Manchester United

[mrbojangles]

I don't think we can afford to lose a player of his quality.. especially to our biggest rivals.. If United are determined to sell him then please not to a Premiership club.. that's madness.

West Ham couldn't afford to lose Tevez but united went in with the we are bigger than you attitude and stole him. Rooney from Everton etc. Goose and gander springs to mind. If Heinze wants to go, let him. What are you worried about?

Goalkeeping Blunders

Sadly, or inevitably, for us Barthez features...heavily... :D

can't see that at work, blasted firewalls

[mrtoad]

You trolling in the United forum Mr BJ

Yep, but i thought you might have missed it in the city forum

How could I , when I go trolling in the City forum

[mrbojangles]

You trolling in the United forum Mr BJ

Yep, but i thought you might have missed it in the city forum

How could I , when I go trolling in the City forum

Yeah it has been noted but not sure if Red, Nev and Mucky do!!

[Sunderland]

I heard that this is Manchester United's worst start to a league season since 1998

... the season that they went on to win the treble

[mrtoad]

I heard that this is Manchester United's worst start to a league season since 1998

... the season that they went on to win the treble

The way some people are talking you'd think the season was already over after two matches

Still a long, long way to go yet.

Will be interesting at the turn of the year when Chelsea will be without Drogba, Essien, Kalou and Mikel because of the African Nations Cup.

Okay, we are going to miss Rooney and Ronaldo over the next few weeks, which is not ideal, but at least it will give a few other players the opportunity to prove their worth.

[LaoPo]

Why Thailand's Generals Will Root for Man U

The guy selling spears of chilled guava down the street sports a Chelsea football jersey. Everywhere in soccer-mad Bangkok, in fact, people wear garments proclaiming their affiliation with one or another English Premier League team. But one jersey you're unlikely to spot? That of Manchester City. It's not because City has struggled, unsuccessfully, for three decades now to emerge from the shadow of its more moneyed crosstown rival, Manchester United. Even Birmingham's lackluster Aston Villa, after all, maintains a dogged fan base in Thailand's capital. No, the reason Manchester City is taboo in Bangkok is because its new owner is ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Deposed in a bloodless coup last September, Thaksin has acquired quite the post-power diversion. Last month, he bought Manchester City Football Club for $162 million — mere pocket change compared with the roughly $2 billion in funds Thai authorities have frozen from his family bank accounts. The military junta now controlling Thailand condemned his acquisition of the team — Thai courts have slapped Thaksin, who made his fortune in the telecom business, with corruption and abuse-of-power charges stemming from his time in office. On Tuesday the Thai supreme court issued a warrant for Thaksin's arrest for failing to show up in court to face the graft charges. International human-rights monitors such as New York City-based Human Rights Watch have also chimed in, accusing Thaksin of presiding over a range of abuses, including extrajudicial killings, during his tenure as PM. Through his lawyer, Thaksin denied the human-rights group's charges.

But the tycoon hasn't allowed negative publicity to curb his enthusiasm for his new role as proud owner of a well established team in a league watched by a worldwide TV audience of 570 million. Thaksin has signaled his ambitions by hiring former England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson to run the team, handing the Swede a war chest of almost $80 million to acquire players from clubs worldwide who can help City improve on last season's 14th place in the 20-team league.

Thaksin, who owns a home in London, is also working hard to turn on the charm in his country of exile. On Aug. 4, Thailand's longest-serving elected Prime Minister (O.K., it was only five years) threw a street party in Manchester that drew thousands of revelers. City fans were treated to Thai delicacies such as red curry and stir-fried rice noodles, while karaoke-loving Thaksin lent his voice to a rousing rendition of the team's anthem, Blue Moon.

Thai media outlets, which have generally supported the country's military leaders, sniffed disapproval at Thaksin's populist tactics. thaksin's subtle political war from abroad, ran one headline in the Nation newspaper. But Thailand's ruling generals could use a little positive spin themselves. Although the junta has promised to hold elections by the end of this year, the draft constitution up for referendum this weekend rolls back certain democratic reforms introduced in the previous charter. And despite promises that the military would withdraw from politics, a junta aide has hinted that coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin might throw his hat in the ring in the upcoming polls.

The next step on the path back to democracy is the Aug. 19 vote on the draft constitution. Hoping to encourage people to cast their ballots on Sunday, the junta has designated the following Monday a national holiday. But the generals didn't foresee a rather unfortunate scheduling conflict: Aug. 19 happens to be the very day when Thaksin's team hosts its crosstown foe, Manchester United — a match that will be available on cable in Thailand. Thai soccer fans won't want to miss the game, especially given how popular United is in Southeast Asia. No points for guessing which team Bangkok's military brass will be supporting.

