The Manchester United thread

[Tommy Smith]

United have reason to be confident. Barca will have unfamiliar faces at both right-back and left-back so i reckon the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney, Park and Evra will be able to cause havoc.

I think the fact that United have their best back 4 available compared to Barca who are missing Alves, Abidal and Marquez is absolutely massive.

Having said that Barca are still a team capable of putting 3 or 4 on any team on their day. What a cracker it will be.

 

[Jason Maher]

I'm so hoping I don't sleep through the bloody alarm like I did ten years ago. At least I've got IQ this time if it does happen, but this kind of match has to be watched live. I don't think I'll be able to stand watching it later not knowing the result.

Yes, we certainly have the rock-solid defence to keep Barca at bay, but for all the talk of their attacking prowess, we don't exactly lack in that department - Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov, and Scholes, Park, and Giggs are quite adept from the midfield. We have been a little wasteful in our finishing at times this season though. Our layup work is generally sublime, and we tend to win because we create so many chances that one or two of them have to go in eventually.

The key for United is to stand strong at the back and shut down Messi, Eto'o and Henry. The key for Barca is to interrupt our passing game, as we like to pass it around just outside the box and wait for an opportunity to present itself.

 

[sydraider]

Ahh well.........

 

[Matt23]

Great, now will have to listen to certain posters crap on about, how we're "chokers", Barca were the better team on the night...

 

[Ridders]

There was nothing to choke on, don't see who would make that claim. Simply outclassed.

 

[Jason Maher]

Not sure why we didn't play our usual 4-4-2 with Ronaldo out wide. Having the extra man up front did us no good at all because our midfield was dominated and we couldn't get the ball to the front men. Not saying it would have made a difference to the result, but I'm sure an extra man in the midfield would have helped us control the ball better and shut down their run better. I also think Berbatov should have started. We needed someone out there who could maintain possession under pressure, and he is one of the best at precisely that.

Oh well, can't win 'em all, and our 18th title isn't too bad a consolation prize.

 

[Ridders]

I have to admit i was a bit surprised with United's line up. How often does Ronaldo start as a lone striker? Starting with Giggs was a nice touch, but backfired badly. He was a mere passenger. Had to love Scholes "tackle" on Busquets. The old timer keeping to his form.

 

[Matt23]

There was nothing to choke on, don't see who would make that claim.

Shines will...

 

[Jason Maher]

@Matt23: just noticed your location mate. I heartily approve.

 

[Mad Dogg]

I agreed entirely with the starting line-up, it was exactly the one I was hoping to see.

But by half-time it obviously needed changes, and I think Fergie made a mistake then. We were actually getting more possession than I had expected we would, but simply couldn't do anything with it. In my opinion Berbatov was the one who should've come on then, as he could've given Carrick some help with holding the ball (since no-one else was) and looking to create something.

 

[DB]

Future shirt sponsor unveiled
Manchester United today announced that it has reached a significant global partnership and principal sponsorship agreement with Aon Corporation, the world’s leading risk advisor and human capital consultant, to take effect from the start of the 2010/11 season. Terms of the partnership were not announced.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, the Aon brand will feature on the world-famous Manchester United shirt for four years. Announcing the deal, Manchester United chief executive David Gill said, “We are delighted to be entering such an important relationship with a company of the stature of Aon and to have its logo adorn our shirts from the start of the 2010/11 season.

"We look forward to being closely aligned with the world leader in risk management, a firm which shares our values and is an exciting partner for Manchester United. Today's announcement clearly strengthens our position as one of the biggest clubs in world football."

"It is a unique opportunity when two leaders in their respective fields can come together in a partnership such as the one we are announcing today,” added Greg Case, president and chief executive officer of Aon.

“Manchester United has one of the most recognised sports brands in the world. David and his team are all about winning and about excellence; the same holds true for the Aon team. We play to win in our business, and that is why we believe this partnership will create tremendous benefits for both organisations worldwide.

“While we are delighted that our brand will be showcased to over 330 million fans of Manchester United as well as the countless followers of football worldwide, we also are extremely excited about the opportunity to maximise the value of this partnership globally.”

 

[Matt23]

Well it's finally happened...who (if anyone) will replace Ronaldo? I suspect it will be Antonio Valencia...which won't impress me greatly.

 

[WireMan]

Well it's finally happened...who (if anyone) will replace Ronaldo? I suspect it will be Antonio Valencia...which won't impress me greatly.

He may come in as a squad player but i don't see him as a Ronaldo replacement. Hopefully he can strengthen the right hand side defence and Ronney can move inside supporting Berba and those two can score more goals.

We need a new left winger to step up (nani, tosic) or be bought (Silva, Ribery). And poss a new centre mid (we look a bit thin there). De rossi has been linked but we will see.

 

[Matt23]

De Rossi would be nice, can't see Roma giving him up too easily though...

 

[ParraDude_Jay]

van der Sar
Maicon - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra
Valencia - Carrick - Hargreaves - Park
Rooney - Benzema

Subs:
Foster (GK)
Rafael
Evans
Anderson
Fletcher
Nani
Berbatov

My dream post-Ronaldo team. No f**king chance though, Lyon would expect the majority of the fee from the Ronaldo sale for Benzema and United won't pay it. No club is going to sell for a reasonable price knowing we have all of this money to spend. Madrid have completely f**ked the transfer market with their spending.
​

 

[Matt23]

You don't think we'll do any better then Valencia to replace Ronaldo?

 

[RedVGooner]

van der Sar
Maicon - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra
Valencia - Carrick - Hargreaves - Park
Rooney - Benzema

Subs:
Foster (GK)
Rafael
Evans
Anderson
Fletcher
Nani
Berbatov

My dream post-Ronaldo team. No f**king chance though, Lyon would expect the majority of the fee from the Ronaldo sale for Benzema and United won't pay it. No club is going to sell for a reasonable price knowing we have all of this money to spend. Madrid have completely f**ked the transfer market with their spending.
​

You hit the nail on the head about Madrid's spending. If i was Man Utd ill look at Alexis Sanchez, he is a much better prospect then Valencia.

 

[ParraDude_Jay]

You don't think we'll do any better then Valencia to replace Ronaldo?

No, if Ronaldo is worth 80 million how much do you think Bayern are going to want for Ribery? And there's no other winger in the world who comes close to Ronaldo.

IMO we're better off signing a decent player like Valencia and putting the money towards a young player who could be even better than Ronaldo in Benzema.

 

[Ridders]

No, if Ronaldo is worth 80 million how much do you think Bayern are going to want for Ribery? And there's no other winger in the world who comes close to Ronaldo.

IMO we're better off signing a decent player like Valencia and putting the money towards a young player who could be even better than Ronaldo in Benzema.

Lol he's gone for a couple of days and already United Fans are getting delusional. There is NO WAY Benzema ends up being better than Ronaldo. He'll do well to put himself into the echelon of Zlatan, Eto'o, Torres and Villa.

 

[ParraDude_Jay]

And a couple of days after he's gone then the dippers finally acknowledge what a fantastic player he is and has always been. Funny.