The Busby Babe

Cleverley to Wigan

2010-08-31T18:21:28Z

Cleverley to Wigan

I mentioned this when the rumor first surfaced but I like Wigan as a destination for Tom. It's a Premier League team so he should get some time on the pitch against top quality opposition and Roberto Martinez encourages his teams to get the ball down and pass it and I think that will help Cleverley develop as a player.

There is also a lot of rumors about a bid for Jack Rodwell floating around. I hate rumors and I hate acknowledging them but I love Rodwell and I want him at United.

A Monday morning poll question

2010-08-30T17:57:57Z

Phil Cole - Getty Images

Paul Scholes seemingly ageless is very encouraging. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

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Well another win in the bag against a weak opponent in West Ham has United right in Chelsea's slipstream where we like to be. SAF always seems to favor being just on the shoulder of the leaders and then at the start of the new year United kick it into gear. So far so good as far as United are concerned. Would we have liked to have gotten 3 points against Fulham? Obviously. And we should have gotten them. But other teams will drop points to Fulham this season so it could have been worse.

I thought in light of the fact that we are 3 games into the new season I would get a feel for what you have liked so far about United. What you are most encouraged about. So a poll question is in order.

Poll

What have you found most encouraging about United's first 3 matches?

Manchester United vs West Ham Game Thread

2010-08-28T14:00:32Z

Clive Mason - Getty Images

Wayne Rooney will be looking for goals for the first time since before the World Cup (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

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United host West Ham and need to score some goals. No one needs goals more so than Wayne Rooney. Here's hoping United run riot.

Game Thread On.........

Fergie protects his Bebe and West Ham preview

2010-08-27T18:09:45Z

Pool - Getty Images

The old master still knows how to protect and motivate his players (Photo by Jason Cairnduff-Pool/Getty Images)

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I thought I would start with a classic example of why Sir Alex is one of the top managers in the history of the game. The man is just an absolute genius when it comes to man managing and his reaction to the reports surrounding Bebe were pitch perfect. This is why the players at this club perform to such a high level so often. Even if the reports were true by coming out strongly in support of the young player Fergie has shown Bebe that he is at a club where the manager will protect him. I mean honestly at this point who could this young man not give everything he possibly has on the pitch to try to thank Fergie. The other players see this as well and most of them have experienced it. It's very rare when Fergie gets this sort of situation wrong. He supports them when they need it and kicks them up the back side when they need it. It worked with Nani and I am hoping this season we will see the results with Anderson as well.

So on to the West Ham match this weekend. A match that we should win. A match that we need to score some goals in as well. But the thing with West Ham is that they really get up for United. We are their cup final as the old expression goes. We at Old Trafford though which helps so long as the fans don't get too anxious too early. West Ham used to be a bit of a bogey side for United including an embarrassing FA Cup defeat some years back when Paolo Di Canio made Barthez look a little foolish.But recent results really favor United. With 5 straight wins and only one goal allowed in that time. West Ham are also coming into the match in really bad form. So what does that all add up to? Probably a nail biting one-nil United win. Ideally a 3 or 4 nil victory and a goal for Rooney.

West Ham look set to go with a 5 man midfield and a lone striker and will most likely play defensively forcing United to break them down. It also appears as though Paul Scholes, our chief midfield breaker downer, could be rested with Ryan Giggs drawing into the game from the start. Rooney looks set to partner Berba up front. For West Ham the key men will be Parker and Noble two very good players in the middle of the park. If they can keep the battle in the middle of the park fairly even it will give West Ham an outlet for some attacks. If not? West Ham will spend most of the match defending in their own half.

Any predictions? I am going to say 3-0 with two for Rooney and one for Berba.

Champions League draw pool

2010-08-25T22:14:33Z

Shaun Botterill - Getty Images

She looks better in United Red. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

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OK so based on leghumpingjihadkiller's fanpost about the Champions League draw I figured we should do a pool. Guess the teams that United will face in the Champions League correctly to win a prize. I will provide the winner with a vintage Manchester United kit.

So it's simple. Pick the three teams that will face United in the Champions league group stage and you can win. This will be first come first served. So if someone already picked the teams you wanted tough luck.

UEFA has a page up in case you need a refresher on the rules for the draw.

Mourinho shows Wenger how to be classy.....

2010-08-25T19:42:27Z

The Special one shows the Voyeur how to show the proper respect for a true footballing great.

