competing for minutes up front, it would seem like a situation ready for change.
MajorYoung
25+ Posts
More or less the same thing is on United's website. Anyone familiar with ajax or the Netherlands that could tell me a little bit about this guy? I know somebody on here is a fan of the oranje.
CHETOLONGHORN
250+ Posts
Is ESPN going to broadcast the games?
TexonLongIsland
2,500+ Posts
I predict a riot
George Best
25+ Posts
Finally resolved:
Cristiano Ronaldo to play at Manchester for another year: report
Wed 06 Aug, 11:20 PM
LISBON (AFP) - Manchester United's star player Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed in Portuguese newspaper Publico that he will play for the European Champions "for at least another year."
Ronaldo, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for weeks, told Publico: "Sir Alex Ferguson heard my arguments, I heard his and, in fact, it was settled that the best for both parties would be for me to stay.
"Therefore, I can confirm that, next season, I will play for Manchester United.
"Before rumours emerge saying that I will play against my will, I want to make this clear - whoever says or writes that is lying.
"I will play for Manchester with all my heart and soul. I will fight and honour that shirt with the same commitment and dedication as always."
United's relationship with Real has been a casualty of the enduring transfer speculation. Ronaldo, for whom the Spanish club had been prepared to pay 85 million euros, has admitted he is the guilty party.
He continued: "I was responsible for all this controversy. I was the one who publicly expressed my desire to go to Real Madrid. I ended up being, even involuntarily, responsible for the poor relationship between the two clubs."
However 23-year-old Ronaldo, whose contract with United runs till 2012, told the paper he had not ruled out an eventual move to Real Madrid at some point in his career.
He explained: "I knew Real Madrid were interested in signing me and that they had allegedly made a very high offer to Manchester United.
"My desire was, for some time, that Manchester had accepted my transfer to Madrid. Saying otherwise would be to trick people and my own consciousness."
Ronaldo's comments put an end to the speculation and war of words between United and Real concerning the top scorer in the English Premiership last season.
Ronaldo is currently in Portugal where he is recovering from surgery on his injured right ankle.
Ferguson, speaking after United's 0-0 friendly draw with Juventus at Old Trafford on Wednesday, said: "We knew this was the case (that Ronaldo would be staying). I flew to Portugal some weeks ago and we cleared the air and he spoke to some of the players.
"The boy has been through a troubled time in terms of the approaches from Spain, but once he knew my stance, he then settled down.
"He has come out with this interview, which we are all pleased about, and we will welcome him back here this week."
Ferguson has urged the United supporters to stand by Ronaldo, despite his perceived disloyalty.
He said: "The fans have got to understand. It's very difficult when a young boy is tempted by all this money, particularly a young lad from Madeira -- his father died as a young man, so he looks after his mother, sister and brother.
"You can understand that in a way, but Cristiano knows more than anybody that he is very happy here.
"He has always been happy here and there is never a complaint about Manchester United. He has always been treated properly and the players have had a great relationship with him.
"We can put this to bed now. It's finished and the boy is a Manchester United player and that's most important thing."
The Link
Cristiano Ronaldo to play at Manchester for another year: report
Wed 06 Aug, 11:20 PM
LISBON (AFP) - Manchester United's star player Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed in Portuguese newspaper Publico that he will play for the European Champions "for at least another year."
Ronaldo, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for weeks, told Publico: "Sir Alex Ferguson heard my arguments, I heard his and, in fact, it was settled that the best for both parties would be for me to stay.
"Therefore, I can confirm that, next season, I will play for Manchester United.
"Before rumours emerge saying that I will play against my will, I want to make this clear - whoever says or writes that is lying.
"I will play for Manchester with all my heart and soul. I will fight and honour that shirt with the same commitment and dedication as always."
United's relationship with Real has been a casualty of the enduring transfer speculation. Ronaldo, for whom the Spanish club had been prepared to pay 85 million euros, has admitted he is the guilty party.
He continued: "I was responsible for all this controversy. I was the one who publicly expressed my desire to go to Real Madrid. I ended up being, even involuntarily, responsible for the poor relationship between the two clubs."
However 23-year-old Ronaldo, whose contract with United runs till 2012, told the paper he had not ruled out an eventual move to Real Madrid at some point in his career.
He explained: "I knew Real Madrid were interested in signing me and that they had allegedly made a very high offer to Manchester United.
"My desire was, for some time, that Manchester had accepted my transfer to Madrid. Saying otherwise would be to trick people and my own consciousness."
Ronaldo's comments put an end to the speculation and war of words between United and Real concerning the top scorer in the English Premiership last season.
Ronaldo is currently in Portugal where he is recovering from surgery on his injured right ankle.
Ferguson, speaking after United's 0-0 friendly draw with Juventus at Old Trafford on Wednesday, said: "We knew this was the case (that Ronaldo would be staying). I flew to Portugal some weeks ago and we cleared the air and he spoke to some of the players.
"The boy has been through a troubled time in terms of the approaches from Spain, but once he knew my stance, he then settled down.
"He has come out with this interview, which we are all pleased about, and we will welcome him back here this week."
Ferguson has urged the United supporters to stand by Ronaldo, despite his perceived disloyalty.
He said: "The fans have got to understand. It's very difficult when a young boy is tempted by all this money, particularly a young lad from Madeira -- his father died as a young man, so he looks after his mother, sister and brother.
"You can understand that in a way, but Cristiano knows more than anybody that he is very happy here.
"He has always been happy here and there is never a complaint about Manchester United. He has always been treated properly and the players have had a great relationship with him.
"We can put this to bed now. It's finished and the boy is a Manchester United player and that's most important thing."
The Link
Hornin Hong Kong
1,000+ Posts
Clearly best team in Europe hands down. You got exactly what you needed.
MajorYoung
25+ Posts
Very excited about the last minute deal for Berbatov, along with the news this week that CR will be back in this weekend of this month...sooner than anticipated. I will be interested to see exactly how united lineup now when CR returns. Those of you who know more than I do will have to analyze this for me...will united go with
-Berbatov-
Tevez-Rooney-Ronaldo ?
Allowing for Rooney to still play closer to the midfield? Should be interesting against Bolton(I believe thats when Ronaldo will be back) to see what SAF comes out with.
-Berbatov-
Tevez-Rooney-Ronaldo ?
Allowing for Rooney to still play closer to the midfield? Should be interesting against Bolton(I believe thats when Ronaldo will be back) to see what SAF comes out with.
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