Traffordshire County

Where do United go after Fergie?

2013-05-07T13:49:00.000+05:30

With the news Sir Alex Ferguson will be calling time on his spell at Old Trafford this summer,
Manchester United are set for what could be their most turbulent time for over the 26 years.
By turbulent, that does not mean the Premier League giants are set for a dip in form or success in the coming years but having had so much stability at the helm under Ferguson, it’s going to take some time for adjustment at the Theatre of Dreams.
The combination of the Scottish tactician and chief executive David Gill, who is also set to step aside this summer, has brought about so much success for United on and off the field over the last few decades.
Ferguson has by no means left his beloved United in the lurch and having claimed the Premier League title from rivals Manchester City this season, the Red Devils are very much in a good place.The only issues to deal with will be the Wayne Rooney transfer saga. The England man has requested to leave for a second time and although that had been turned down, it remains to be seen whether he will be in a red shirt at the start of next season.
There will be plenty of speculation as to who will take over from the 71-year-old this summer but again stability has to be the key for this club.
The football betting odds suggest Everton boss David Moyes is the frontrunner to take over. He has long been tipped to succeed his fellow Scot and the pair have had a close relationship ever since Fergie tried to employ him as his assistant way back in 1999.
Continuity in management has been a key factor in United’s success over the years and just because Ferguson enjoyed a reign which started in the mid-eighties until now, does not mean that like many of their rivals they must go through a host of managers in a few-year stints.
The selection of the next manager at Old Trafford is undoubtedly a huge decision but whoever is given the chance to take the helm at one of the biggest footballing institutions in world football, he will have all the tools and the infrastructure to continue where the great Sir Alex left off.

Fergie expects tough Villa test

2013-04-22T15:29:00.000+05:30

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is expecting a tough test when his side take on relegation candidates Aston Villa on Monday.
A victory could see United crowned Premier League champions, depending on if Manchester City lose at Tottenham on Sunday, but it certainly won’t be easy for the Red Devils, with Villa having just as much to play for at the other end of the table. That said punters who bet on Premier League games have probably had their title bets paid out such is the dominance of Fergie’s men this season.
With five games to go Paul Lambert’s men currently sit 17th in the Premier League standings, three points above Wigan but at this stage of the season every point matters, especially with them still play Chelsea before meeting the Latics on what promises to be a dramatic final day of the campaign.

Having lost just once in the last five, confidence is also high within the Villa camp and they certainly won’t be afraid of United, having opened up a 2-0 lead during the teams meeting earlier this season, only to eventually lose 3-2. Some brave punters who bet on football have already backed a shock result at Old Trafford.
Ferguson knows his team won’t have it easy against the plucky Midlanders and expects his players to come under plenty of pressure against one of the country’s most exciting young sides.
"We expect a scrap," the Scot told reporters. "The least you expect is for a team to fight for everything when they're down there.
"Villa showed against Stoke that they have a bit of life about them and they should have won their game against Fulham last week.
"When I saw the structure of those teams, they looked really positive selections. A lot of teams in that situation may pick a team to get something out of the game. Paul Lambert picked a team to win. There is a distinction," he added.

Book Review: 'A Virtual Love' by Andrew Blackman

2013-03-28T21:05:00.002+05:30

When this year gets over, I'm going to write a post mentioning the 10 best books I read in 2013, just like last year. I'm not sure this book will make that list, but it is surely a strong contender for the 'Discovery of the Year' honours.

Real & online identities entwine with each other in Andrew Blackman's second novel - 'A Virtual Love'. Jeff Brennan is an average guy at best, working in the IT Support section of a law firm. His namesake is Britain's numero uno political blogger, famous for his balanced views & his anonymity. So when Marie, an avid reader of the blog, assumes that the 'average' Jeff Brennan is 'the Jeff Brennan' & he doesn't correct her perception, a romance develops between the two on the basis of one lie. Jeff thinks he's found the perfect girl when his illustrious namesake decides to make his first public appearance, throwing his life into jeopardy. Will he tell Marie the truth?

Andrew Blackman won the 2008 Luke Bitmead Writers Bursary for his debut novel 'On the Holloway Road' & though I haven't read the book, I've come across favourable reviews from those who have read it. The good news is that 'A Virtual Love' doesn't disappoint either.

The style of narration in this book is not new to me, having read a couple of books written in a similar manner earlier this year. Each chapter is narrated by one particular character in this novel, but what's different is that not one single chapter is narrated by the protagonist Jeff Brennan (the average one). What this ensures is that his character is sketched by all those characters who form a part of his social life - his grandfather Arthur, his girlfriend Marie, his best friend Jon, his work colleagues Annie & Dex & even the namesake blogger gets to voice his side of events. I also liked how Blackman successfully portrays the true nature of Jeff's manipulative friend Marcus through extracts of the latter's Twitter feed. Characterisation in this novel is indeed praiseworthy.

What I liked most about this book was this sense of nostalgia that abounds especially when Jeff's grandfather Arthur takes on the mantle of narrator. I loved how the character talks about his past life as a journalist, how people around him have changed & how he feels like he's still frozen somewhere in an earlier time during his conversations with his grandson. The comments made on the subject of 'generation gap' with references to technology & online social networking through Arthur's character are very relevant to our times & I'm somehow glad that Blackman explores these themes in depth & with immense clarity. That sense of confusion in Arthur's mind regarding the difference in real & online identities of today's youth is immaculately captured in words.

There were also some parts that struck a chord, such as the incident when Jeff tries to teach Arthur about operating the computer, which sort of reminded me of my own efforts to teach my mother about using Facebook. Another one is how Jon feels deserted & left out when Jeff enters into a relationship with Marie. Thumbs up to the way these underlying sentiments are expressed.

What annoyed me about this book was its ending. It's not that the author plays too much with it, but I just couldn't bring myself to like it. It seemed like it was too abrupt & that the author just wanted to give a rather swift conclusion to the whole affair. I also thought that the plot loses a bit of steam in the second half, which was frustrating.

3.5 to 4 stars for this well-written novel by Andrew Blackman. It's not an extraordinary book, but I'd say you read it for the sense of nostalgia & because it is so much more than just real identities getting entangled with virtual ones. Recommended.

P.S. I won an eBook version of the novel in a personal giveaway by the author through his blog, and I solemnly state that it does not affect my review of the book in any way.

Vidic refuses to claim title race is over

2013-03-19T00:10:00.005+05:30

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic insists the title race is still far from over despite his side extending their lead to 15 points on Saturday.

United have dominated the Premier League for most of the season and their 1-0 win over Reading, combined with Manchester City’s defeat at Everton, means they now have a huge advantage going into the final nine games of the campaign. Indeed many punters who beton premier league games have seen their title bets paid out by some bookies, convinced United will finish top of the pile.

However, United also led this time last season, but a series of poor performances allowed the Citizens to cut their gap before Sergio Aguero’s last minute goal saw Roberto Mancini’s men clinch the title in dramatic manner on the final day.

After the Red Devils won at the Etihad Stadium in December, the two sides are still to play for a second time this season and their return meeting will undoubtedly provide City with the perfect chance to cut the gap.

If any team can play their way back into contention it’s certainly the champions, who on their day have ability to totally blow their opponents away, almost at will.

Having lost out last season, Vidic knows how dangerous City are and has told his team-mates that they cannot afford to get complacent in the final months of the campaign.

"It is a big gap and we shouldn't let that change. We have the title in our hands," said Vidic to premierleague betting news reporters. "What happened last season is the reason why sometimes you can feel the fans get nervous.

"But I don't think we should allow that to happen again. We can't allow that to happen again.

"But we still have some tough away games at places that are traditionally hard for us so nothing is finished yet,” he added."

McClaren tips Rooney to stay at United

2013-03-08T15:15:00.001+05:30

Former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren says he fully expects Wayne Rooney to remain at Old Trafford, despite the recent speculation linking him with a move away from the club.

The striker was sensationally left out of the starting line-up for the Red Devils’ Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday and now a number of high-profile pundits, including former United skipper Roy Keane, as well punters who bet on Premier League transfers, have tipped him to move on in the coming months.

Rumours have been rife that Rooney himself has hinted that he wants to leave the club and its thought that the board will be willing to listen to offers in the summer, with a number of top sides monitoring his progress.