Mourinho told the Telegraph: "Scholes? Fantastic. For me, why isn't he playing for England. It is crazy. Only in England. Scholes is a great, great player So experienced and still, for me, one of the best in the world in midfield. Manchester United are lucky to have him."

Also on United and Liverpool Mourinho had interesting comments.

"Manchester United would be a great challenge for me. But Liverpool is not the club for me. I know why, but I cannot tell you."

Here is a link to the full article.

A quick thank you

2010-08-23T16:53:31Z

Phil Cole - Getty Images

LONDON ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Get the feeling neither of these men are capable of leading the English National team? (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

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First of all a big thanks to Scott K. for posting a game thread this weekend. My father is in town visiting and since I only see him 3 or 4 times a year and we very rarely get to watch a match together anymore I decided I would rather enjoy the game with him rather than blogging. I was also playing in a city championships tournament this weekend and with 4 games over the two days wasn't home much. So thank you Scott I owe you one.

Also, a big thanks to leghumpingjihadkiller for putting together his fanposts about recent United news. I am loving them and I hope you continue to post them. You guys are helping to make this blog a better place and the more you guys get involved the better this blog will be. And of course the less I will have to do. Everyone wins.

On the match this weekend. Ugh. I don't know what to say. It should have been all three points and I am very bitter about the way the match ended. It's easy to say now in hindsight but Ryan Giggs needs to take that spot kick. And Johnny Evans needs to be better. But in light of what happened against Burnley last season early in the year and what happened away to Fulham last season I am trying to frame this draw in a positive light. I guess as a Chicago Cubs fan I am an eternal optomist.

So today Liverpool continue their difficult opening to the season with a match against the other team I loathe the most. What do you want to happen tonight/this afternoon when Pool take on City. I am thinking nil-nil draw with both team picking up numerous injuries and red cards would be nice.

Arsene Wenger tosser or wally?

2010-08-20T23:21:37Z

via img.dailymail.co.uk

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You might not have seen the recent comments from Arsene Wenger when asked about Paul Scholes. So I will fill you in. Here is a link to the entire article in the Telegraph. And here is the main quote I have a problem with.

You ask me was Scholes a fair player: I say no,” said Wenger. “I’m sorry, for me he was not a fair player. There’s a little bit of a darker side in him, sometimes, that I did not like. I respect him highly as a quality player but I did not like some things he did on the football pitch and I have the right to say that. It’s not because you are older suddenly that you are a saint. “The regret I have personally is he was not always the fairest player.

First of all Wenger's complaints about guys like Fletcher have gotten old. We get it Arsene. You want your players to be able to run around and pass in beautiful triangles without being touched. Well guess what? Too f*ucking bad. Football is a man's game and tackling is as much a part of the game as passing and shooting. If you had a Darren Fletcher at the heart of your midfield you may have won a title in recent memory. I mean seriously Arsene. Get a grip. Tackling and defending isn't 'anti-football' IT IS FOOTBALL!!!! As much as attacking and scoring are.

Secondly Arsene, you used to be the boss in charge of the dirtiest team in the Premier League since Billy Bremner strapped on the boots for Leeds. How many red cards did the teams with Henry and Viera pick up? Yellow cards? More than any other team in the league is how many. By a large margin. So what? Now that your team is spineless and can't hold onto a title challenge once the weather turns cold you have realized the error of your ways? Nope. You are just a hypocrite.

Seriously. This is Paul f*cking Scholes. Paul Scholes!!!! He is the worst tackler in the league. And you could maybe argue he knows what he is doing. But calling Paul Scholes dirty? Or 'unfair' which is the word you used cause you are too much of a coward to say what you mean? That's ludicrous. Roy Keane Paul Scholes is not.

I mean no one asked you if he was fair. You were asked to talk about how great he is. How wonderful he has been as a player for so many years and how professional he has been to stay in top form all these years. If SAF was asked to talk about how great Viera was do you think he would go straight to the dirty player card? Probably not.Sure you went on to say nice things about Scholes as a player but sorry it's too late at that point.

Oh and sorry Telegraph hacks. The stats don't support Wenger. Scholes has been booked 81 times, 5th most in Premier League history, but he has also made over 400 league appearances. He has been booked at a rate of once every 5th match. Patrick Viera was red carded 8 times, twice as many as Scholes and he did it in just 259 appearances. Lee Bowyer has been yellow carded more than anyone in the history of the Premier League with 94 and he has done that in just 365 league appearances. Scholes isn't anywhere close to as 'unfair' as those two players. Or others like Keane, Michael Brown or Robbie Savage.