From: TIME, August 17, 2007

LaoPo

[mrbojangles]

[redrus]

Oi, Jo Mangles, give over.........

redrus

[redrus]

FootyMAD's Manchester City match preview

Sunday 19th August 2007

FootyMad attempt to assist you with their form guide as Manchester City take on Manchester United in a Premier League match on Sunday 19th August 2007 at 13:30.

Footymad preview

History of the Manchester City v Manchester United fixture

Man. Utd. face a trip to Manchester City at City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday afternoon,

The most recent encounter between these two sides was less than a year ago, in May 2007, with Man. Utd. inflicting a narrow 0 - 1 defeat upon the Sky Blues in a Premiership match.

For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here

Recent encounters between the teams:

2006/2007 Sat 05 May Man. City 0 - 1 Man. Utd. PREM

2006/2007 Sat 09 Dec Man. Utd. 3 - 1 Man. City PREM

2005/2006 Sat 14 Jan Man. City 3 - 1 Man. Utd. PREM

2005/2006 Sat 10 Sep Man. Utd. 1 - 1 Man. City PREM

2004/2005 Sun 13 Feb Man. City 0 - 2 Man. Utd. PREM

2004/2005 Sun 07 Nov Man. Utd. 0 - 0 Man. City PREM

2003/2004 Sun 14 Mar Man. City 4 - 1 Man. Utd. PREM

4 Jan Man. City 3 - 1 Man. Utd. PREM

2005/2006 Sat 10 Sep Man. Utd. 1 - 1 Man. City PREM

2004/2005 Sun 13 Feb Man. City 0 - 2 Man. Utd. PREM

2004/2005 Sun 07 Nov Man. Utd. 0 - 0 Man. City PREM

2003/2004 Sun 14 Mar Man. City 4 - 1 Man. Utd. PREM

Recent respective form guides

Manchester City's poor home run has seen them win just 1 and draw 2 of the last six. Sky Blues have conceded a disappointing 4 goals in this period, and managed to convert only 1 of their own chances.

Man. Utd.'s away form is none too clever either, with two wins, two draws, and two defeats. The Red Devils's have scored 7 goals in these games, but conceded an alarming 8.

Man. City sit in a healthy 2nd in the league, and have picked up 6 points from their 2 games. Man. Utd. see themselves just below half way in the Barclays Premier League, showing a record of 2 points from their 2 games played so far,

For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here

Current form guides: P W D L F A P

Man. City 6 2 1 3 5 6 7

Man. Utd. 6 0 4 2 2 4 4

FootyMad's prediction ...

Man. Utd. have an average recent record on the road, and this could be the reason why Man. City may poach a narrow victory, according to the Madmen. Home win

Sequence statistics:

Man. City 4 games since last home draw.

Not drawn a match in their last 5 .

Man. Utd. Previous 2 away games have finished all-square.

Not won in previous 4 away matches.

Drawn each of the last 3 games.

No win in the 6 most recent games.

HHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...................!!!!!

redrus

[scousemouse]

I reckon it's still early enough in the season for City to cause an upset but eventually the cream will rise to the top .

[mrtoad]

Footballs a really simple game. The team that scores the most goals win, it doesn't matter how well you play and how much psssesion, it is puttinh the ball in the net that counts.

I thought United played very well again in two thirds of the pitch, but again it has been the lack of a killer touch in that final third that has proved costly again this evening. Once again, Uniteds strikers were dominated by a centre back. Last week Duberry and this week Richards. Seven points already dropped is a big problem, becasue they will certinly drop more points along the way, it will be interesting noew to see how Cheslsea respond to this, but by tonight they could be seven points clear of United. Last season Uniteds flying start was proabably the decising factor, but now they can ill afford to drop too many more points in the next month.

I'll say it again, but tonight again showed that United for all there attacking wealth are missing an out and out striker.

[Sunderland]

Footballs a really simple game. The team that scores the most goals win, it doesn't matter how well you play and how much psssesion, it is puttinh the ball in the net that counts.

I thought United played very well again in two thirds of the pitch, but again it has been the lack of a killer touch in that final third that has proved costly again this evening. Once again, Uniteds strikers were dominated by a centre back. Last week Duberry and this week Richards. Seven points already dropped is a big problem, becasue they will certinly drop more points along the way, it will be interesting noew to see how Cheslsea respond to this, but by tonight they could be seven points clear of United. Last season Uniteds flying start was proabably the decising factor, but now they can ill afford to drop too many more points in the next month.

I'll say it again, but tonight again showed that United for all there attacking wealth are missing an out and out striker.

