Why is it, that our front six either all play well, or all play terrible? Is there something in the fucking water? It seems as one minute there drinking bloody holy water next minute there all bloody hungover on whiskey. I thought Wayne Rooney’s punishment was harsh for having a meal after boxing day, but after seeing his useless performance last night SAF was dead right, again. One thing SAF isn’t right on, however, is our squad. We need a bloody midfielder. Actually no, we need two bloody midfielders. And I am not talking about this pish-posh ‘Attacking Midfielders’ or wingers who are handy in midfielder, I am talking about two predominate central midfielders. Luka Modric and Cheik Tiote for example. Put those two players together and teams would be soiling their pants just reading the team sheet.

We our heavily reliant on Rooney to come up with the goods. Look at the 2008 team, Rooney was Ronaldo’s sidekick. A brilliant sidekick yes, but he allowed Ronaldo to be brilliant and when he wasn’t, Rooney would step in. Rooney has Nani to sidekick him, but your never quite sure with Nani. Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and Dimitar Berbatov are all very good players, but they aren’t world class. Let’s compare this class to the 2008 one:

Goal: Van der Saar vs David de Gea or Anders Lindegaard – I think both of our keepers are very good, I think de Gea will be great, but Van der Saar wins this hands down. 2008

Defence: Brown-Vidic-Ferdinand-Evra vs Valencia/Jones/Smalling/Rafael/Fabio -Vidic-Ferdinand-Evra –  On the surface looks pretty similar, but we haven’t had a settled back four all season. Patrice and Rio have declined and Vidic is out for the season. 2008

Midfield: Hargreaves-Scholes-Carrick vs Carrick-Cleverley – Carrick has actually gotten back to his best in the last few months, but Cleverley isn’t Scholes and we haven’t replaced Hargreaves. 2008

Forwards: Ronaldo-Tevez-Rooney vs Nani-Rooney-Hernandez-Young – Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney were frightening that season, and while on their day our current forwards are breathtaking, they lack 2008′s consistency. They don’t have Ronaldo either. 2008

So 2008 team wins convincingly. But, like I said before our team is in transition. However, I can’t honestly seeing them reaching 2008′s standard without some much needed investment. Ravel Morrison, Paul Pogba and Ryan Tunnicliffe aren’t ready to play 40+ games a season for the first team yet. They won’t be for awhile. It’s bollux to think if we sign a player they won’t progress, absolutely tosh. If there good enough, they’ll get into the team. Look at Jack Wilshere, he got into an Arsenal team with Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri already covering his position.

It’s annoying to think right now, we have two fit midfielders who are actually central midfielders. We are only going to get one more back this season when Cleverley returns, we have to hope that Fletcher comes back at all. I know it’s difficult to sign someone in January, but it’s not impossible. This time last year West Ham signed Demba Ba – who destroyed us last night. We might have to pay a bit extra, but if the Glazers are true to their word, this should be no problem at all. Our club pumps in a staggering amount of money, surely we can indulge ourselves? Seeing Ji-Sung Park and Rafael on Saturday was diabolical.

Despite all the negatives, I still think were going to beat City on Sunday. Funny old game isn’t it?

Before this confrontation the article stated that it was Sir Alex who said the quotes, now it’s an ‘insider’.

Manchester United get linked with players day in day out, why would SAF get so upset about this case?

Watch this space (and the video, seriously it’s hilarious!).

Theres no doubting he is very talented, and if given the chance I have a strong feeling he’ll be a fantastic keeper for United in the future. He may make a mistake here and there due to lack of experience, but that is expected and should be aloud as the young man gets settled in to a new life in Manchester. Us United fans have lived a charm life with the ever reliable Van Der Sar, the veteran only made one notable mistake last season (that fumble against West Brom), and in all honesty you can count on one hand the mistake he made in his 6 years at Old Trafford.

It took several years to replace Peter Schmeichel, let’s hope this transition of keeper is a much more smooth process!

Welcome David De Gea!

Young becomes United's second signing of the Summer!

Today it’s been confirmed that Ashley Young has joined Manchester United on a 5 year deal which see’s him become the second signing of the summer after Phil Jones transferred to United a week ago. The fee is reportedly around 15 million pounds. Personally I’m very happy with the news and here’s an article showing why.

Welcome to Manchester United Ashley!

So for the first time since the 2005/06 campaign our lads will begin their campaign away from home at West Brom. Oddly enough, that day was Edwin Van Der Saar’s debut for us in the Premier League, this time it’s likely to be David De Gea debut. Man United are currently on a 15 game winning streak at Old Trafford and will do well to continue that run facing 4 of the other top 5 in United’s first five home games of the season. A tough start no doubt! We finish the season away at Sunderland on the 13th of May, hopefully having a 20th title wrapped up by then.