However, it would be a huge decision for the former Everton youngster to take, as there are only a handful of teams who would be able match his massive ambitions.

One of these would be crosstown rivals Manchester City, who he was previously linked with before signing a new deal at Old Trafford in 2010.

Over the decades a number of players have left United at their peak, only to fall from grace and McClaren, who coached Rooney during his time in charge of England, believes the rumours are untrue and expects the striker to stay put.

“Sir Alex always says there is only one way to go after Manchester United, and that's down. He's right, that's proved,” he said to football betting news reporters. "I know Wayne Rooney and all he wants to do is play football and win, all he wants to do is win trophies.

“He is a winner and there is no better club to be at than Manchester United if you are a winner. He won't want to leave unless told he can leave.”

Fletcher given assurance over international career

2013-02-28T21:58:00.001+05:30

Darren Fletcher’s importance to the Scotland national team has been outlined by new manager Gordon Strachan, who insists the midfielder has a part in the squad when he returns from injury.

Fletcher is currently recovering from chronic bowel disease surgery and is out of action for the rest of the season. That means that while he misses Manchester United’s campaign for another famous treble this spring he will also sit out of Scotland’s World Cup qualifiers against Wales, Serbia and Croatia.

These are three huge games for Scotland in their quest to resurrect some pride from their World Cup qualifying campaign and Fletcher will be sorely missed in the centre of their midfield.

“The quicker he gets back, the better for Manchester United and for me,” Strachan told BBC Radio Manchester. “If you look back at Manchester United over the last six or seven years – any time there's been a big game, Darren’s played in it.”

Indeed, many fans in the betting world over at Betfair Football feel Fletcher’s return to international football could help Scotland qualify if not the World Cup then at least Euro 2016. Under Strachan the team have started well, winning their opening friendly 1-0 against Estonia earlier this month to set the foundations for a successful tenure at the helm.

What Scotland need going forward is a voice in the middle of the park and although they have Scott Brown to bark out the orders he is a class below Fletcher. The United star has won four league titles and a Champions League medal during his 10-year stint at the club and has developed into a top quality defensive midfielder.

When he returns this summer Scotland will have their captain and leader back in the team and should start growing into their potential ahead of qualification for France 2016.

For more information on FA Cup betting, head over to:http://betting.betfair.com/football/fa-cup/

Ferguson refusing to get carried away with advantage

2013-02-25T19:51:00.004+05:30

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his side that they cannot afford to take anything for granted despite their substantial lead at the top of the Premier League table.

After losing the title race last season, the Red Devils have bounced back in supreme manner this time around, sweeping everyone before them and now look almost guaranteed to win their 20th league championship. Indeedmany football betting news sites have already paid out on United winning the league once more.

However, they also found themselves in a similar situation this stage last year, only to lose form and eventually finish second behind bitter rivals Manchester City, following a dramatic last few weeks of the campaign.

Part of their problem last term was their lack of goals but they are currently the league’s top scorers charts, with summer signing Robin van Persie leading the way with 19 strikes.

He’s not been the only one on target though and Saturday saw goals from two unlikely sources, as Rafael and Ryan Giggs found the net to seal a 2-0 win away at bottom club Queens Park Rangers.

This moved them further clear at the top of the table but with 11 games left, there is still plenty of football to play, especially when you take into account that they are still to face nearest rivals City for a second time this season. Even if punters who bet on premier league markets have made their minds up.

Ferguson has now urged his players not to rest on their laurels and says they must continue to take things one game at a time.

"We're in a better position today (Saturday) than we were yesterday," the veteran boss told reporters.

"It's one game less and it's really important and the way we can approach it is by winning the next game and then trying to win the next game and seeing where it takes us."

Jones Injury Scare Ahead of Real Clash

2013-02-19T20:06:00.002+05:30

Manchester United’s chances of bypassing Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League tie have taken a severe blow after defensive midfielder, Phil Jones, limped off the Old Trafford pitch on Monday night.

Up against a spirited Reading side, United had to work hard for their victory in the FA Cup fifth round and Sir Alex Ferguson took a gamble in resting a number of his stars.

One man to survive the cull was Jones – who once again proved an integral part of United’s team – and had played his role well until the 40^th minute, when Jobi McAnuff pounced on a miss-control and the two players collided.

Unfortunately, Jones came out far worse than his opponent and a scan on Tuesday revealed damage to his ankle. There is now serous concern he will not be fit for the Real Madrid clash next week, a major hurdle in Ferguson’s plans to take apart the Spanish giants.

For Jones put in a man of the match performance in Madrid last Wednesday and, were it not for his determination to cover open ground, Real would have created many more chances than they did.

He also proved his worth for the team during United’s 2-0 win over Everton three days before, setting an example to many other Premier League midfielders on how to man-mark Marouane Fellaini out of the game.

His loss would be a severe blow for Ferguson, who must find a replacement to cover the back four. Anderson has never proven quite up to it, meaning Michael Carrick will be trusted to holding that position just above the defence.

Carrick has the ability and concentration to fulfil this role but there is always the danger he will stray forward, forgetting his duties. Hopefully, United don’t need too much cover to outscore Real on the night, but with Jones out there is a weakness for Ronaldo and co. to exploit.

United are 13/7 with Betfair Football to overcome Madrid. Check out the latest odds, tips, and news for the Champions League at http://betting.betfair.com/football/fa-cup/.

Ronaldo praise forewarning fan jibes

2013-02-05T21:14:00.000+05:30

Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out in praise of his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson before the pair meet for Real Madrid’s clash with Manchester United in the Champions League next week.

Ronaldo, who played more than 190 games and scored 84 goals for United under Sir Alex, departed the club for a world record £80m back in 2009 and has grown into one of the best players in the world under the Bernabeu floodlights.

In the weeks leading up to this Old Trafford departure, there were reports he had fallen out with the United manager: the cocky young wonderkid seeing life differently to the fiery Scot. According to the player, however, there is no lasting rift:

“I still have an excellent relationship with him and it will be nice to see him again,” Ronaldo told reporters.

“He taught me the basis of football. I arrived in Manchester when I was only 18. He managed my career in the best possible way and for me he is one of the most important people in football.”

Great praise from the Real Madrid star, who’s exit from Manchester could have gone smoother and there is still a real chance he will suffer a torrent of abuse from Reds supporters when he faces his former club home and away this month.

Maybe this was Ronaldo’s way of deflecting the attention the media will bring to this Champions League clash and for once Ronaldo may want to stay out of the limelight before a game.

Fans betting on football on Betfair are already expecting exciting things when United travel to Spain next week and should the tie still be in contention come the second leg a wall of noise will greet the players at Old Trafford. Whether or not the United faithful have forgiven then former star for deserting them is unclear, but diplomatic statements like this one can only help Ronaldo’s cause.

For more information, including betting tips, ahead of the Real v Man United clash, head over to: http://betting.betfair.com/football/premier-league/

Ferguson dismisses one-man team jibes

2013-01-22T16:18:00.002+05:30

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is adamant that his side haven’t become a one-man team following the summer arrival of Robin van Persie.
After years of carrying Arsenal with little silverware to show for it, the Dutchman decided to leave the Emirates, sparking a bidding war between some of Europe’s top clubs and punters who bet on premier league transfers were left wondering where to put their stake.
United eventually won the battle, with the 29-year-old arguing that his decision was based on the Red Devils’ extra desire to sign him.
Sir Alex’s men missed out on the Premier League title on goal difference last term but it doesn’t like it’ll be the case this time around, with the likes of Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck rediscovering some of their form to aid Wayne Rooney.
However, it’s been RVP who has been the real star, already surpassing the 20-goal mark for the campaign, helping his new side to establish a clear lead at the top of the standings.
A number of these strikes have helped United seal crucial results, leading Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini to suggest that the Dutchman could be the difference in the title race.
Some premier league betting news writers have suggested United rely too heavily on the former Feyenoord man, such is his importance to the team.
Ferguson is understandably delighted with his new star but insists his side are more than a one-man team.
"I don't go along with the idea we have become a one-man team," Ferguson told United Review.
"There was a time in our history when one man did carry us for a while. Eric Cantona kept us in contention with his goals when a few others were off the boil.
"But things are quite different now. Javier Hernandez has weighed in with 12 goals while Wayne Rooney is currently on nine.
"He is absolutely relishing his new challenge. He is the right player, at the right club, at the right time,” he added.

