With the new season a little over a month away, I am getting really excited about the start of the new season. I wanted to play a little catch up on my blog about the preseason lengthy schedule and the positive effects it will have on the team. I also wanted to talk about the new Away and Alternative kit for Manchester United for their coming season.
The preseason already began and I won't to let everyone know you can watch all the preseason games on MUTV online. You have to pay for it but its only 8 bucks a month for News updates, reserves games, highlights and replays, and all the preseason games live. Anyways we played Aberdeen on Saturday and walked away with a 2-0 win. Michael Carrick scored a PK after Rooney was cut down by an Aberdeen defender. Then Wayne Rooney headed home a cross from the right side of the field in the second half, placing it over the keepers head on the far side. It was a great goal and left me thinking, maybe Shrek can score 20+ this coming year. All and all i felt as Fergie did that no one really impressed but I will say Carrick and Rooney both looked good. They both had a lot of quality passes, touches, and two good goals. Carrick calmly place the PK in the bottom corner and Rooney had a great header. I hope that is a common theme throughout the rest of the season.
The preseason continues this Saturday when United kick off there preseason tour of South Africa. The first game is against Kaizer Chiefs, a power house club by South African standards. The next stop is on Tuesday 7/22 when they take on another good S. African side, the Orlando Pirates. The next game on 7/26 will have the winner of the Kaizer Chief v. Orlando Pirates game play the Red Devils. Then the following day a game against Portsmouth in Nigeria. Rio Ferdinand is looking forward to this match as he does extensive charity work in the African country. Then its a bit of a break to travel back home and then we play RSD Espanyol at Old Trafford. This game on August 2nd will be a great game for the club as it is the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer testimonial match. I think we all can agree that the Baby Faced Assassin will always be a United legend and was a true great to football. Then we play Peterborough away on the 4th of August. Finally we finish our preseason against Juventus at home on the 6th of August in what will also be the trophy presentation to the fans, will Ronaldo be there?
The lengthy preseason I think will be a great thing as it will get our large squad plenty of minutes to get everyone up to a good fitness standard before the long really tough season in front of us. We need to be able to count on our bench like we could last year and part of that is getting all of them plenty of minutes.
Some absentees will be Anderson and Dong Fanzhou as both will be representing their respected countries in the Olympics. I am really happy about this because both need more experience and what great experience to have. I hope they fair well and hope the U.S.A. can make some needed progress in the competition so I can have something to hope for.
We have new away and alternative kits for the coming year. The away kits are ugly and the alternative kit are solid blue and look good. Not sure what the idea was for the new away kits, one blog described it as looking like a Navy sailors outfight and I could not agree more.
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
News Update
Some up to date news on the Red Devils:
United have had a bid rejected for 19-year old Chilean born rising star Alexis Sanchez. I don't know much about him besides what I read in the article on SkySports.com. It seems United will try again with a higher bid to bring in the youngster who is seen, as a "long-term" replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo. It would be nice to keep Ronaldo for another two years and see what this kid can do then. Hopefully the transfer will work out and United can add another young star to their already growing list.
It seems Roque Santa Cruz can be taken off our transfer list as he is staying con
centrated on next season with Blackburn. Obviously this could change but it does seem strange that Blackburn would let their best striker leave especially to a team so close to home. United seem more interested in Berbatov, so this comes as more of a blow to Tottenham who saw Cruz as a replacement for Berbatov who seems to be destined to Old Trafford.
Two coaches have said they are not interested in becoming Manchester U
nited's #2. Gus Poyet, the assistant coach at Tottenham, seems intent on staying put and has a decent job at Tottenham. Tottenham are going to be a quality team, and could really push in the UEFA cup, as well as the FA and League Cup. The EPL seems to much for the club to reach but I think a top 4 finish might not be to far off if things continue to go well in the transfer market. Paulo Bento, the up and coming youn coach for Sporting Club in Portugal has said he has no intention of leaving the Portuguese giants. Seemed a strange choice for Fergie. I hope Fergie ultimately promotes someone from within. United have quality, respected coaches on the staff and would be better to stay with coaches who understand the greatness of Manchester United.
In the Ronaldo news you can add Fabio Cannavaro, Italy's captain and Madrid defender, to the list of ones who think Ronaldo should see out his contract. Seems strange a player from within would speak out against the club in anyway but good to hear some reason coming from the club, even if it is one player. I hope we learn something new this week about the Ronaldo saga that brings is closer to its end.