So heres the fixture list in full:

A note most fixtures are liable to change due to TV coverage!

Sat 13 Aug – West Brom (A)
Sat 20 Aug – Tottenham Hotspur (H)
Sat 27 Aug – Arsenal (H)
Sat 10 Sep – Bolton Wanderers (A)
Sat 17 Sep – Chelsea (H)
Sat 24 Sep – Stoke City (A)
Sat 1 Oct – Norwich City (H)
Sat 15 Oct – Liverpool (A)
Sat 22 Oct – Manchester City (H)
Sat 29 Oct – Everton (A)
Sat 5 Nov – Sunderland (H)
Sat 19 Nov – Swansea City (A)
Sat 26 Nov – Newcastle United (H)
Sat 3 Dec – Aston Villa (A)
Sat 10 Dec – Wolves (H)
Sat 17 Dec – QPR (A)
Wed 21 Dec – Fulham (A)
Mon 26 Dec – Wigan Athletic (H)
Sat 31 Dec – Blackburn Rovers (H)
Mon 2 Jan – Newcastle (A)
Sat 14 Jan – Bolton Wanderers (H)
Sat 21 Jan – Arsenal (A)
Tue 31 Jan – Stoke City (H)
Sat 4 Feb – Chelsea (A)
Sat 11 Feb – Liverpool (H)
Sat 25 Feb – Norwich City (A)
Sat 3 Mar – Tottenham Hotspur (A)
Sat 10 Mar – West Brom (H)
Sat 17 Mar – Wolves (A)
Sat 24 Mar – Fulham (H)
Sat 31 Mar – Blackburn Rovers (A)
Sat 7 Apr – QPR (H)
Mon 9 Apr – Wigan Athletic (A)
Sat 14 Apr – Aston Villa (H)
Sat 21 Apr – Everton (H)
Sat 28 Apr – Manchester City (A)
Sat 5 May – Swansea City (H)
Sun 13 May – Sunderland (A)

It has been confirmed today that Manchester United have signed Phil Jones on a 5 year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be around 16 million. This was after speculation that Blackburn Rover’s owners the Venkys wanted more money for Phil Jones not actually realizing what the release clause in his contract actually meant.  Luckily the deal has gone through and an official statement from United stated:

Manchester United is delighted to announce it has signed an agreement with Blackburn Rovers for the transfer of Phil Jones.

The player passed a medical in Manchester last week and has agreed a 5-year contract. The deal will be completed once the player returns from international duty.

Phil Jones himself on his Twitter account said:

I’d just like to start off by saying that I’ve loved my time at Blackburn and I will always be a huge fan.

But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am looking forward to a new challenge.

The lad reportedly refused an offer from Arsenal which would have seen him payed more wages, and Liverpool were reportedly also keen on signing the lad. Personally I’m delighted with the transfer and can’t wait to see the lad pull on the United shirt. Welcome to Manchester United Phil!

1) Luis Nani hasn’t been as good on the left as he has been on the right: For two and a half seasons Luis Nani was the cause of much frustration among many reds, including myself. He obviously had bundles of potential, but at times he seemed to self-centered and everything he did on the field was for the benefit of himself and not the team. Something that the Portuguese winger echoed himself recently. However, since the turn of 2010 it’s fair to say Nani has been nothing else then sensational. Mainly because he’s been given more games on the right then he was earlier on in his United career. With Valencia out for majority of the season it was up to Nani to step up, and he did it emphatically. He was the top assist maker in the Premier League this season with 18 and he scored 9 goals himself. There was a period in the season where every United goal virtually involved the lad. Unfortunately the horror tackle from Jamie Carragher on Nani back in March has seemed to have dented the boy’s confidence and he hasn’t really been the same player since. However, another reason I believe that Nani hasn’t been the same is that the week after Nani was carried off on a stretcher at Anfield, Antonio Valencia made his return from injury against Arsenal, and he has been a fixture on the right ever since leaving Nani pushed out onto the left where he has been very ineffective. On the right he is dangerous, explosive and a nightmare to defend against because he can either take his defender to the byline and cross the ball in, or he can cut inside an unleash an effort on goal. On the left he is limited, frustrated and very predictable because of his reluctance to cross the ball in with his left foot, meaning he has to cut onto his right foot to shoot or cross. This signing doesn’t mean the end of Nani, but as a gauntlet thrown down to the lad to try and better himself even more and make the transition from on the verge of world class to world class.