Short Story Gone Long: The Lost Star of David

2013-01-20T17:16:00.000+05:30

Alright, this is a new feature on my blog. It's not exactly a short story, but in essence it's still a short story that somehow managed to be longer than what the norm suggests. It's written by this guy called Christopher Jennings, whom I had the pleasure of being acquainted with at the Mumbai LitFest over a discussion on crime noir. He wrote this one and I'm happy to publish this on this modest platform of mine. Hope you enjoy reading it.

Another day at the office. Paperwork and more bloody paperwork – that’s all he had done for the past 6 years of his life barring Sundays. Where were those promises of a ‘challenging work environment’ he had heard from that lying bastard MD Sharma when he had joined this company?

David Noronha was homeward bound, having finished a 20-minute-long presentation regarding the market position of the company. Not that he was bad, either. Not that he was good, having had a fear of standing up and speaking in front of a crowd ever since PowerPoint made its way into his life back in college. Atleast he was better at it than that new Mallu guy - Dishanth Warrier - who seemed to spend more time tailing his boss and catching onto every word of his rather than working on curbing his ‘uh’ and ‘umm’ every time he did a presentation.

Incidentally, the boss was also a Mallu. Guess the wise men were right, he decided. Birds of a feather flock together.

The performance appraisal was supposed to be sometime this week, he thought. He had been expecting a promotion this time around. The boss had seemed pretty pleased with his work in the past 6 months. He even made it a point to congratulate him on the efforts he had put into his last two presentations. If not a promotion, he should be getting atleast a substantial increment. After all, what most companies did was dump even more bloody paperwork upon you once you got a promotion. David had been stuck at Executive for the past two years. Two and a half, he corrected himself almost immediately.

Mumbai local trains were rather peaceful around this time of the day. Or night, whatever you call it. He checked his watch. Twenty minutes past nine. Just a couple of minutes before Ghatkopar arrived, which was where he lived. Then a short distance walk to his home, maybe 10-15 minutes at most. For those who still aren’t aware, most Indians measure distances in time. The classic ones are those while giving directions. David chuckled to himself at the thought.

He had phoned his girlfriend Neeti earlier, letting her know he would be late. She said she understood. By her tone on the phone, he didn’t understand what it was exactly she understood. Never mind, he decided. She knew he often had to work long hours. She was an active volunteer for an NGO and she too often had to face the same thing. My Neeti’s got a heart of gold, he thought.

In the midst of his thoughts, he didn’t realize that he was finally at the entrance of his building. He reached his apartment, remembering to take the stairs on the way up - just as Neeti had told him to. He knocked on the door and moments later, he saw the face of his pretty girlfriend. Suddenly, he felt an urge to embrace her and kiss her like he did in the good old days of their relationship, with passion. But his tired body would only allow a mere peck on the cheek, which he did.

An hour later, after he had had a bath and eaten what his tired body would permit him to, he went and sat on the sofa, in front of the idiot box. He remembered one of his colleagues mentioning the T20 World Cup was on. Let me watch that, he thought.

“You won’t ask me how my day went?”

That was his girlfriend Neeti - who else could it be after all. She came and laid her head on his lap, lying down on the remaining part of the sofa. This was something that happened everyday, David reminded himself. Once dinner was done and he tried to watch television, Neeti did this and asked him the same question.

David obediently asked, “So how did your day go, Neeti?”

And Neeti switched onto her usual self, the talkative Neeti. How captivating she had been back then in college, he thought as he watched her. Those lovely lips of hers, her smile she gave to those in front of her every twenty seconds when she talked – he had fallen in love with her the moment he saw her speak at a Rotaract Club meeting. Love at first sight, as some might call it.

Neeti stopped all of a sudden and asked him, “What are you smiling at? Are you even listening? C’mon, tell me – what was I talking about just now?”

David honestly had no clue of what she was talking about. His thoughts had wandered and Neeti knew it.

She rose from the sofa and said rather disdainfully, “You don’t have time for me anymore. You’re no more the David I fell in love with.”

And before he could say anything, she stomped off to the bedroom.

Women, he thought, and their moods. She will be alright by tomorrow morning, he decided. Then he would try apologizing for his lack of attention at night.

By the time he had finished switching channels and switched off the idiot box so that he could retire to bed, Neeti was asleep. She was sleeping on the farther side of the bed, her face looking away from him. He wished he could see her lovely, peaceful face before succumbing to sleep, but all he got was disappointment.

*___*___*

The next morning when David woke up around seven, Neeti was not there. He looked at the calendar and discovered it was a Friday. Darn, it was the day of her early morning yoga classes. Monday, Wednesday and Friday – bloody hell. How could that slip off his mind? Usually, Neeti woke him up before leaving but today she didn’t. Still cross over last night, he decided. He’ll have to think something of cheering her up before he came home tonight - he made a mental note of it.

He got to office a few minutes before half past nine, which was when his day at the workplace started. As luck would have it, the first thing he saw when he stepped into the office was the pretty young female intern. He smiled at her and she smiled back at him, with a nod of acknowledgement. Sonali, her name was. One of his colleagues had once told him that he had heard from a female co-worker that Sonali had confessed to finding David ‘hot’ in some silly game called ‘Truth or Dare’. David had laughed when he first heard this, but he secretly knew that he was rather ruggedly handsome. However, now he looked like a bit inflated shadow of his former self.

It had not been an hour that he was told - the boss had called a meeting of his department and everyone had to assemble in the conference room in ten minutes. Performance appraisal, the first thought that came to his mind. He hurried to the conference room, half in anticipation, the other half also in anticipation as he rushed to grab a seat.

After a wait of 20 minutes or so, the boss came in. He started out with how the department had been doing in the past few months and how they could improve on their current showing. Get to the real stuff man, David cussed in his mind. The boss went on about this new move by the top management to introduce a new ‘Employee of the Month’ to recognize hard-working employees for their contribution and everyone around him clapped. What the fuck are they clapping for, David again wondered. These managerial bastards think as if this gimmick makes any fucking difference to the employees. All talk and no pay, that’s what this was all about.

“And the first-ever ‘Employee of the Month’ in our department is Mr. David Noronha! David, come on! Come up here, right in front of everyone!”

David was suddenly jolted back to reality on hearing those words from his boss, and as some of his fellow co-workers shouted ‘Yo David, you’re the man!’ and ‘Congrats Dave!’ while he made his way to the front. Once he got there, the boss congratulated him on this ‘wonderful achievement’ and spoke in glowing terms of how he had been such a diligent employee in the past few months and how the Personnel managers had been pleased with his performance. David felt himself go red in the face, out of both awkwardness as well as pleasant embarrassment.

“And finally, there is one more important announcement. I am happy to announce that there has been a promotion.”

David felt a sudden gulp in his throat. The big news – this was what actually mattered.

*___*___*

“He has worked really hard in recent months and I have been personally impressed by his perseverance. I’m sure that each of you feels the same and so this should not come across as a surprise.”

I’m already standing here, David thought as he sensed his expectations rising. He tried to keep them down at the same moment but he couldn’t. He caught a quick glimpse of some of his colleagues and even they were looking at him, with the same feeling of expectation. God knows I’ve worked hard for this and I deserve it, David thought.

“And the new Senior Executive is…”

He was already thinking of how Neeti would respond to this double bonanza of sorts. She would be so happy when I tell her this tonight.

“…Mr. Dishanth Warrier!”

David felt his knees almost give way as he watched Dishanth walk to the front, gloating to himself in pleasure while the others half-heartedly clapped. As he saw the boss shake Dishanth’s hand and say something in Malayalam in the latter’s ear, David felt like punching both of them in their faces. Bastards, the whole lot of them. He clenched his teeth to suppress his feelings until the meeting was over and rushed to the washroom once the boss had departed.

Anil, one of the few guys in office David was ‘friends’ with, came behind him while he washed his face repeatedly.

“Hard luck, Dave. Most of us feel you should’ve been promoted. I feel really sorry for you, man.”

David neither looked at him, nor did he say anything. Anil understood he wanted to be left alone, and so he did.

