More and more, I'm thinking: NO. With only a few days left in the summer transfer window, we're learning that Louis van Gaal is not messing about. As detailed in this Telegraph article, there are up to 10 players who may be shown the door. Much to many supporters delight, Tom Cleverley is reportedly off to Aston Villa. Not many heartstrings will be plucked over that news, but there are several others whose transfer listings may be lamented. Welbeck and Kagawa are perhaps the most noted. I'm sure there are many who would like to see them get more chances.
Manchester United Football Club is the biggest club the world. As it has in the past, the club can weather a storm or even years of drought. We must all keep this in mind. However, some may argue that with the financial ramifications of 1-2 years of mediocre results, there is cause for slight panic. I know, panic is an ugly word, and I don't feel it, but if you look at the actions of the club this summer, spending £130+ million in a single transfer window is far from the normal sense of calm.
I'm not panicking, but I must admit that my sentimental connections to some of our players has waned. While Sir Alex was delivering a steady stream of trophies over the last few years of his reign, we afforded several players a lot of time to develop their full potential. We could afford to let our hearts influence our minds because of a some magic moments and glimpses of greatness. We could afford hope for players like Nani, Anderson, Zaha, Cleverley, Chicharito, Welbeck, Rafael and Smalling. Sir Alex took what turned out to be a huge risk on hope in the form of David Moyes.
I don't think we can afford such sentiments anymore and Louis van Gaal has the resume and the killer instinct to make it right. If Manchester United are to reclaim our dominance, hope can only take a couple roster spots. Unfortunately, the mediocrity of hope has become the norm.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
MUFC Transfer IN-activity - Luke Shaw Signing Before World Cup?
First things first, if United do sign Luke Shaw for £30-million and agree to pay him £100,000 per week, he better hit the ground running when the new season begins. And dribbling, and crossing, and scoring, and defending. Oh yeah, defending! Don't forget about that.
That is quite a pricey acquisition for the youngster.
That being said, I sure would like him to be a Manchester United player before boarding that airplane for Brazil. No competitive games will be played this summer, but the Red Devils needs some wins off the field in the form of big player signings. It will surely boost supporters spirits, however, I want to point out that Louis van Gaal should improve the performances of the current squad, so I don't think we need to replace every single player.
According to multiple reports, United are in top gear to get this done as soon as possible.
The Guardian says: Manchester United racing to sign Luke Shaw before World Cup deadline
BBC Sport adds to this with their story Luke Shaw: Manchester United to resume talks with Southampton
That is quite a pricey acquisition for the youngster.
That being said, I sure would like him to be a Manchester United player before boarding that airplane for Brazil. No competitive games will be played this summer, but the Red Devils needs some wins off the field in the form of big player signings. It will surely boost supporters spirits, however, I want to point out that Louis van Gaal should improve the performances of the current squad, so I don't think we need to replace every single player.
According to multiple reports, United are in top gear to get this done as soon as possible.
The Guardian says: Manchester United racing to sign Luke Shaw before World Cup deadline
BBC Sport adds to this with their story Luke Shaw: Manchester United to resume talks with Southampton
The Guardian: Manchester United racing to sign Luke Shaw before World Cup deadline http://t.co/ZbuQpLwWDn #mufc
— BBC Manchester Utd (@bbcmanutd) May 30, 2014
Friday, May 23, 2014
Wayne Rooney - The Pressure Is On Roo
All English and Manchester United supporters' eyes will be on Wayne Rooney next month in Brazil. The Red Devil talisman seems to be relaxed, but also understand this is perhaps his last chance to shine.
With the World Cup approaching, this is probably his last chance to achieve his potential at the National level and show why he was once affectionately referred to as the white Pelé. Sure, Manchester United decided he was worth something close to £300,000 a week, but to MUFC, his value is somewhat different. He was given a huge contract to prove a PR point, not because he is on a level with Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi. Mark my words, though, there will come a time when Old Trafford won't need him anymore and his treacherous flirtations with City and Chelsea will come back to haunt him (as he counts all of his money).
I would love to see Wayne Rooney absolutely light up Brazil. Not so much for him, or for England, but because the Red Devils need a confident and content Wayne Rooney in the upcoming club season - not the tortured and dejected Rooney who needs cigarette to deal with the stress of feeling unappreciated and a failure. Pragmatically speaking, the best players want to play with the best players and right now, we need to attract the best players.
Also, to be fair to Wayne Rooney, I am always impressed by how well he handles himself during post-match interviews and press conferences. Perhaps his agent and his starring role on Mourinho's Special 1 TV, don't do him justice. That's brilliant, that is...
"So I believe this is really the last big one I feel that I can get the best out of me. I feel ready and fresh and as good as I can do going into this tournament.
"I believe this is the one that I have to show what I can do and I believe I’m in the best possible condition to do that. I’m ready for it, I’m excited for it and there’ll be no excuses this time."