Please sign Andy Cole to solve your goalscoring problem before we do. Thank you.

Oh ... and can we borrow Simpson, Evans, OGS and Ronaldo for the rest of the season?

Thanks.

[LaoPo]

Ouch for United...

Manchester City - Manchester United 1-0

LaoPo

[game4shame]

man utd heading deeper into the relegation battle.

[muckypups]

This article from the Guardian puts things in perspective..

Geovanni's lucky strike punishes prodigal United

At this stage of the season it is never wise to set too much store by the Premier League table, but forgive Manchester City's supporters if they are unable to resist the temptation. Their team is squatting defiantly at the summit after yesterday's derby and, when there is the added joy of seeing United grubbing around for points among lesser lights, so what if the new campaign is barely one week old?

"If you could have points for possession of the ball and for shots, on and off target, we would have lost," Sven-Goran Eriksson reflected at the end of a match in which not even the most impassioned City supporter could truthfully recall a five-minute period when the team in blue managed any form of superiority. "But we scored a goal and they didn't."

Even Eriksson wanted to express sympathy with City's opponents as he tried to make sense of a game that could be replayed a thousand and one times and would never cease to amaze.

"It will take a long time to explain," Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged, and there was crushing disappointment in those rheumy eyes. "When you consider the number of chances we have had, plus our possession in the final third of the pitch, we really should have made it count. We've just been wasteful in front of goal, and that's the nuts and bolts of it. I don't think we can even say City were lucky."

Ferguson may change his mind when he considers Kasper Schmeichel's jitters in the home goal and, again, when he analyses the decisive deflection that Geovanni's 20-yard drive took off Nemanja Vidic's instep for the game's only goal, in precisely the area of the pitch that Owen Hargreaves, making his debut, was supposed to be protecting.

United attacked with pace and purpose, they stretched their opponents, forced corner after corner, rattled the woodwork and laid siege to Schmeichel's goal. In many ways, it was the most one-sided derby here for years - a comprehensive 0-1 thrashing, if you like - but Eriksson will not mind if the victory was fortuitous.

All of which means United have taken only two points from their first three games and are languishing in 16th position on the Premier League table. "We've got ourselves in an uphill fight now," said Ferguson. "Ten years ago we could have handled that because we have always been good in the second half of the season, and now we are going to have to be. The most important thing is to get that first win under our belts. Our next home match against Tottenham is a very important one."

Only the seriously deluded could believe that the damage is irreparable but this is still a deeply worrying time for Ferguson. His complaints about missed chances have been a recurring theme in their opening programme and, having spent so much money on bringing in English football's version of the galácticos, it is peculiar, to say the least, that it is such an issue.

His dismay was exacerbated because City, for the most part, were completely ineffectual when going forward while Schmeichel was, at best, vulnerable and, at worst, a danger to his own team. The young Dane may have a famous surname but he was frequently stranded in his six-yard area, particularly when dealing with Ryan Giggs's corners. His promotion from fourth to first choice has clearly come too soon.

How did he get away with it? Largely because United were missing Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer through injury and Carlos Tevez was too eager to impress, snatching at two very presentable chances. Patrice Evra and the otherwise impressive Nani missed even easier opportunities but it is difficult to begrudge City. What they lacked in quality, Eriksson's side made up for in endeavour, from Dietmar Hamann and Michael Johnson in midfield to Richard Dunne and Micah Richards in defence.

Richards, in particular, produced a colossal performance, making at least half a dozen telling interceptions or saving tackles, and he surely deserves a starting place in England's friendly against Germany on Wednesday.

The only downside for City was the news that Valeri Bojinov might face a lengthy lay-off after his early departure on a stretcher. That apart, however, this was Eriksson's "perfect day" and City's supporters will not care whether the win was lucky as they flick through the record books to find out the last time they were seven points better off than their most despised rivals.

While one team from Manchester can boast an immaculate record of achievement, the other is still looking for its first victory of the season, with only one goal in three games and still to face a side with realistic aspirations of finishing in the top six. Eriksson is enjoying his honeymoon period, but who could have foreseen it would coincide with United enduring their worst start to a season for 15 years?

Man of the match Micah Richards (Manchester City)

We'll be back... and that's a fact

[mrbojangles]

Morning chaps

[mrtoad]

Morning chaps

Good afternoon

It's very nice and warm here. Hows Manchester?

[mrbojangles]

Morning chaps

Good afternoon

It's very nice and warm here. Hows Manchester?

Manchester is full of joy today thanks MrToad. I don't think the southerners are too happy with United's result though

The weather's nice and warm in LOS then? Great, i land in Bangers on saturday morning. Can't wait

[muckypups]

Morning chaps

Sigh..., I knew it...