It was not long before it was lunch hour and David was sitting all alone on a table at the cafeteria. Out of the corner of his eye, he should see some of his co-workers look at him constantly and suddenly drop back to their conversations whenever he looked at them, as if nothing had happened. Even this is a bigger accomplishment than being the Employee of the Month – being the hot topic of everyone’s conversation – he mocked himself in his thoughts.

“Hey David, mind if I sit with you to have lunch?”

It was Sonali. He thought he heard someone go ‘Oooh’ when she asked him that. Ignoring that, he looked at her & gave her slight nod. She sat down in the chair opposite him.

She tried to make small talk of how his personal life was but all David could muster were answers in monosyllables. She then tried to make light of the situation by telling him an old corporate world joke but again all he could only return her a weak smile. She kept talking for 10 minutes or so before David rose up and said,

“Sonali, do you mind leaving me alone for some time? I’d like to spend some time by myself.”

“But I was just trying to cheer you up…”

“And I realize that. Now will you please leave?” he said rather curtly.

Embarrassed, Sonali left the cafeteria in a huff while everyone else looked on.

*___*___*

Back in his cubicle, amidst all the files and folders, David’s mind again wandered down memory lane. Dreams, friends, love, life, Neeti – all of it came back to him in a flash. He thought of his lifelong dream, something he had nurtured ever since he had watched this movie called ‘Triyatri’ in his early teens. It was a story of three teenagers who, encouraged by the grandfather of one of them, decided to undertake a cycling trip across India. It was one of the first movies he had watched and since then, he always had this dream of traveling across the country, only on a motorcycle. Motorcycles were cooler, he opined. After all, even Che Guevara traversed thousands of miles across South America on a motorcycle. He had bought a Bajaj Avenger back when it was first launched, since he couldn’t afford an Enfield and it made much lesser noise. He rarely rode it nowadays, apart from short distances or when he took Neeti shopping.

He remembered how close he had been to pursuing his much-cherished dream when he was job-hunting after graduating from college. He didn’t have much hope of getting a call from either of the companies he had interviewed for and had secretly packed his bags, just in case. And then came that phone call from this godforsaken place, which changed everything. Dreams had to be set aside for the moment and reality took over.

He had not unpacked that bag ever since. Maybe someday he would realize his dream, he believed.

His thoughts turned to Neeti. How she had laughed when he first told her of this and had remarked jokingly, “Over my dead body!” But today, he wasn’t sure she had been joking. But he still loved her. Else, why had he maintained his distance from Sonali, disrespecting the laws of attraction? He loved Neeti. Atleast he thought he did.

He felt this sudden urge to be near her. Only she could raise his damp spirits in such a situation. Maybe when he will get home, they will have their own little joke about him being awarded Employee of the Month and he will be happy again. He couldn’t wait any longer.

Normally he would leave office by eight but today was different. It was just a few minutes to six and David was already on his way home. Once he reached Ghatkopar, he entered the first gift shop that came his way and bought a bouquet of orchids for Neeti, her favourite. This would be the best way to apologize for last night, he decided.

He walked up to the door of his apartment, only to find it was ajar. Forgetful Neeti, he thought. But he was in no mood to pay attention to such trivial matters. Now, all he could think of was how much he loved his girlfriend. He went in.

And then when he heard him.

*___*___*

At first, he thought he was mistaken. Maybe I’m hallucinating, he thought. Rough day at the office, after all. But then he saw her. And him.

She was with another man. It was her yoga instructor, getting cozy with her. A romantic rendezvous, as she would call it. Horrified seeing his girlfriend, he shouted,

“Neeti!”

What ensued in the next few minutes are now etched in David’s mind like a blurred memory. Even to this day, David marvels at the composure he showed that evening. He had first asked the yoga instructor to leave immediately, without raising his voice for once. Once he had left, Neeti had pleaded to him to give her a chance to explain, but he wouldn’t hear any of it. He said he wanted to know nothing, and he just wanted her gone by morning. She might go to her parents, her friends or the yoga instructor or whomever she wanted to, but he wanted her gone.

For the first time since they had moved in, he and Neeti slept in separate rooms.

*___*___*

Six months had passed since that day.

Another day at the office. Paperwork and more bloody paperwork.

Dishanth Warrier had been promoted to the position of Deputy Manager for his ‘hard work’ and ‘perseverance’. David was still stuck at Executive, having won two more ‘Employee of the Month’ awards in the same amount of time. Bunch of Mallu bastards - the whole lot of them, he cussed under his breath.

Back in his cubicle, it was not long before David was again lost in his thoughts. He had thought about that blurred memory every day since Neeti left.

He didn’t sleep much that night but when he woke up, Neeti was indeed gone. She had left a note for him on her dressing table, but he hadn’t bothered to read it. Maybe he should have. He had just picked it up and tossed it into the waste bin.

She had called him many times later to provide an explanation. David had tried to ignore her calls but one evening when he had come back from office, Neeti was waiting for him at home. She had begged him to listen to her, and he had acceded to her pleas. Then she had gone on about how he had so little time for her, how he was always so busy working, how her yoga instructor had been there for her when she needed him and whatever she could complain about. He didn’t remember exactly what she had said anymore. Like all good men, he had not uttered a single word till Neeti said,

“Well, say something. Say something, David!”

All he had said in reply to her,

“Are you done? Then you can get your stuff sorted and move out with it as soon as possible?”

Neeti had left with all her stuff that night. He had not heard from her since then.

He finished his share of office work as soon as possible and slipped out of office around seven. It was another hour before he got home. He had to prepare dinner for himself but he wasn’t in the mood, like most days in the last few months. Another meal at the Chinese joint, he wondered. He was already getting bored of the cuisine, which once used to be among his favourite ones.

There was still over an hour before he usually ate his dinner. Out of boredom, he decided to switch on the idiot box. He kept on changing the channel, watching without any particular interest until he suddenly realized that he was seeing a familiar picture in front of him. On a movie channel that is well known for its broadcasting of classics, it was ‘Triyatri’ that he was watching at that moment. It had been a long time since he had last watched that movie, perhaps years. Memories flooded back instantly, happy memories. Not of Neeti, not anymore. But of the time he had spent planning his cross-country road trip.

And suddenly, he knew as if it were something of great cosmic significance. Today, he was sure of it just like he had been before he had taken that phone call.

Neeti was gone. To hell with her. What about his job? To hell with that godforsaken job. He could always find a better one, he thought. All his life, he had been weighed down by academic pressures, parental pressures, peer pressures, relationship pressures and work pressures. Somewhere amidst all this he had forgotten what he had been like - the David who had once dreamed of traveling and writing about his adventures on a blog. He tried hard to remember the last time he had done something without the burden of those pressures, but he was unable to. Somewhere along the way, that David had been lost.

His bags had not been unpacked ever since. Needs a bit of dusting, David thought. The Bajaj Avenger in the parking lot downstairs was there too, having waited for this moment as if it had been the only purpose of its existence. Only it will need refueling, and it was good to go. Atleast he thought it was.

He was going in search of the lost one. He was going in search of David Noronha.

Rooney to come through tough spell

2013-01-04T22:28:00.000+05:30

It’s fair to say that before his recent injury, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was having a below-par spell for the Premier League frontrunners.
The England international was one of the favourites in the Premier League betting to collect the golden boot this season but has struggled to hit the heights.
He had a game to forget against Swansea City last month at the Liberty Stadium and was given the hook by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Summer signing Robin van Persie has been taking much of the limelight at Old Trafford and rightly so.
The former Arsenal skipper has scored 16 goals in the Premier League so far and in recent games has formed a decent partnership with Mexican international Javier Hernandez, who has been chipping in with a few goals of late.
With Rooney out on the sidelines for a further two weeks with a knee injury, it’s not been the easiest spell for the former Everton starlet, who moved to the Red Devils back in 2004.
Ferguson has admitted it has been a blow to lose one of his stars to injury.
He said: "Wayne is still injured. It is not serious but it is going to take longer than we thought, probably another two weeks.
"He won't be fit for Liverpool. Hopefully another couple of weeks will sort it out. Nonetheless, it is a loss. You always want your best players available."
But with Rooney not at the peak of his powers punters who bet on football suspect it’s probably a better time to have the 27-year-old out on the sidelines than when he is banging in the goals.
There is no doubting Rooney’s ability and when the Three Lions striker gets back to full fitness, he will undoubtedly be causing problems for defenders and goalkeepers once again.