Paul Scholes is a class act on and off the pitch who is widely celebrated for his professionalism and ability and rightly so. Arsene Wenger is a has been manager who can't win trophies anymore and has always had an inferiority complex about United and our players. So I ask is he a tosser or a wally?

What would we do without Scholes?

2010-08-17T23:59:14Z

Abelimages - Getty Images

Who will replace this little genius? (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

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Last night's match was a wonderful start to the new season. A comprehensive victory that still left SAF with some areas to improve moving forward. But how about that performance from Scholesy? Vintage. I mean can we even call it vintage if he is still doing it? Whatever fountain of youth Giggs found let's all be thankful he is sharing it with Scholes. He was maybe even better yesterday than he was in the Community Shield.

But his performance has lead to an interesting quesiton. One posed by Soccernet writer Richard Jolly. What do United do when Scholes retires? Who replaces the midfield maestro? There are certainly lots of candidates within the club from the unlikely, Anderson, to the ridiculous, Carrick. Who will United turn to after Scholes moves on to pull the strings in midfield and unlock even the stingiest of defenses? I think I know the answer. I believe I am sitting on the key to long term success at Old Trafford in the era after Scholes. An era by the way that I am NOT looking forward to. I will miss watching the genius of Scholes and Giggs when they are gone. Let's make sure we appreciate watching them this season whether they are in form or not. Cause they won't be around forever.

Now this isn't a post about how we won't be able to replace Scholes. Players come and go and this club moves on. Cantona and Keane left and were replaced or the style and structure of the team was changed. So Scholes retiring isn't the end of the world. It will be sad and I wish it never had to happen but alas that's not how the world works. But this club will cope and survive and hopefully thrive in a Scholesless future.

But back to the matter at hand. The replacement. The new Scholes. Gibson, Cleverley, Anderson, Possebon? Are any of these players the answer? I am not so sure. Maybe it will be the uber-talented Paul Pogba or the gifted Magnus Eikrem? It wouldn't surprise me if it was one of those two. It wouldn't surprise me if it was neither. So who is this mystery man I have discovered at the club currently who can replace the greatest ball playing English midfielder of his generation? One of a small handful of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history. You may want to sit down.

The answer is Wayne Rooney.

Let that sink in for a minute.

Now I know what a lot of you will be thinking. "But he is a striker!!!!!" Well if we remember correctly so was Scholes in an early incarnation. Wayne Rooney is prehaps the only player at the club that has vision and passing range that can rival Scholes. his passion for the game and determination mean he could easily adapt to a more midfield role. Imagine Rooney as an attacking midfielder alongside Fletch with a striker force of Macheda and Chicharito ahead of him as an example. Doesn't that sound nice?

How many times in a match does Wayne spread play with a wonderful cross field ball? Not as often as Scholes but that's simply a function of the positions they currently play. Rooney also has one hell of a shot from range. Something Scholes also possesses and uses rarely. But what he does do is shape to shoot before releasing a pass. Players have to respect the long range shot and defend accordingly. Scholes uses that to his advantage. Rooney is more than capable of the same. Another reason I think this would work perfectly is Rooney's imagination. That flick from a Scholes feed that Berba in yesterday, only for Berba to put his shot wide, was sublime. Rooney's touch and vision and imagination are world class. Just like Scholes.

Now I don't think this is an immediate fix. In the short term I still think Rooney helps the team by the most by being further up the pitch. But as he gets older and youngsters like Macheda and Hernandez make names for themselves a seamless transition to midfield creator could, and I think should, be in Rooney's future.

Manchester United host Newcastle to kick off 2010/11 Premier League Campaign - August 16th, 2010

2010-08-16T17:52:47Z

Ronald Martinez - Getty Images

It was a trophy winning pre-season for United. But the real games start today with a 19th English title hopefully awaiting United at the end of the road. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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Well it's finally here. After a weekend of mixed results for United, a draw between Arsenal and Pool mitigated by West Brom acting like a cheap hooker rolling over lying there and taking it against Chelsea, it's time for the real season to begin. The opponents today will be Newcastle United who are back in the league that frankly their wonderful supporters deserve to be in. Newcastle do feature former United striker Alan Smith and defender Danny Simpson and United killer Kevin Nolan who scores at OT for fun. Andy Carroll can be a handful up front and Vida will have to keep a close eye on the young striker. but this game is United's to lose. A statement of intent is needed after Chelsea's result this weekend.