Well done Mr B.. looks like old Sven might have what it takes after all.. Micah Richards (and Dunne)..Outstanding performances..

[mrtoad]

Morning chaps

Sigh..., I knew it...

Well done Mr B.. looks like old Sven might have what it takes after all.. Micah Richards (and Dunne)..Outstanding performances..

Here, here. Got to take the rough with the smooth.

[spot]

Maybe there's something in getting so many new players together at short notice. City did seem to play well as a team, still a bit unsure at times, but you could see the team spirit in the body language.

United still had chances, but couldn't put them away.

Still a long way to go, but it's looking good for City.

[mrbojangles]

Morning chaps

Sigh..., I knew it...

Well done Mr B.. looks like old Sven might have what it takes after all.. Micah Richards (and Dunne)..Outstanding performances..

Cheers Mucky Just waiting for congrats from Red and Nev now

United still had chances, but couldn't put them away.

Yeah, i agree. We didn't play better than Utd, it was just that they couldn't finish. How Shrek 2 missed that header i'll never know!!

[mrtoad]

I think he should go and buy Anelka, that wouldn't be a bad bit of business IMO. I can't see the incredible sulk being to happy for much longer at Bolton if there results continue in the current vein. Other than that, I am at a loss to who else they could sign that might even be remotely available.

[muckypups]

Mr Toad, do you think Querioz might have been driving strategy (and therefore new signings) these last months? Because it's obvious that we need an out and out striker.. also, no defensive cover? We look like Arsenal in their recent seasons.. beautiful to watch.. up to a point..

(I agree, assuming Berbatov is hardly about to jump ship.. we could do worse than Anelka.. But, needless to say, the die is no doubt cast )

[mrtoad]

Mr Toad, do you think Querioz might have been driving strategy (and therefore new signings) these last months? Because it's obvious that we need an out and out striker.. also, no defensive cover? We look like Arsenal in their recent seasons.. beautiful to watch.. up to a point..

(I agree, assuming Berbatov is hardly about to jump ship.. we could do worse than Anelka.. But, needless to say, the die is no doubt cast )

Yes mucky, I agree fully about the comparison with Arsenal. It is all to reminiscent of them over the past two season, lots of lovely approach play but no end result. I'm not preparing to panic, but I think that it was quite obvious at the end of last season that a defender and an out and out striker were also needed.

I do beleive that Nani, Hargreves, Anderson and Tevez will certainly be valuable assets, but my feeling is that they have been bought more with Europe in mind.

Pique may well play a few more games this season, as he had a good loan season in the Spanish league last year, and when I have seen him play he looks a good player. I think they need a right back, as this Neville injury is obviously a problem, and there's still no real comeback date. In fairness though, Brown has been playing reasonablly well and there are options in that they can swap a few players around such as O'Shea, Silvestre and Evra.

I didn't suggest Berbatov, as he looks pretty much settled for this season, although that may change come the January window.

[muckypups]

I do beleive that Nani, Hargreves, Anderson and Tevez will certainly be valuable assets, but my feeling is that they have been bought more with Europe in mind.

Very true.. plus, they have to settle in..

The injury to Rooney and the loss of Ronaldo for three games is a big blow. If you consider that the attitude seems to be.."No problem, almost all of our players can score goals" then we are exposed when missing those two players who between them accounted for 46 (?) of our tally last season. In the end we're continuing where we left of in May, stuttering..

My concerns are, as you pointed out; Neville, has he got the final, career ending, nagging injury..? Scholes and Giggs; can they shoulder the burden for yet another season, remain injury free?

We have an ever youthful side.. we just might have to bite the bullet this season and accept that we are in transition...

(Good point about Berbatov.. if it all goes pear shaped at WHL then he may be available in January...Sorry Chon.. )

[mrbojangles]

BREAKING NEWS:-

Man United have bought a much needed new striker. A chinese international...

called:- Win Won Suun !!!

[mrtoad]

Some good news, Heinze can't join the scum

Also rumours now abound about Martins at Newcastle and Anelka at Bolton. Might be an interesting week.

[mrbojangles]

Some good news, Heinze can't join the scum

Not good news for Heinze though

I don't understand why you want to keep him anyway. If the guy wants to leave, let him go. He's not that good anyway.

[mrtoad]

Some good news, Heinze can't join the scum

Not good news for Heinze though

I don't understand why you want to keep him anyway. If the guy wants to leave, let him go. He's not that good anyway.

He can go anywhere, but not there.

I'm sure he's going to enjoy his next 6 mnths playing reserve football and training with the youth team.