The Ten Best Books I've Read In 2012

2012-12-31T23:10:00.000+05:30

There were two things I originally intended to do as far as this post is concerned. I wanted to write this post on Christmas (given I got an unexpected week-long break from college) but I fell ill right on the first day. And secondly, I pondered over including all the great books I’ve read this year rather than a top-10 list but it’s just too much of an effort.

Now that I’m finally feeling okayish and 2012 isn’t over yet at the time of writing (atleast not in India), I’m gonna write about the ten best books I’ve read this year. This list isn’t like most lists which include books only from the current year (I’m penniless as far as that is concerned, okay?) but this list will include titles that have been published before and much, much before.

So in no particular order, here goes my list of the ten best books I’ve read in 2012 –

Band of Brothers [Pocket Books]

Author: Stephen E. Ambrose

First Published: 1992

Summary: They came together, citizen soldiers, in the summer of 1942, drawn to Airborne by the $50 monthly bonus and a desire to be better than the other guy. And at its peak -- in Holland and the Ardennes -- Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Divison, U.S. Army, was as good a rifle company as any in the world.

From the rigorous training in Georgia in 1942 to the disbanding in 1945, Stephen Ambrose tells the story of this remarkable company. In combat, the reward for a job well done is the next tough assignment, and as they advanced through Europe, the men of Easy kept getting the tough assignments.

They parachuted into France early D-Day morning and knocked out a battery of four 105 mm cannon looking down Utah Beach; they parachuted into Holland during the Arnhem campaign; they were the Battered Bastards of the Bastion of Bastogne, brought in to hold the line, although surrounded, in the Battle of the Bulge; and then they spearheaded the counteroffensive. Finally, they captured Hitler's Bavarian outpost, his Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden.

They were rough-and-ready guys, battered by the Depression, mistrustful and suspicious. They drank too much French wine, looted too many German cameras and watches, and fought too often with other GIs. But in training and combat they learned selflessness and found the closest brotherhood they ever knew. They discovered that in war, men who loved life would give their lives for them.

This is the story of the men who fought, of the martinet they hated who trained them well, and of the captain they loved who led them. E Company was a company of men who went hungry, froze, and died for each other, a company that took 150 percent casualties, a company where the Purple Heart was not a medal -- it was a badge of office.

Review: Okay, I did say this list is in no particular order but this was on top of my list. The book might require a bit of patience at the start but once you are into it, there’s no letting go. A tale of bravery, courage, friendship and brotherhood (as the name suggests) in the midst of adversity and triumph. Look out for the ‘million-dollar-wound’. A MUST READ for those interested in history of the World Wars. I’d recommend it to everyone.

Child 44 [Pocket Books]

Author: Tom Rob Smith

First Published: 2008

Summary: Stalin's Soviet Union strives to be a paradise for its workers, providing for all of their needs. One of its fundamental pillars is that its citizens live free from the fear of ordinary crime and criminals.

But in this society, millions do live in fear . . . of the State. Death is a whisper away. The mere suspicion of ideological disloyalty - owning a book from the decadent West, the wrong word at the wrong time - sends millions of innocents into the Gulags or to their executions. Defending the system from its citizens is the MGB, the State Security Force. And no MGB officer is more courageous, conscientious, or idealistic than Leo Demidov.

A war hero with a beautiful wife, Leo lives in relative luxury in Moscow - even providing a decent apartment for his parents. His only ambition has been to serve his country. For this greater good, he has arrested and interrogated.

Then the impossible happens. A different kind of criminal-a murderer-is on the loose, killing at will. At the same time, Leo finds himself demoted and denounced by his enemies, his world turned upside down, and every belief he's ever held shattered. The only way to save his life and the lives of his family is to uncover this criminal. But in a society that is officially paradise, it's a crime against the State to suggest that a murderer-much less a serial killer-is in their midst. Exiled from his home, with only his wife, Raisa, remaining at his side, Leo must confront the vast resources and reach of the MBG to find and stop a criminal that the State won't admit even exists.

Review: I count myself lucky the day I came across this book in a second-hand bookstore. A fast-paced crime thriller based on real-life events and set in Stalinist Russia, this is an absolute page-turner and its no-nonsense prose from the very start pulls you into the world Tom Rob Smith envisions. This is not just another crime thriller - it provides excellent insight on how difficult and terrifying life was in Soviet Russia during the Cold War. This book is an achievement given it was Smith’s debut novel and it was duly recognized through a host of awards and nominations such as the Man Booker Prize longlist and the winner of the CWA Steel Dagger, to name a few. I recommend this as a MUST READ for everyone, especially for fans of crime fiction.

(‘Child 44’ is the first instalment of the Leo Demidov trilogy and it is followed by two acclaimed instalments – ‘The Secret Speech’ and ‘Agent 6’.)

Schindler’s Ark [Sceptre]

Author: Thomas Keneally

First Published: 1982

Summary: In the shadow of Auschwitz, a flamboyant German industrialist grew into a living legend to the Jews of Cracow. He was a womaniser and heavy drinker who enjoyed the good life, yet to them he became a saviour.

Thomas Keneally's Booker Prize-winning novel recreates the story of Oskar Schindler, an Aryan who risked his life to protect Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland, who continually defied and outwitted the SS, and who was transformed by the war into an angel of mercy. It is an unforgettable tale, all the more extraordinary for being true.

Review: This is one of those few books that moved me to tears quite a number of times. An extraordinary book that was the result of the efforts of Poldek Pfefferberg, a Schindler survivor, who made it his life’s mission to ensure that Oskar Schindler’s story did not remain untold. Thomas Keneally traces the story of Schindler with the backdrop of Germany during WWII and does it brilliantly. Filled with horrifying incidents of cruelty as well as endearing moments of kindness, this book is a masterpiece and will stay with you for a long time. A MUST READ for readers across all genres.

Nineteen Eighty-Four [Jainco Publishers]

Author: George Orwell

First Published: 1949

Summary: Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal.

Written in 1948, 1984 was George Orwell's chilling prophecy about the future. And while the year 1984 has come and gone, Orwell's narrative is timelier than ever. 1984 presents a startling and haunting vision of the world, so powerful that it is completely convincing from start to finish. No one can deny the power of this novel, its hold on the imaginations of multiple generations of readers, or the resiliency of its admonitions. A legacy that seems only to grow with the passage of time.

Review: I’ve read only two of George Orwell’s works – the other one being his memoir ‘Down and Out in Paris and London’. And he’s already one of my all-time favourite novelists. Orwell gives us a vivid picture of what ‘hell on earth’ would look like in this terrifying dystopian science fiction novel. The technologies described are synchronous with quite a number of the ones seen in today’s world and many words used in this novel have found their place in English vocabulary. ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ is a book that will remain a great work of modern literature for generations to come.

To Kill A Mockingbird [Mass Market Paperback]

Author: Harper Lee

First Published: 1960

Summary: The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it. To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.

Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior—to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos. Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into forty languages, this regional story, by a young Alabama woman, claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.

Review: Not much remains to be said about this book. This is another one that made me numb. A book full of unforgettable characters and a narrative that makes you question whether the goodness in human beings can inspire social change or not. A timeless classic that again falls into the MUST READ category and transcends readers across all genres.

Inverting the Pyramid [Orion Books]

Author: Jonathan Wilson

First Published: 2008

Summary: For soccer fans, following, discussing, and arguing about the tactics a manager puts into play are part of what makes the sport so appealing. This fascinating study traces the history of soccer tactics back from such modern pioneers as Rinus Michels, Valeriy Lobanovskyi, Catenaccio, and Herbert Chapman. Along the way, author Jonathan Wilson, an erudite and detailed writer who never loses a sense of the grand narrative sweep, takes a look at the lives of the great players and thinkers who shaped the game, and discovers why the English in particular have proved themselves so "unwilling to grapple with the abstract." This will be a modern classic of soccer writing that followers of the game will dip into again and again.

Review: This is a book for those looking for something far more intellectual than reading one of those footballers’ ghost-written autobiographies that are churned with alarming regularity every year. Jonathan Wilson’s masterpiece of football literature gives us a detailed account of the evolution of tactics and provides valuable insight on how and why some teams have continued to play a certain style of football over decades. A MUST READ for all football fans.