I would like to see Danny Simpson get the start for Newcastle. He is a Salford boy and I always thought he was a little unlucky to only make 3 United appearances. I am sure the young lad will be dying to get a run out against his former club and the club he supported as a boy. He always looked dangerous going forward but I think he is a player Valencia could give the run around if they are matched up against each other.

I also have a soft spot for Alan Smith. Despite the fact he came from Leeds he was a player that gave his all for United when he played and he had a little bit of Sparky in him. A pitbull that would lead the line and was capable of the spectacular.And what about that goal against Fulham? Such determination.

I always thought he was unlucky at United. Imagine if Smith had been allowed to play as a striker more often and hadn't broken his leg. Put him up front with Rooney and watch defenders quake in their boots. Alas, it wasn't to be for Smith and United so he moved on to Newcastle where he is vice-captain. He was sent off on his last visit to Old Trafford.

For United the line up and who plays today is really important. Will Rooney start? How much time will Chicharito see? There are interesting questions as we get closer and closer to kick off but ultimately it doesn't really matter. The players who start today for United will be better than the players on the pitch for Newcastle. It's that simple. If we match their work rate and determination we should be able to win this match. But it's almost never easy for United on the opening day of the season and Newcastle will be desperate to prove they belong back in the top flight.

Welbeck on season long loan

2010-08-12T21:00:00Z

Welbeck on season long loan

Welbeck heads to Sunderland on a season long loan deal that will hopefully allow him to get 20 plus games of first team action in the Premier League. That would be ideal anyway. He will work with a United legend in Steve Bruce and I can't think of a reason that this shouldn't benefit the young man's development.

United website premature?

2010-08-12T18:33:39Z

United website premature?

This has happened before with manutd.com and you have to imagine some web master somewhere is getting a bollocking tonight.

United sign young Bebe from Portugal

2010-08-12T01:12:45Z

I can't find a picture so I went with a BB Gun. Unless his name is pronounced like Baby? Anyway Bebe is United's newest signing.

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Another striker has arrived at Old Trafford prior to the start of the season. But unlike Chicharito this new signing is pretty much unknown. Hands up if you had heard of this kid before today? Well I hadn't anyway. But this fits the MO at OT lately. Young players purchased before they are spotted by other teams and their price is driven up. Hernandez, Obertan and now Bebe have landed at the Theater of Dreams from relative obscurity in most cases. He is 20 and by all accounts raw. Will he spend a year in the reserves before going out on loan? Will he be the next Nani or Ronaldo? Or will he be the next Diouf? Speaking of which what does this say for Diouf's future? Welbeck? Macheda? Owen?

What little I know about this kid from the reading I have done in the last few minutes is intriguing. He has size at 6'2" and was raised in an orphanage. He represented Portugal at something called the Homeless World Cup. I can't even find a video of the guy on youtube. Talk about obscure.

Very interesting signing but obviously the kid has a load of talent for SAF to swoop this quickly. Have you heard of this kid? What do you think of the signing?

Here is a link to an article about the signing.

Manchester United Premier League Preview

2010-08-11T18:40:50Z

Shaun Botterill - Getty Images

LONDON ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: United's key man in midfield this season scores against Chelsea. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

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It's time for a quick preview of the new Premier League season which starts on Saturday for most but doesn't really start until Monday.

Let's start with the key fixtures this season. Please note these dates can change.

Sep. 12th - Away to Everton - This has become a very tricky test and going to Goodison and coming away with 3 points could prove crucial in the title race as not everyone will be able to manage that feat. It's is also a crucial game because we need to be in good form heading into the following game.

Sep. 19th - Home to Liverpool - A must win for the fans who can't stand the scousers. I doubt the Pool will be challenging for a title this season but if we have hopes of winning the title we need to beat teams in the 4-8 range. Plus any dropped points at home can be very damaging.

Nov. 10th - Away to City - No explanation needed on this one.

Nov 13th - Away to Villa - part of a tricky stretch away from home. Villa have given us a little trouble lately and always make us work very hard for all three points.

Dec 11th & Dec. 18th - Home to Arsenal - Away to Chelsea - Let's count this as one big key fixture since they are so close together and these are likely our two biggest rivals for the title. This crucial pre-Christmas portion of the schedule won't decide the league but it is important to be in good form at the turn of the year and in a good position from which to attack the top of the table. 4 points from these two fixture is vital.

Mar 5th - Away to Liverpool - Always a massive fixture and let's face it winning at Anfield just feels so damn good. Not as good as when they had a good team but still pretty good.