2) Ashley Young is at his best on the left and is very versatile: One of the main complaints of this transfer from United fans is that he’s another right winger to add to the likes of Valencia, Nani, Park and Obertan. However, Young best form comes from when he is playing on the left. He will prove a valuable squad member as he can fill in the ‘hole’ where Rooney currently plays in, or if ever needed he can play on the right. However, for most of his United career Young should be playing on the left. Given time and space he will cut in and cross the ball or take a shot, however, unlike Nani he is more then willing to charge to the byline and whip the ball in with his left foot. Making him dangerous and unpredictable (sound familiar?). He also proved his worth in the ‘hole’ and if we are ever without Wayne Rooney for a prolonged spell (touchwood) then we have an more then able deputy and won’t have to change from the 4-4-1-1 formation which proved very effective in the final few months of the season.

3) He’ll add some more creativity and is a match-winner: Last season we seemed to be over reliant on Nani for a piece of magic in tight situations and when he was having an off day or wasn’t available the team suffered. As the season wore on the duty fell on Rooney to score or create a goal. In my opinion why we were so poor away from home in the Premiership is we lacked people who could change a game in a blink of an eye, at home with the backing of 70,000 + plus fans it was much different. The main reason we were so successful and dangerous between 06-09 is because we had an abundance of match winners. Consider the 2008 double winning team, we had the likes of Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney, Nani, Giggs and Scholes all able to win a match on their own. Last season we were much more workman like and had to grind out results on many occasions, something we achieved purely down to the character of the side. Players like Park and Fletcher rather sum up the United squad – effective rather electric – both have been brilliant for United but neither are likely to conjure something out of nothing.With Young in the ranks we have someone who can whip in a fantastic cross, score a goal and something we haven’t had since Ronaldo have the ability to take a deadly set piece.

4) Aging Park and Giggs: Despite very little evidence of it, Ryan Giggs no matter how much yoga sessions he takes: will eventually run out of legs. Last season towards the end of the season Giggs was used more in a central midfield position alongside Michael Carrick. A position where were more likely to see Ryan play in a lot more next season. Ji-Sung Park has turned 30 in the last few months, and with much of his game relying on heavy running and pressuring the opponents it could mean that our ultimate big game player could be used less and less in the coming season. Both Park and Giggs contract run up in a years time and while Gigg’s situation depends on his performances and his willingness to continue, Park on the other hand could be shown the door after what will have been seven years of fine service. With Ashley Young joining and Ravel Morrison coming up through the ranks this could be Park’s final season with the red devils.

5) Cleverley and Welbeck aren’t natural wingers: While the two starlets who were loaned out to Wigan and Sunderland respectively played the majority of their loan spell on the left wing it’s fair to say it wasn’t there natural position. Both did a very good job on the left wing, but Manchester United haven’t created a legacy of quick lighting wing play with players who could do a ‘job’ there. Speaking to a few Wigan fans a few weeks ago they also felt that Tom’s future in the game is in the center of the midfield rather than out hugging the touchlines. Danny Welbeck had an impressive loan spell at Sunderland, Danny was forced out left for most of the season as Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan were ahead of him in the strikers department. When Bent left for Villa in the January transfer window Danny must have though he’d be given a chance down the center from now on, however, numerous injury problems limited his chances for the remainder of the season as Sunderland plummeted down the league table.

6) Young is approaching his prime and is relatively cheap: With his 26th birthday coming up next month Ashley is no longer classed as a youngster with potential. He’s reaching the prime of his career and with experienced heads like VDS, Neville and Scholes all having left the club he’s experience will be a welcomed addition to the squad. While English players are often very much over-hyped and overrated, the same can’t be said for Young. The winger won the PFA young player of the year back in 2009, but his progress has seemed to stall in the last couple of the seasons (remember this is the guy Martin O’Neil once described him of being at the level of Ronaldo and Messi!). Comparing his performances for Villa this season to his recent appearances for England seem to suggest that Young is desperate for a new challenge something he will get at United with Champions League football ahead for him next season. With a year left on his contract Ashley Young won’t be as expensive as someone like Alexis Sanchez who is unproven in the Premier League, or as expensive as someone like Gareth Bale who is supposed to be the top target for many clubs around Europe. This means the signing of Young will leave some more cash for a top central midfielder that we all desire.

7) Advantage of playing with better players: When SAF signed Dwight Yorke he reckoned the striker would thrive under the platform and being among higher quality players. The same could be said for Young who in is 189 appearances for Villa he has scored 37 goals and made 57 assists. An impressive record for a winger, especially considering for the majority of his Villa career Young was trying to supplement the likes of Carew, Heskey and Agbonlahor. You would imagine he would have greater success playing with the likes of Rooney, Hernandez, Berbatov and Owen. Young managed 9 goals and 14 assists last season, compare that to PFA Player Of The Year winner Gareth bale who managed 7 goals and a single assist last term. So stats-wise where signing no mug!