Manchester United: The Biography [Sphere]

Author: Jim White

First Published: 2008

Summary: Following the club’s extraordinary journey from its birth in the railway works of Newton Heath to its current status as the biggest club in world soccer, this is a fascinating history of a remarkable team. The key stages in Manchester United’s history are covered: the Munich Air Crash of 1958, which saw the best part of an entire team (the Busby Babes) being killed; becoming the first English team to win the European Cup in 1968 (with Bobby Charlton and George Best); the dominance of the club in the Premiership; the controversial sale to American tycoon Malcolm Glazer; right up to Moscow 2008. By drawing on the recollections of everyone from players and managers to fans and backroom staff, enough new material has been unearthed to interest fans and casual supporters.

Review: There are Manchester United fans who take more interest in reading every autobiography of Wayne Rooney but prefer to remain blissfully unaware of the history of the club they support. Jim White does a spectacular retelling of the history of Manchester United Football Club like a fan (yes, a fan) possessed and gives us a book that every Manchester United fan across the globe will cherish for the rest of his life.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time [Vintage]

Author: Mark Haddon

First Published: 2003

Summary: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is a murder mystery novel like no other. The detective, and narrator, is Christopher Boone. Christopher is fifteen and has Asperger's Syndrome. He knows a very great deal about maths and very little about human beings. He loves lists, patterns and the truth. He hates the colours yellow and brown and being touched. He has never gone further than the end of the road on his own, but when he finds a neighbour's dog murdered he sets out on a terrifying journey which will turn his whole world upside down.

This improbable story of Christopher's quest to investigate the suspicious death of a neighborhood dog makes for one of the most captivating, unusual, and widely heralded novels in recent years.

Review: The book’s most unique aspect is the narrative – it’s exactly how you would imagine a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome. Christopher Boone endears himself to you over the course of the book and the prose ensures that the book is never too difficult to read. This book won the Whitbread Novel of the Year and a nomination on the Booker longlist among others and to sum it up, it’s a children’s book not for children.

Inside Steve’s Brain [Portfolio]

Author: Leander Kahney

First Published: 2008

Summary: Steve Jobs has turned his personality traits into a business philosophy. Here is how he does it.

It’s hard to believe that one man revolutionized computers in the 1970s and ‘80s (with the Apple II and the Mac), animated movies in the 1990s (with Pixar), and digital music in the 2000s (with the iPod and iTunes). No wonder some people worship him like a god. On the other hand, stories of his epic tantrums and general bad behavior are legendary.

Inside Steve’s Brain cuts through the cult of personality that surrounds Jobs to unearth the secrets to his unbelievable results. It reveals the real Steve Jobs - not his heart or his famous temper, but his mind. So what’s really inside Steve’s brain? According to Leander Kahney, who has covered Jobs since the early 1990s, it’s a fascinating bundle of contradictions.

Jobs is an elitist who thinks most people are bozos but he makes gadgets so easy to use, a bozo can master them.

He’s a mercurial obsessive with a filthy temper but he forges deep partnerships with creative geniuses like Steve Wozniak, Jonathan Ive, and John Lasseter.

He’s a Buddhist and anti-materialist but he produces mass-market products in Asian factories, and he promotes them with absolute mastery of the crassest medium, advertising.

In short, Jobs has embraced the traits that some consider flaws - narcissism, perfectionism, the desire for total control to lead Apple and Pixar to triumph against steep odds. And in the process, he has become a self-made billionaire.

In Inside Steve’s Brain, Kahney distills the principles that guide Jobs as he launches killer products, attracts fanatically loyal customers, and manages some of the world’s most powerful brands.

The result is this unique book about Steve Jobs that is part biography and part leadership guide, and impossible to put down. It gives you a peek inside Steve’s brain, and might even teach you something about how to build your own culture of innovation.

Review: I was initially not hoping too much for this book, having gone looking for Steve Jobs’ official biography or ‘i-Con’ at the annual Strand Book Fair. As luck would have it, both were sold out by the time I got there and so I settled for this book. And what a pleasant surprise this book proved to be! Leander Kahney dissects every chapter in the life of Jobs the entrepreneur with aplomb. The best thing about this book is that you don’t need to make notes while you’re reading or done with it – there is a comprehensive section dedicated to that after every chapter. Apple fans and those who wish to understand the marketing genius of Steve Jobs – this is the book for you.

About A Boy [Penguin Books]

Author: Nick Hornby

First Published: 1998

Summary: Will is thirty-six, comfortable and child-free. And he's discovered a brilliant new way of meeting women - through single-parent groups. Marcus is twelve and a little bit nerdish: he's got the kind of mother who made him listen to Joni Mitchell rather than Nirvana. Perhaps they can help each other out a little bit, and both can start to act their age.

Review: Most fans of Nick Hornby’s novels will claim his first novel ‘High Fidelity’ was his best but I rate ‘About A Boy’ higher. ‘High Fidelity’ was a story of extremes (no complaints) but ‘About A Boy’ is a much more refined novel in many ways – the characters, the relationships and the manner in which Hornby makes this novel work is astounding to say the least. A light-hearted novel that will make you laugh out with its irrepressible humour, awkward situations and characters you just can’t stop loving.

So that’s the ten best books I discovered this year. But hey, that’s not all! There were quite a few more that deserve a mention alongwith the aforementioned books and they are as under:

The Damned United by David Peace

A brilliant ‘factional’ account of Brian Clough’s ill-fated reign at Leeds United that lasted 44 days.

The Constant Gardener and Absolute Friends by John le Carre

The first is a political thriller so unlike John le Carre’s earlier novels while the latter is vintage stuff.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

One of the funniest books I’ve read in my life. Would’ve enjoyed it much more had I read this some five years ago when I was still a teenager.

Shutter Island and Mystic River by Dennis Lehane

Both books are engaging and absolute page-turners. For those who love suspense and American noir.

Serious: The Autobiography by John McEnroe

A cracking read about the life of tennis legend John McEnroe that gets better with every page you read.

That's all Folks!

Wishing you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2013!

United are Comeback Kings

2012-12-31T19:06:00.004+05:30

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has revealed that he thinks that other teams fear the Reds going into the closing stages of games and that gives his side an advantage.

Fletcher, who has recently returned to the United side after nearly a year on the sidelines with a bowel complaint, has won the Premier League title four times during his career and over that time he has seen his team put together many memorable comebacks. "The never-say-die attitude is ingrained in this club," said Fletcher. "It comes from the players, who believe in themselves, and opposition teams, who fear it.”

Manchester United certainly have a reputation of snatching points from losing positions and this season they have already taken 21 points from games that they have been behind in- 6 points more than their nearest rivals Manchester City. Coincidentally, their lead over City in the Premier League currently stands at 6 points, and Fletcher is clear that the fighting spirit and the attitude of the players have been key drivers in their rise to the top of the table.

"The club has such a history of it you almost expect it to happen. We have a great bunch of players with a great attitude” Fletcher said. “We will fight right to the very end. And the history of the club definitely plays a part.

Manchester United not only have a reputation for having a never-say-die attitude in individual games but also in long, drawn out fights for the title. Sir Alex Ferguson has been written off too many times before, only for his side to de-rail a rival’s bid for the title. After last season’s failure to pick up any silverware United certainly seem to have the bit between their teeth and if they continue to show the form that they have in recent weeks then they won’t need to worry about overhauling anyone this year...they could have the title wrapped up by Easter.

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Ferguson Right to keep Nani

2012-12-31T15:44:00.001+05:30

Sir Alex Ferguson once again had to deflect speculation linking Nani to a rival Premier League club after rumours surfaced on Betfair suggesting that the Portuguese winger was set to leave Old Trafford this January.

Speaking at a press conference in late December, the Manchester United manager denied any reports linking Nani with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur and instead insisted the 26-year-old was still part of his squad plans.

“We need a Nani. He offers something different from the other players,” said Ferguson. “Yes he has a future. Absolutely. Why would I want to let him go?”

Indeed, Ferguson does need Nani but as nothing more than a backup player, as better men either develop or are signed in his place. Nani has never fully lived up to the hype that surrounded him when he moved to Manchester in 2007 and had made just 11 appearances for United this season at the time Ferguson was quizzed.