Apr 23rd, Apr 30rd, and May 7th - Home to Everton, Away to Arsenal, Home to Chelsea - Is there any doubt about where the title will be won? As the schedule stands now this is going to be where the title is won or lost. Anything less than 7 points won't do. We close with the two Blacks, pool and burn, so this is THE crucial moment in the season. Oh and hopefully we will also have some Champions League games in this stretch as well. Talk about the season resting on a fortnight's worth of games.

So those are the key fixtures as far as I can see. Not sure who made the fixture list but putting those Arsenal and Chelsea fixtures so close together is either very interesting or very distressing. I can't decide which. I also left out the home match with City simply because there are only so many matches I can highlight as key. Let's call that one important. But being at Old Trafford means we should feel confident of getting all three points.

Now for the key players this season.

GK - VDS - This is an easy choice. VDS showed in the community shield that he still has the reflexes and shot stopping ability. Every once in a while, and it is rare, he looks a little lost on a high ball. That's the best I could do to come up with an negative about the man. He needs to remain fairly healthy and between the sticks.

Defender - Vida - Simply put he is the rock or the foundation that our success has been built on recently. If healthy for the majority of the season our defense will be tight and goals will be hard to come by for our opponents. He is the platform on which our attacking play is built. With Rio seemingly unable to stay healthy for long periods it is up to Vidic to keep Johnny Evans, Wes Brown or Chris Smalling calm and focused. Oh and he will be looking to chip in a few more goals this season as well.

Midfield - Valencia - This one was very tough. Scholes can be key and Carrick needs to be better this season. If he is we have an even better shot at some trophies. Nani's development continues and he is an important player. And of course there is Fletcher and Giggs. But for me the provider for Rooney's great goal scoring season was Valencia. his rise has been impressive and he will be looking to ad goals this season as well. With Chicharito and Rooney thriving on good service Valencia down the wing, usually thanks to a raking cross field ball from Scholes, will be key to our season.

Forwards - Berbatov - Rooney is just too obvious. We know he has to be good but I think we also know he will be. But he might not hit the same heights he reached last term in the goal scoring department. So Berba must be better. We will need goals from Berba as well as his great link play. The man can be an absolute genius and this is the season to really show that. I think the competition from Hernandez as well as their dovetailing talents when they are on the pitch together will help Berba raise his game.

Prediction: I think the league will come down to the last day of the season and I can't see us dropping points at home to Blackpool. Having Chelsea and Everton at home at the end of the season rather than away is also a slight help to us. I see United pipping Chelsea by a point or two just at the end.

Strike force United style

2010-08-09T20:25:18Z

Laurence Griffiths - Getty Images

28 days ago: LONDON ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United celebrates as he scores their third goal during the FA Community Shield match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 8 2010 in London England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

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So on the evidence of Sunday's match United seem to have more fire power up front this season. Hernandez won't stop scoring, Berba has looked sharper this pre-season than he did most of last season, and Rooney was lively in the first half and set up a goal. Owen is the 4th/5th choice depending on Macheda. So do you think United have enough fire power up front this season? We were derailed last season when Rooney went down. Do you worry about that happening again? Let me know in the comments section.

For my part I think Hernandez is going to be a steal and will have a nice season of around 15 goals. Berba should be around that mark again. So I still think, unless Nani and Valencia score more, that we will need Rooney to get around 30. He certainly is capable of hitting those highs again and I think he will. I am concerned if he gets hurt that we will again struggle for goals. I don't think you can expect Chicharito to have a consistent season in terms of goal scoring in his first year in European football. He seems like he can score in bunches but I would expect a couple of longish droughts.

So my conclusion. I think we just about have enough goals if Macheda can get some more minutes and find the back of the net with some regularity.

United versus Chelsea Game Thread

2010-08-08T09:10:57Z

United will be looking to get ready for the new season more than they will be looking to win the Shield. But why not do both?

Game thread on......

Manchester United's recent Community Shield History

2010-08-06T17:51:50Z

Giggs lifts the community shield

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With the Community Shield coming up this weekend I thought we could take a look at what winning that particular trophy means to United in recent history. The Community Shield started in 1908-09 and 20 years later it was established that the winner of the FA Cup would player the winner of the League for the Charity Shield, as it was known then, at the beginning of the next season. Manchester United have won the most Shields with 17. We also won the first Charity Shield in a replay, imagine that, thanks to a Sandy Turnbull hat trick. The game is basically a way for the FA to bilk money out of fans in order to channel it to charity. Now I am in no way saying giving money to charity is a bad thing but let's be honest the English FA has more than enough money to give to charity without first getting it out of the pockets of the fans with a meaningless pre-season friendly. Rant over.