These are several reasons why I believe Ashley Young will prove a success at United and will soon endear himself to the Old Trafford faithful!

More of the same please next season Chicharito!

In the middle of our bids for Phil Jones and Ashley Young, Sunderland who have sold Jordan Henderson for a reported fee of 13 million plus David N’Gog are after launching a 12+ million bid for three United players: Darron Gibson, Wes Brown and John O’Shea. All three players have a year left on their current deals and the bid has been reportedly accepted by United.

Darron Gibson is a player who it’s fair to say isn’t popular among the fans after being hounded off Twitter by some idiot United fans. Darron has had his chances in a United shirt, and in all honesty hasn’t really taken them. He’s never had a shocker so to speak, but it’s not very often you come away from Old Trafford after a game thinking: “Gibbo had a good game today didn’t he?”. He’s had his moments without doubt, scoring the opener against Bayern Munich last year and scoring in the 4-1 demolition of Schalke in the semi-finals this season. He also has scored some quality goals in the red shirt, including a spectacular brace against Tottenham in the Carling Cup and incredible lob from a tight angle against Scunthorpe in the same competition. Gibbo will certainly come away with OT with some good memories, but with Tom Cleverley coming back from an impressive loan spell at Wigan and United reportedly looking to strengthen in a midfield area which looked very weak last season it’s time to go. Always sad to see a player who has come through the ranks leave, but if he does go I wish the lad all the best for the future.

Wes Brown who has been at the club since 1996 and has made 361 appearances, and is another who has come up through the ranks, and unlike Gibson is a popular man among the fans with his no-nonesence tough tackling approach to defending. Wes best season with the club came in the 2007/08 where he made a career high 52 appearances, and was a key figure in our success in both the Premier League and the Champions League setting up Cristiano Ronaldo to head home the opener in the final. Brown only made 15 appearances last season and didn’t even qualify for a Premier League medal, this was after speculation of a fallout between Brown and Sir Alex at last years USA tour which has seen the Manchester born defender fall out of favor at the club. While it will be strange to see Wes in a different shirt after all these years, I think it’s right move for both club and player. The progress of the Da Silva twins and the signing of Jones would mean Brown would be further down the pecking order. We will also be saying goodbye to one our most beloved chants:

John O’Shea who after Giggs has made more appearances then everyone else in the current United squad, is probably the most surprising of the three to be sold. John who made 32 appearances last season has been a key member of the United squad filling in at left and right back, center back, center mid, striker and even had a cameo appearance in goal! While John has had his critics in the past, most of them have acknowledge what an important member of the squad he is and he showed everyone he can be more then just a squad player as he was made first choice right-back in the 2008/09 season where he made 54 appearances and helped the Reds bring home 4 trophies (Yes I am considering the Community Shield as a trophy!) and reach a Champions League Final. While I understand the other two being sold, I can’t really understand why in a summer where were losing Van Der Sar, Neville, Scholes, Hargreaves and now Brown that we’d be willing to let go of another experienced head who has had the United way built into him. However, maybe Fergie sees Johnny Evans as the new ‘O’Shea’ as he can cover in at full back and center back. While Chris Smalling proved towards the end of last season that he can fill in at right back, and new signings Jones can also play as a defensive midfield. So SAF could feel that he is more then covered at the back and it’s time to let go of the ultimate utility player. If he does leave for Sunderland, he will leave with the admiration of the United faithful and will always be remembered as a hero for his last minute goal against Liverpool at the Kop back in 2007 especially.

Jones has been of much interest to Liverpool and Arsenal, but it seems United and Sir Alex have pulled it out of the bag to sign the 19 year old. Leaving the futures of Wes Brown and Johnny Evans and the future of proposed signing of Raphael Varane in big doubt.

I think this does spell the end of Wes Brown’s Manchester United career, while I believe Johnny Evans should go on loan or stay at the club and become a ‘John O’Shea’ and use his versatility to great use in the squad. Manchester United in back to back seasons have had an injury crisis at the back which saw a defense of Michael Carrick – Darren Fletcher and Ritchie Da Laet against Fulham 2009. While this season at times Antonio Valencia and Ryan Giggs have had to fill in at left back.

I’m delighted with the news to be honest. Phil Jones has been brilliant for Blackburn and a potential partnership of Smalling and Jones could turn out to be the backbone of future United and England successes. Phil can also play at DM.

With De Gea, Young and now Jones all likely to sign it looks like Manchester United mean business this transfer window. Let’s hope there still be some cash left-over to sign a top central midfielder.