Antonio Valencia, Tom Cleverley, and Ashley Young all start before Nani and all perform to a higher standard when required, stimulating rumours the winger was set to depart this January.

But why should Ferguson sell to a Premier League rival one of his talented assets? While Nani may not be getting games at Old Trafford, he is nevertheless a good player and would improve both Arsenal and Tottenham’s squads; it would be folly for Ferguson to bolster a rival’s team, something he very rarely does.

The last time he sold to Arsenal it was Mikael Silvestre, who turned out to be awful, while Teddy Sheringham was an old man when he was allowed to move on a free to White Hart Lane in 2001.

No, if Nani is to depart United, he will go either abroad or to an English club not challenging for European places. Arsenal and Spurs do right to look elsewhere and not waste their time with a player whose manager would only sell for an over-inflated amount of money.

Fond of gambling on football? Make your New Year’s resolution to engage in football in-play betting on Betfair.

Carrick hails Scholes influence

2012-11-26T19:10:00.001+05:30

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has plenty of experience of first class football but he has admitted he is still learning all the time from veteran Paul Scholes.
Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been keen to use Scholes’ influence since bringing him out of retirement last season.
The 38-year-old has been used sparingly this season but did start in United’s 3-2 victory over Aston Villa.
Scholes continues to be rock solid in the middle of the park for United and it’s no wonder why Ferguson has been keen to keep the former England international going as long as possible, despite being linked with Wesley Sneijder yet again .
Carrick is another big admirer of the veteran and has admitted his influence even spreads to the older members of the squad at Old Trafford.
The 31-year-old said: "Paul Scholes is a genius. It is fantastic to play with him.
"Whether he realises or not, he has helped me enormously just by watching him and taking things in.
"We all know what he can do. But there are some things you simply cannot teach. You can learn but some of the stuff only he can do."
United have made a strong start to their Premier League campaign and are well placed in the Champions league betting after securing their passage to the knock-out stages with two games to spare. if they were to claim their 20th league title, there would be little doubt that Scholes would have had a big impact on that success.
Whether it’s scoring the goals, making an impact off the bench or just giving advice on the training paddock; it would be hard to put a price on how much Scholes’ influence is a positive at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand Coy over New Contract

2012-11-21T17:06:00.003+05:30

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he is in no rush to sign a new contract, despite his current deal coming to an end in the summer.
Manchester United have a history of nurturing their star players to eek extra years from tiring legs, with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes both playing regular soccer games well into their late thirties, and Sir Alex Ferguson believes that, at 33, Ferdinand could still have at least another couple of seasons in him yet.
Despite Ferguson’s confidence, Ferdinand would rather re-assess at Christmas before committing his future to United. "The best thing to do is look at it at Christmas, then again in the summer to see how I am feeling and go again from there” Ferdinand said. "But hearing the manager say things like that definitely puts a spring in your step."
With Ferdinand’s England career seemingly over he is now free to concentrate on his club football and he seems convinced that his omission from Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2012 squad has helped him to ensure that he has been consistently available this season.
"I think it has but I will have a better idea in December and January when the games start coming thick and fast," he added. "That's when it really hits you, you know the hard work has to start and you begin to think about the home stretch.”
Given recent events off the field, Rio Ferdinand could be forgiven for wanting to walk away from football at the end of this season, despite many Premier League predictions tipping him to stay on.
Whilst Ferdinand will no doubt look back at his England career with some regrets he has enjoyed huge amounts of success at Old Trafford and, if this is to be his last season, he will surely be pushing to ensure that his club career ends in triumph rather than fizzling out in the way that his time with the national team did.

Vidic is a Big Miss for Fergie

2012-11-05T17:30:00.003+05:30

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that his talismanic captain, Namanja Vidic, is now likely to be out until Christmas.
Vidic underwent knee surgery in September and had initially hoped to be back by mid-November but it nows seems that Ferguson is resigned to losing the Serbian international for a few more weeks yet.
"I think we're talking around December for Vidic," Ferguson told sport news reporters. "Maybe around Christmas time."
31-year old Vidic missed much of last season after injuring his knee against Basel in December and he was forced to watch as his side endured their first trophy-less season since 2004-05.
It is impossible to say whether or not Ferguson’s side would have won anything last season had Vidic been fit but they were only one point away from retaining the title. Had Vidic been available for more of the season, they would surely have seen out one or two of the soccer games that they really should have won towards the end of the year and they could have won the league at a canter.
Last season Ferguson called upon a number of deputies to step in to Vidic’s shoes, but none provided the reassurance that the big Serb brings. Having failed to bring in any extra cover in the summer, Ferguson will again be relying on the likes of Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones to partner Rio Ferdinand at the back.

Given the injury problems that all of United’s defensive options have experienced their squad is beginning to look a little thin. Whilst Vidic’s absence doesn’t seem to have cost Ferguson just yet, he will be praying that the former Spartak Moscow man comes back as soon as possible.

If Vidic doesn’t make it back in December then it’s just possible that the Old Trafford faithful might have to put up with another fruitless season in 2012-13.

10 years of Wayne Rooney

2012-10-19T16:28:00.000+05:30

Ten years on from his wonder goal against Arsenal, the young scamp that turned so many heads in British football has developed into a marmite player that splits opinion throughout the footballing world.
Wayne Rooney has graced the Premier League for a decade now and fans and pundits alike in the betting world have been considering whether or not the Liverpudlian has fulfilled his early potential.
Of course he has.
Rooney, like him or loathe him, has been a consistent wonder to watch over the past 10 seasons. That goal against Arsenal when he was just a spotty youth of 16 in an oversized Everton shirt was just the start of things to come. A handful of goals for his boyhood club was enough for Sir Alex Ferguson to invest a reported £20m in the striker and that hat-trick debut for Manchester United is something very few Reds fans will ever forget.
People ask how you gage success and trophies and goals usually come pretty high up. Fast forward to thePremier League 2012-13 and Rooney has lifted four league titles and two FA Cups with United, plus the 2007/08 Champions League crown.

His 200 club goals are no mean feat for a player who’s best position is widely regarded as behind the main striker, and 32 in 78 England appearances is a record very few can beat.
Compared to others of his generation, neither Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi of Argentina have managed to lift a major trophy for their respective countries so criticism that Rooney has not yet done it for England can be dismissed.
Indeed, if you want to know just how well Rooney’s career has gone so far then ask an average United fan. He may have had his scrapes in the past, but Rooney’s passion and drive to play for the team has endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful over the years – certainly punters logging onto http://betting.betfair.com/football/leedixon/lee-dixon-goals-look-a-certainty-as-united-go-to-chelsea-261012-11.html agree.
He is able to play in various striking combinations with a number of team-mates and this all-round quality proves Rooney has fulfilled the trust Sir Alex put in him all those years ago.

Is it time for Vidic to move on?

2012-10-15T17:06:00.002+05:30

Nemanja Vidic’s future at Manchester United looks increasingly uncertain amid rumours two of Europe’s top clubs are chasing him, following his drop down the Old Trafford pecking order thanks a fresh injury on top of his eight-month lay off last season.

Vidic, a firm favourite with the United crowd, endured a serious knee injury during his side’s 2-1 defeat to Basel in the UEFA Champions League group stage and played just five games until limping off again last month.

His spell on the sidelines has given fellow centre-halves Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling the opportunity to prove themselves in his position and all three have not looked out of place at the back, especially in last weekend’s convincing 3-0 win at Newcastle.

With United reportedly looking to further strengthen their defence in January, there may be little room for Vidic and with increased speculation both Juventus and Barcelona are interested in the 30-year-old it may be time for Vidic to move on.

Although many would view a transfer as an admittance that his career is on the wain, switching to another of Europe’s top clubs would certainly have its benefits. Both Barca and Juve would offer a slower game for Vidic to wind down his career and he would still play Champions League football.

Financially, his weekly wage would unlikely depreciate as Patrick Vieira – reportedly on £130,000 a week at Inter Milan despite being 30 when they signed him - can testify, plus the Serbian would benefit from a hefty signing on fee.

For United, they could expect a decent transfer fee for a player that struggles with his fitness and could reinvest such a sum in a young defender for the future, boosting their Barclays Premier League title odds in the process.