United have had a bid rejected for 19-year old Chilean born rising star Alexis Sanchez. I don't know much about him besides what I read in the article on SkySports.com. It seems United will try again with a higher bid to bring in the youngster who is seen, as a "long-term" replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo. It would be nice to keep Ronaldo for another two years and see what this kid can do then. Hopefully the transfer will work out and United can add another young star to their already growing list.It seems Roque Santa Cruz can be taken off our transfer list as he is staying con
centrated on next season with Blackburn. Obviously this could change but it does seem strange that Blackburn would let their best striker leave especially to a team so close to home. United seem more interested in Berbatov, so this comes as more of a blow to Tottenham who saw Cruz as a replacement for Berbatov who seems to be destined to Old Trafford.Two coaches have said they are not interested in becoming Manchester U
nited's #2. Gus Poyet, the assistant coach at Tottenham, seems intent on staying put and has a decent job at Tottenham. Tottenham are going to be a quality team, and could really push in the UEFA cup, as well as the FA and League Cup. The EPL seems to much for the club to reach but I think a top 4 finish might not be to far off if things continue to go well in the transfer market. Paulo Bento, the up and coming youn coach for Sporting Club in Portugal has said he has no intention of leaving the Portuguese giants. Seemed a strange choice for Fergie. I hope Fergie ultimately promotes someone from within. United have quality, respected coaches on the staff and would be better to stay with coaches who understand the greatness of Manchester United.
In the Ronaldo news you can add Fabio Cannavaro, Italy's captain and Madrid defender, to the list of ones who think Ronaldo should see out his contract. Seems strange a player from within would speak out against the club in anyway but good to hear some reason coming from the club, even if it is one player. I hope we learn something new this week about the Ronaldo saga that brings is closer to its end.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
What else can the summer bring?
This has been a difficult summer for United fans. Things are not suppose to happen like this once you've won the European Champions League, but U.S. fans should know better. We have plenty of experience with what happens when teams win the big game, the players' egos grow and grow, and more money is a must.
Take the New York footballing Giants. They go on a 10 game-road winning streak to reach the Super Bowl and cause the biggest upset in NFL history. Tyree catches a pass that might go down as the best play in Super Bowl history and the team no one picked to win comes away with the ring. A great game to end a great NFL season, but what followed? The players' egos grew. As they should have. When you win a game like that, and reach the summit of your profession it is understandable you would fill self-assured and confident in your ability. This feeling leads to the inevitable "I want what I deserve," at least one player will ask for a new contract and bring some off-season controversy to the newly crowned champions. Plaxico has asked for more money, and now he says he will sit out until his contract shines as much as his Super Bowl ring. M. Strahan retires and leaves the best defensive line in football possibly crippled, and not to mention some key defenders move on to new teams for bigger contracts. This happens in every sport in America during every off-season, so why am I so shocked about Manchester United's summer?
The simple answer, I have never seen this in soccer. Yes there are always transfers in the summer and United will always be involved. However, you never saw the big players at the big clubs ask out when they are playing on a regular basis, for a championship winning team. You didn't see Zidane wanting out of Madrid after they won the Champions League, did you?
What has shocked me the most is obviously Ronaldo. This to me is like Eli Manning, Kevin Garnett, or Big Papi wanting out after winning their respective championship. Ronaldo continues to dumbfound me week in and week out. His comments during the Euros that gave United fans hope and at the same time took it all away. His family members saying he wants to stay, his friends and coaches saying he wants to leave. He, himself, admitting it would be a dream to play for Madrid but never simply saying, "I want to leave United and go to Madrid." Then having other people chime in and give their opinion on the matter. Lets go through the list.
Sepp Blatter opened his big mouth last week and claimed modern footballers, like Ronaldo, are being treated like slaves. Which I won't go into the ridiculous nature of his comments as others have taken care of that already. However, I will say this, when you're the President of FIFA who deals with impoverished countries who have serious issues with slavery and child labor, it seems slightly irresponsible to claim a player making over $100,000 a-WEEK to play soccer for a living, and subsequently can have virtually anything he wants is a slave.
Michel Platini, the UEFA president, said United should forget that they are in the right and let Ronaldo do what he wants. If Madrid wants him and they have the money, they should get him. His comments are ridiculous enough but what I can't understand is WHY IS HE SHARING HIS VIEW?
We don't see Roger Goodell, David Stern, or even Bud Selig sharing their views about trades or free agent signings. It is none of their business and if they did share their views, the media and team ownership would crucify said commissioners and they would be out of a job. I remember when Bud Selig was gaining controversy for not showing Barry Bond's more support in his home run record chase, and almost everyone hates Barry Bonds. But it would seem Platini and Blatter have different standards.
These two men sum up the idiot comments that others have made but luckily some people can see things clearly. Pele has come out and said if Ronaldo signed a contract, tough beans he signed a contract and modern footballers don't = slaves. Harry Redknapp and Steve Bruce have come out and said the comments Blatter made are wrong. And the PFA chairmen has even come out in opposition to Blatter and called his comment irresponsible.
This summer is like any other sporting off-season. Turmoil and indecision as players try and get more money or move to a new club. Whether Ronaldo stays or goes obviously hasn't been decided, if a decision had been made Fergie would not be making comments to make him look stupid once the transfer goes through. No matter what occurs United will live on and will continue to be the greatest club in the world. United still have a strong team with or without Ronaldo, and I am sure Fergie will replace Ronaldo - if need be - and create a new system that is as effective as last years, maybe more so.
In other summer news:
A lot of questions remain to be answered:
Make sure to tune in to all the pre-season games on MUTV online and just remember that United We'll NEVER DIE!!!