-Wayne Rooney speaking at England training camp in PortugalMy feelings for Wayne Rooney swing back and forth like a pendulum on Walter White's blue. Most of the time I think he's overpaid, over-rated and has an MLS-level first touch. However, as soon as I think I'm certain of these things, he bangs a Scholes-esque diagonal across the pitch that lands softly on Antonio Valencia's lonely right foot. Then someone tweets a video of his bicycled winner against the noisy (nouveau riche) neighbors. I am sure many of us feel the same way. His moments of brilliance inspire us to ask: Why aren't there more moments of brilliance?
With the World Cup approaching, this is probably his last chance to achieve his potential at the National level and show why he was once affectionately referred to as the white Pelé. Sure, Manchester United decided he was worth something close to £300,000 a week, but to MUFC, his value is somewhat different. He was given a huge contract to prove a PR point, not because he is on a level with Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi. Mark my words, though, there will come a time when Old Trafford won't need him anymore and his treacherous flirtations with City and Chelsea will come back to haunt him (as he counts all of his money).
I would love to see Wayne Rooney absolutely light up Brazil. Not so much for him, or for England, but because the Red Devils need a confident and content Wayne Rooney in the upcoming club season - not the tortured and dejected Rooney who needs cigarette to deal with the stress of feeling unappreciated and a failure. Pragmatically speaking, the best players want to play with the best players and right now, we need to attract the best players.
Also, to be fair to Wayne Rooney, I am always impressed by how well he handles himself during post-match interviews and press conferences. Perhaps his agent and his starring role on Mourinho's Special 1 TV, don't do him justice. That's brilliant, that is...
RELIEF!: Patrice Evra signs on for one more year
Thank goodness. I for one am relieved and elated that United will keep the services of the ninja-like Frenchman.
According to report on BBC and confirmed by Manchester United website, Patrice Evra will remain a Red Devil for one more year. He will add to his 379 appearances and hopefully to his tally of 10 goals in the 2014-2015 season. A leader on the pitch and in the dressing room, he's also worn the captain's armband several times.
Evra has often been slated for his lack of defending and many will say that his switching off has led to too many goals conceded, but I think the swagger and attacking tenacity he adds to Manchester United more than makes up for it. When United are winning titles, his bombing down the wing and the consistent pressure he puts on defenses makes his alleged defensive shortcomings acceptable to me.
Full of energy and fight, his leaping ability often goes unmentioned. That baffles me. Standing at just 5' 9" tall, Evra regularly out-jumps taller opponents to put his head on the ball. He does this with daring and sometimes reckless abandon, has his share of crash landings, and has proven remarkably durable (unlike younger teammates I won't name...Phil Jones).
The official club website player profile describes him as a "cult hero" when just plain "hero" would do fine. Purchased from AS Monaco for a reported transfer fee of £5.5 million, it's proven to be an amazing value, the likes of which are so very rare. To top it off, whether it is true or not, he's always maintained that Old Trafford was the only destination he considered when leaving France.
As we all know, he joined that winter with another United captain, Nemanja Vidic, and it would be unthinkable to lose them both at the same time. We may bring in Luke Shaw this summer, but contray to knee-jerk reactions, I don't see why that would need to end Evra's United career. Plus, the Shaw transfer from Southampton seems far from done.
Here's a list of his honors won for Manchester United Football Club:
FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
UEFA Champions League: 2008
Premier League: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013
League Cup: 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10
Community Shield: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013
To be continued......
According to report on BBC and confirmed by Manchester United website, Patrice Evra will remain a Red Devil for one more year. He will add to his 379 appearances and hopefully to his tally of 10 goals in the 2014-2015 season. A leader on the pitch and in the dressing room, he's also worn the captain's armband several times.
We can confirm that Patrice Evra has extended his contract at #mufc for another year. pic.twitter.com/ZBPsfXL52L
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 23, 2014
Evra has often been slated for his lack of defending and many will say that his switching off has led to too many goals conceded, but I think the swagger and attacking tenacity he adds to Manchester United more than makes up for it. When United are winning titles, his bombing down the wing and the consistent pressure he puts on defenses makes his alleged defensive shortcomings acceptable to me.
Full of energy and fight, his leaping ability often goes unmentioned. That baffles me. Standing at just 5' 9" tall, Evra regularly out-jumps taller opponents to put his head on the ball. He does this with daring and sometimes reckless abandon, has his share of crash landings, and has proven remarkably durable (unlike younger teammates I won't name...Phil Jones).
The official club website player profile describes him as a "cult hero" when just plain "hero" would do fine. Purchased from AS Monaco for a reported transfer fee of £5.5 million, it's proven to be an amazing value, the likes of which are so very rare. To top it off, whether it is true or not, he's always maintained that Old Trafford was the only destination he considered when leaving France.
As we all know, he joined that winter with another United captain, Nemanja Vidic, and it would be unthinkable to lose them both at the same time. We may bring in Luke Shaw this summer, but contray to knee-jerk reactions, I don't see why that would need to end Evra's United career. Plus, the Shaw transfer from Southampton seems far from done.