Our recent Community Shield history after the jump......

In 1998 we lost to Arsenal 3-0 and went on to win the Treble. We lost again in 1999 to Arsenal (playing in the game by virtue of finishing runners up in the league) and in 2000 when Chelsea beat us 2-0. We went on to lift the title later those seasons in all three of those seasons. We also lost in 2001 to Liverpool and ended that season in third ten points adrift of double winners Arsenal.

But in recent times it's been a bit different. We lifted the trophy in 2007 against Chelsea and 2008 against Pompey, both years needing penalties to do so, on the way to also winning the Premier League. And then we lost last season's Community Shield to eventual league winners Chelsea. So recent history suggests a win this weekend will be a good omen for the up-coming season.

So the evidence suggests that it doesn't really matter who wins the Shield as it is basically a pre-season friendly between two premiership teams. The only thing a win is really good for is some confidence and momentum heading into the season. But if we are looking for some positive karma heading into our first league match with Newcastle on Monday then a win might just help.

It should also be noted that the last 3 seasons after a World Cup have resulted in titles for United. After France 1998 we went on to win the Treble. After the 2002 World Cup Ruud Van Nistelrooy inspired United to overcome an 8 point deficit to Arsenal in March. And after the World Cup in Germany, despite the media's best efforts, Rooney and Ronaldo lifted the Reds back to the top of the Summit. It seems to me that Sir Alex knows just how much rest to give his World Cup players and when to give it to them.

United vs Airtricity League XI

2010-08-04T18:07:59Z

Drew Hallowell - Getty Images

about 1 month ago: PHILADELPHIA - JULY 21: Sebastien Le Toux #9 of the Philadelphia Union takes a shot on goal past John O'Shea #22 of Manchester United which is saved by Tomasz Kusczak #29 at Lincoln Financial Field on July 21 2010 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

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Sounds like Vidic, Valencia, Carrick, Park and Rooney will all play a part in tonight's match in Ireland with John O'Shea set to captain the side on his native soil.

Game Thread On........

Does United have a drinking problem?

2010-08-03T20:48:37Z

via images.mirror.co.uk

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Now let me start by saying I don't have a problem with players have a few drinks during their holidays. They are under a lot of pressure during the season and they sacrafice a lot to be in top shape so if they get a few weeks off after the world cup and want to unwind with a few beer I have no problem with it. And I get that for the most part it's just tabloids who drag these things up and make it seem like Wayne Rooney being out on a Saturday night having a drink is a big deal. If he returns to training Monday then Saturday is still time off and there is no reason he shouldn't be out enjoying himself. I have no worries when it comes to Wayne Rooney and his desire to be a top player and be on the pitch.

But in the wake of the recent Anderson all night party and car crash I am wondering if you are concerned that United players seem to be out on the town enjoying themselves a little too much lately? Is it something that bothers you or concerns you?

Let's have a poll

It seems that United may be after the German Mesut Ozil but are unwilling to reach Bremen's asking price. The player has asked the club to lower that price so he can move to England. Let's hope something gets done because I think Ozil could be a good long term replacement for Scholes.

Oh and it looks like Danny Welbeck will be going out on loan to Sunderland for the season. That's the rumour at the moment. IF he gets regular action in the Premier League then I am happy to see him go to the North East. It will help him immensely as a player.

Poll

Are you concerned by the recent rash of United players seen out on the town?

Yes

13 votes

No

30 votes

43 votes | Poll has closed

Manchester United vs. Chivas Game Thread

2010-07-31T01:31:17Z

Ronald Martinez - Getty Images

about 1 month ago: HOUSTON - JULY 28: Javier Hernandez #14 of Manchester United points towards the bench after scoring in his debut with United against the MLS All-Stars during the MLS All Star Game at Reliant Stadium on July 28 2010 in Houston Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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United wrap up their North American tour with a game in Mexico. A very intriguing game for several reasons not least of which will be seeing the way the Mexican fans respond to Chicharito and how he handles the occasion. This is a big match for the youngster as he plays for Chivas for the last time before heading back to England.

Plus this match comes just 17 days before United kick off their Premier League campaign against Newcastle. Just a little over a fortnight to prepare for the start of a new season.

Game thread on.......