Take the New York footballing Giants. They go on a 10 game-road winning streak to reach the Super Bowl and cause the biggest upset in NFL history. Tyree catches a pass that might go down as the best play in Super Bowl history and the team no one picked to win comes away with the ring. A great game to end a great NFL season, but what followed? The players' egos grew. As they should have. When you win a game like that, and reach the summit of your profession it is understandable you would fill self-assured and confident in your ability. This feeling leads to the inevitable "I want what I deserve," at least one player will ask for a new contract and bring some off-season controversy to the newly crowned champions. Plaxico has asked for more money, and now he says he will sit out until his contract shines as much as his Super Bowl ring. M. Strahan retires and leaves the best defensive line in football possibly crippled, and not to mention some key defenders move on to new teams for bigger contracts. This happens in every sport in America during every off-season, so why am I so shocked about Manchester United's summer?
The simple answer, I have never seen this in soccer. Yes there are always transfers in the summer and United will always be involved. However, you never saw the big players at the big clubs ask out when they are playing on a regular basis, for a championship winning team. You didn't see Zidane wanting out of Madrid after they won the Champions League, did you?
What has shocked me the most is obviously Ronaldo. This to me is like Eli Manning, Kevin Garnett, or Big Papi wanting out after winning their respective championship. Ronaldo continues to dumbfound me week in and week out. His comments during the Euros that gave United fans hope and at the same time took it all away. His family members saying he wants to stay, his friends and coaches saying he wants to leave. He, himself, admitting it would be a dream to play for Madrid but never simply saying, "I want to leave United and go to Madrid." Then having other people chime in and give their opinion on the matter. Lets go through the list.
Sepp Blatter opened his big mouth last week and claimed modern footballers, like Ronaldo, are being treated like slaves. Which I won't go into the ridiculous nature of his comments as others have taken care of that already. However, I will say this, when you're the President of FIFA who deals with impoverished countries who have serious issues with slavery and child labor, it seems slightly irresponsible to claim a player making over $100,000 a-WEEK to play soccer for a living, and subsequently can have virtually anything he wants is a slave.
Michel Platini, the UEFA president, said United should forget that they are in the right and let Ronaldo do what he wants. If Madrid wants him and they have the money, they should get him. His comments are ridiculous enough but what I can't understand is WHY IS HE SHARING HIS VIEW?
We don't see Roger Goodell, David Stern, or even Bud Selig sharing their views about trades or free agent signings. It is none of their business and if they did share their views, the media and team ownership would crucify said commissioners and they would be out of a job. I remember when Bud Selig was gaining controversy for not showing Barry Bond's more support in his home run record chase, and almost everyone hates Barry Bonds. But it would seem Platini and Blatter have different standards.
These two men sum up the idiot comments that others have made but luckily some people can see things clearly. Pele has come out and said if Ronaldo signed a contract, tough beans he signed a contract and modern footballers don't = slaves. Harry Redknapp and Steve Bruce have come out and said the comments Blatter made are wrong. And the PFA chairmen has even come out in opposition to Blatter and called his comment irresponsible.
This summer is like any other sporting off-season. Turmoil and indecision as players try and get more money or move to a new club. Whether Ronaldo stays or goes obviously hasn't been decided, if a decision had been made Fergie would not be making comments to make him look stupid once the transfer goes through. No matter what occurs United will live on and will continue to be the greatest club in the world. United still have a strong team with or without Ronaldo, and I am sure Fergie will replace Ronaldo - if need be - and create a new system that is as effective as last years, maybe more so.
In other summer news:
- Fletcher says he wants to stay at United even with a good Everton squad chasing his signature.
- Manucho is reportedly injured and could be out all pre-season. I hope this kid gets his chance because he could become scary good. I realize he is already 25 but he is good in the air, good touch, and great speed. If he could break into the first 11, United could be scary good, like they were last year.
- The biggest hit so far to United is Carlos Queiroz leaving to go coach Portugal. He was a great manager and helped this team in ways behind the scenes. He ran every training session and became a father figure to the younger players. He helped secure the signature of Anderson, Nani, and Manucho and was a key part to last year's success. No one blames him for wanting to coach his country and I hope he can do well. Maybe if he does well and Fergie last to the summer of 2010, then we could see Queiroz come back after a successful World Cup campaign with Portugal. He had some great words for Fergie, you can read them in this article.
A lot of questions remain to be answered:
- Who will replace Queiroz as United's number 2? I hope for Keano but I think he is happy at Sunderland.
- Will Fergie be forced to buy a striker, now that Manucho might be out all pre-season? I believe he will sign a new striker but not because of Manucho.
- What will happen with Ronaldo? I believe he will leave, and it will be a good thing in the long run. I was worried we got close to becoming a one man team near the end of last year and if he does go I am sure we will replace him the best we can and bring others in to score the missing 42 goals.
Make sure to tune in to all the pre-season games on MUTV online and just remember that United We'll NEVER DIE!!!
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