Here's a list of his honors won for Manchester United Football Club:
FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
UEFA Champions League: 2008
Premier League: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013
League Cup: 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10
Community Shield: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013
To be continued......
Louis van Gaal - Faith in Sir Alex's Replacement's Replacement
Louis the 1st is the perfect man at this time in Manchester United's history. He probably would not have been a year ago. After the long and incredibly successful reign of Sir Alex Ferguson, wasn't his immediate predecessor always going to fail? For many reasons including a few here:
I know most of us were hopeful that The Chosen One would come in and magically learn how to be Sir Alex. Yet, even the power of Old Trafford could not transform him. We now know that fairy tale was too fantastic, even for the greatest football club in the world. It was always going to be Sir Alex's replacement's replacement, wasn't it?
Often, our greatest strengths can be our greatest weakness. The same trait that made Sir Alex the most decorated manager in British history, was the very reason he chose Moyes, a man with no record of winning at the highest level. Looking back with an objective mind, the Scot's appointment seems almost absurd.
Sir Alex's massive ego was never going to let him choose a replacement like a Jose Mourinho or Louis van Gaal, had he been available at the time. These are managers who have won trophies before on their own merits and Sir Alex would not have been able to take much credit for it. Instead he chose someone who was, on paper, totally unqualified. Therefore if he was successful, it would only add to Sir Alex's legacy of genius. It did not work out and yet his genius is unscathed. But as much as I question Sir Alex's motives, I'm OK with that. He is after all a genius, and we all owe him so much gratitude.
So Louis van Gaal is our new leader but I feel that in the English-speaking world, he is a relative unknown. As much as we want to believe ourselves world football aficionados, most of us are studying up on the man. Maybe it's just me. There was a great article by NRC a couple days ago, titled:
I am both wildly excited and somewhat nervous about how contentious his relationship with the English media is going to be. There's a fine line between being refreshingly honest and being a jerk. Those of us who were worried about how Mourinho would embarrass the club with his antics don't seem to be concerned about van Gaal's track record. While hilarious at a rival club, I don't think United need a manager exposing his genitals to players to prove a point, even if it does inspire Ashley Young to stop diving.
I believe Louis the 1st will have a huge impact on Manchester United, put us in contention for the Premier league title next season, and back into the Champions League where we belong. He will demonstrate the same arrogant and disdainful intolerance for mediocrity as Sir Alex, and have the bona fides to back it up.
On the other hand, his rapport with the media will probably go from "what a breath of fresh air!" to "we love you but want to secretly destroy you for making us look like idiots" very quickly. It will be entertaining at least.
- Who could follow that act?
- Was there such a person who could takeover a squad of United's 2013-2014 mediocrity and elevate their skills an extra 20% with his will power as Sir Alex did during the 2012-2013 season?
- Was Sir Alex's ego ever going to pick a successor with title credentials and a personality that would remotely rival his own?
I know most of us were hopeful that The Chosen One would come in and magically learn how to be Sir Alex. Yet, even the power of Old Trafford could not transform him. We now know that fairy tale was too fantastic, even for the greatest football club in the world. It was always going to be Sir Alex's replacement's replacement, wasn't it?
Often, our greatest strengths can be our greatest weakness. The same trait that made Sir Alex the most decorated manager in British history, was the very reason he chose Moyes, a man with no record of winning at the highest level. Looking back with an objective mind, the Scot's appointment seems almost absurd.
Sir Alex's massive ego was never going to let him choose a replacement like a Jose Mourinho or Louis van Gaal, had he been available at the time. These are managers who have won trophies before on their own merits and Sir Alex would not have been able to take much credit for it. Instead he chose someone who was, on paper, totally unqualified. Therefore if he was successful, it would only add to Sir Alex's legacy of genius. It did not work out and yet his genius is unscathed. But as much as I question Sir Alex's motives, I'm OK with that. He is after all a genius, and we all owe him so much gratitude.
So Louis van Gaal is our new leader but I feel that in the English-speaking world, he is a relative unknown. As much as we want to believe ourselves world football aficionados, most of us are studying up on the man. Maybe it's just me. There was a great article by NRC a couple days ago, titled:
I am both wildly excited and somewhat nervous about how contentious his relationship with the English media is going to be. There's a fine line between being refreshingly honest and being a jerk. Those of us who were worried about how Mourinho would embarrass the club with his antics don't seem to be concerned about van Gaal's track record. While hilarious at a rival club, I don't think United need a manager exposing his genitals to players to prove a point, even if it does inspire Ashley Young to stop diving.
I believe Louis the 1st will have a huge impact on Manchester United, put us in contention for the Premier league title next season, and back into the Champions League where we belong. He will demonstrate the same arrogant and disdainful intolerance for mediocrity as Sir Alex, and have the bona fides to back it up.
On the other hand, his rapport with the media will probably go from "what a breath of fresh air!" to "we love you but want to secretly destroy you for making us look like idiots" very quickly. It will be entertaining at least.
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