Vidic does still have his qualities but with his age and injury record Sir Alex Ferguson may well cash in on the defender before he runs out of stream for good.

Kagawa Making Waves

2012-09-29T15:38:00.000+05:30

The most high-profile signing made by Manchester United in the summer transfer window was quite obviously Robin van Persie, and the former Arsenal striker inevitably captured the headlines with a goal on his debut, followed by a match-winning hat-trick at Southampton.

But Sir Alex Ferguson’s other, less-heralded summer signings have also made an immediate impact.

Fans betting on Champions League quickly warmed to their new marauding left back, Alex Buttner, who capped an all-action display with a fabulous solo effort against Wigan.

And Nick Powell, the 18-year-old midfielder from Crewe, also thumped in a goal in that game on his first appearance for the club.

But perhaps the most impressive contribution to Man United’s decent start to the season has come from Shinji Kagawa.

The ill-informed rolled their eyes when Ferguson signed Borrussia Dortmund’s playmaker, cynically assuming it was more to do with pleasing the Red Devils’ huge, lucrative Japanese fan base rather than actually bolstering United’s ageing midfield.

But Kagawa has very quickly demonstrated that he is the real deal; quick and imaginative with two good feet and with a first instinct to attack.

Early impressions are that he is a better player than Ji Sung Park (another who raised eyebrows when he was signed); the South Korean was also a massive influence on some of United’s biggest European nights.

Kagawa has an even better eye for goal (he scored 21 league goals in 49 appearances for Dortmund), but his value will surely now be more as an attacking midfielder who sets up United’s formidable strike force with his cute link-up play and clever use of space.

He has faded a little towards the end of his games for United so far, but that is to be expected, as he gets used to the pace of the Premier League. Kagawa already looks good and we have not seen the best of him yet.

Perhaps today we will: The Big Match Tactical View: Man Utd v Tottenham.

Rooney admits weight concerns

2012-09-05T20:05:00.001+05:30

Wayne Rooney has revealed is his new book that he often returned to pre-season training with Manchester United over-weight and that is has been a constant battle throughout his career.

The England forward is currently recovering after suffering a deep gash to his thigh in the closing stages of United’s win over Fulham a fortnight ago.

Rooney had been dropped from the starting line-up for that game admits rumours of a bust-up with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Scot then fired a coded warning to Rooney while talking to sport news reporters about his recovery from his latest injury, stressing that it was important he “went to the gym” while recovering and that his injury would not prevent him from doing so.

Now Rooney has admitted himself that he struggles with his weight and sticking to the strict dietary lifestyle laid down by the Barclays premier league giants.

Speaking about returning for duty with the Red Devils in 2009, Rooney wrote: "Early July: the first day back at pre-season training. I'm like most blokes, I put on a few pounds after a holiday.

“Even if I don't train for a week, I put on two or three, but when I get back to Carrington for the first day of work, I'm in for a shock. The scales in the club gym tell me I've put on a few more pounds than expected – seven. Seven!

"Then I remember – I drank a few bevvies while I was away. I'm stocky. I'm not like Ryan Giggs, all bone and lean muscle. But I gain weight quite easily.”

The news will be of concern for United fans, who need such a star player like Rooney to be performing at his peak.

It also makes you wonder how long a ruthless manager like Sir Alex Ferguson will stand for such fitness issues. The Scot has shown in the past that he shows not sentiment when it comes to replacing players in his squad and it could well be that Rooney becomes a sensational casualty of Ferguson’s Old Trafford re-building.

Rooney Ready for Another 10 Years

2012-08-23T16:51:00.001+05:30

Manchester United and England striker, Wayne Rooney has revealed his desire to play on for another 10 years; a prospect that will no doubt cheer the United fateful but will send a chill through premier league defenders up and down the country.

Rooney, 26, has been terrorising defences since making his debut for Everton against Tottenham 10 years ago, and, despite the time that has passed; he says that he still feels fresh now, over 400 games later, something punters betting on the Champions League will be happy to hear .

“I'm still fairly young,” he said. “I feel young anyway.”

Despite being a star on the international stage, having won 76 caps for England since his debut in 2003, and being a star in European club football, it seems that Rooney is still more than happy to be plying his trade in the Premier League. “It's great to have played in the Premier League for 10 years” Rooney said. “It's an exciting league and I still feel exactly the same about my football as I did when I made my debut..... It does feel like a long time ago, though” he added.

When Rooney left Everton for Manchester United following the European Championships in 2004 it was clear that he was destined for big things but even could he not have expected the domestic and European success that he has had. Since his Old Trafford switch, Rooney has won the Premier League four times and the Champions league once and, it seems he is hungry for yet more success; “I just hope I can play for another 10 years and have as much enjoyment as I did in my first 10” Rooney said.

The current campaign has not got off to the best of starts, with the Red Devils going down 1-0 at Rooney’s old club Everton on Monday night. However, with Robin van Persie now on board, the duo have the potential to form a deadly strike partnership.

If he can continue to play at the same level for the next ten years then Wayne Rooney will go down as one of the greatest English footballers of all time. And if he sees out his career at Manchester United then Sir Alex Ferguson’s side can surely look forward to much more silverware in the coming seasons.

United avoid Shield distraction

2012-08-14T15:46:00.003+05:30

Manchester United fans should be rightly pleased that they took no part in the Community Shield last weekend, with Sir Alex Fergusson able to focus solely on the new season.

Although not participating in the Shield means United were unsuccessful in claiming either the FA Cup or Premier League title last term, their absence should prove productive in the opening stages of the new season.

For while Man City and Chelsea both proved their squads are somewhat under-strength, exposing weaknesses that can be capitalised upon by opponents early in the season, United remain an enigma going into a new campaign - something punters betting on the Champions League or Premier League have found frustrating.

However, for Sir Alex it is a blessing that he has had the opportunity to hold his cards close to his chest. The fitness of Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic won’t be strained for another week, and it gives new boys Nick Powell and Shinji Kagawa more time to settle down - see Eden Hazard’s performance on Sunday for an example of a player trying to do too much, too soon.

Last season United beat a City side buoyant off the back of their FA Cup win and hurting from seeing the Reds win a record 19th league title. City looked as much a mess as Chelsea did this time around, and were it not for a swerving Edin Dzeko shot that caught David de Gea off-guard on his debut United would have run out clear winners that day.

Granted, United used their Shield win as a springboard to five Premier League wins on the trot and 12 games without defeat, but this season is different in that Sir Alex has a settled squad focussed on the task in hand; Kagawa and Powell enter a team rather than a bunch of new faces.

The Premier League is our number one priority this season, and the sooner we get stuck into the action the better.

Fletcher Presence should Boost Scotland

2012-08-05T16:08:00.000+05:30

The news that Scotland captain, Darren Fletcher, is to train with his national team-mates next week will be warmly received by Craig Levein’s squad, as they prepare for another World Cup qualifying campaign.

Fletcher will not play any part in Scotland’s friendly with Australia at Easter Road later this month, but his mere presence at the training ground will do wonders for the team.

The Manchester United star has not played competitive football for 10 months, after being diagnosed with a chronic bowel problem. He was greatly missed in the heart of United’s midfield, his absence prompting Paul Scholes out of retirement to fill the gap.

Although still a long way off full fitness, the Scot is back on the training ground and preparing for a comeback this autumn.

In continuing his captain duties for Scotland, the 28-year-old has demonstrated his desire to aid his country to World Cup qualification, and act as adviser for new players in the squad.

For Fletcher has no obligation to join the Scotland squad for a meaningless friendly. He is still unwell and he could have opted to stay at Carrington and continue his rehabilitation closer to home.

It is commendable that he has such a strong passion for his national side that, even though unable to play a part on the pitch, he is willing to take time out to join the squad and aid its development.

Watch out for Fletcher’s return, and see how Scotland reacts during their October qualifiers against Wales and Belgium.

The Scots have a solid base, with Levein as manager, and a long-term leader in Fletcher. We can only hope his fitness can regain its former high standard, and maybe the Scots can once more embark on a World Cup tour.

Follow the link for the latest Premier League news, including Harry Redknapp’s outlook for Sunday’s season prequel: City can pip Chelsea in close Community Shield.