The Manchester United thread 2006/2007 - featuring BBB leaving early

[Saha]

and he's since played for Liverpool and Arsenal, the ****.

[Nick OGS20]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Francis Cole:

Ben Forster -9 tbf though </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Useless research monkey can't even spell his name right

I know this guy says he gets to loads of reserve games, so how he can not even rate Evans as a -8 is baffling - he was probably second only to Rossi last season on reserve performance and most people rate him at least on a par with Pique now, if not higher. I know it's all about opinions but that's just a joke.

[?]

Right can I make a prediction? No replacement for Van Nistelrooy signed this summer. BUT, Klass-Jan Huntelaar signed from Ajax in January

[Goater666]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nick OGS20?:

Ofc, all this is irrelevant, the best news of the summer is in - Joey Barton signing a new deal at Citeh </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Have you already forgotton who scored at the swamp last season when we played you?

[Shonte]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by joe_cole:

And you'll be prepared for the consequences, yes?? As it happens one of the people I work for is in Brighton today. We're having dinner at Latin in the Lanes at 9pm this evening.

His name is Marcus, big bloke, dark hair and a scar across his neck. I'll(tall and skinny) be with him in the restaraunt, see you there </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sounds a bit gay

[Mika]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by John Van Lampard:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Ruud to be unveiled at 6pm as a Real player </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I wonder if he will speak and if he does will he speak spanish? Does he even know the language? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No idea, I wouldn't have thought so but we shall see.

[CM GOD 69]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">That'll be if we win the CL or something. So Spurs won't be seeing that money. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>You will with him in your team, he's great.

[Taz & The Devil]

Silvestre is brilliant.

[Becks]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Blaine:

I've heard Hargreaves deal is on, possibly for Thursday... £10m. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

WHY did I get my shirt printed already. I thought about waiting, and then the Carrick deal went through and I stck with the tried and tested MAY 4. "Hargreaves won't sign now, there's no point waiting".

I guess this means I'll have to buy an away shirt.

[Keyser]

I changed my mind and have included Cronnie and NO scousers.

[ACou2000]

It works for the scousers though, I cant deny it

[Keyser]

2nd

[Mika]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nick OGS20:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Argel:

07? is Ginger? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oooooh you're a dead man

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You wish.

[ACou2000]

yeah nice CL draw. could have been a lot worse. but not taking anything for granted.

btw only JUST finally seen the goals from Charlton.... Fletch's trickery ffffb... Saha's strike ffb... Ole just God.

Looked very good. trying to find some proper highlights of the game now..

[BBB]

:*)

[Saha]

Fergie will try to drink him before the game.

[BBB]

Beckham realllllllly bugs me

"I was sick when I was dropped"

wah wah wah

stfu you whining tart

[snipersdream]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Terry Cheung:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by snipersdream:

Jonny Evans will be our captain for ten years. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

A worthy successor to the long line of homegrown defensive talents including Chris Casper, Pat McGibbon and John O'Shea. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You forgot John O'Kane. Anyway, Evans WILL be different. I'm willing to stake my impeccable* OTF reputation on it.

*Uh, perhaps not

[Scatter]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ACou2000:

glory supporting

WHAT GLORY </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Perth Glory?

[James07?]

Nick, just in case you miss it in the FM thread. Any chance you can post a list of suggested data changes for United?

[No Longer Bling]

apologies for not voting for you ec7, purely down to the fact i dont see you post that much

[BBB]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ericcantona7:

I already do. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Nick OGS20]

I am yet to buy my Benfica ticket. I was going to do so tomorrow. Really not sure I want to pay £30 to watch us crash out of Europe again - I was gutted enough last year just watching it on telly.

Seriously feeling like we got completely mugged there - we didn't help our cause with some atrocious final balls/finishing, but without the abysmal referee's intervention we were getting the draw we needed without a shadow of a doubt. Now we're probably looking at 2nd place in the group at best, and Benfica look a better side than when we beat them away.

All so f**king needless had we just not arsed about in Copenhagen or showed some urgency tonight. I'm getting annoyed with this Rooney on the left, Giggs through the middle thing - it's all very well dominating possession and using it as a variation but we needed Wayne in and around the box far more.

ARGH

[ACou2000]

haha

legend

[BBB]

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to see United win away

HEY

[Saha]

U up 4 gab trans 2 u 4 hargs?

[Taz & The Devil]

Giggsy

[Taz & The Devil]

I'm going to have the last laugh with Rossi because hes going to be a superstar.

[Razor Eddie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Weststandred:

I can't get through to the ticketline... again.

I need to apply for Reading in the cup, it would have been so much easier to have joined the auto cup scheme. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

My turn to gloat over WSR.

I've sorted mine already.

[Mika]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Coldberg:

Scholes interview

We are honored. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Mika]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Berger questions Speed's commitment

Convinced Liuzzi has the right frame of mind

Team co-owner Gerhard Berger has questioned Scott Speed's 'commitment' to being a Grand Prix driver as confirmation of the second Toro Rosso race seat still lags.

Berger has stated that the 24-year-old is firm-favourite for the ride despite unspecified contractual issues that prevented his confirmation alongside Tonio Liuzzi at the recent launch of the new car.

Berger now tells Motorsport Aktuell magazine: "In the past weeks Tonio convinced us that he brings along the necessary commitment to complement his talent. The same is not yet true for Scott."

Speed is almost certain to ultimately land the job, with rumours suggesting that the hold-up is about Toro Rosso trying to get his signature on a longer contract than he would like.

Cliquez ici...

It has also been suggested that Berger, after observing that STR's 2006 line-up attended too many parties, is trying to give Speed the impression that his seat is a privilege reserved only for the truly focused.

Speed touched down in Bahrain this week for what would be his only pre-season test before Melbourne.

E.A.

Source GMM

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Mika]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BBB:

I don't. I'd prefer something like

teh pole

brown

silvestre

heinze

o'shea

richardson

fletcher

carrick

park

ole

saha

kthnx </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Pretty much exactly my team, wp Mart

[theis]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Young Jimlad:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by theis:

Can anyone do me a quick summary as I missed the entire match due to crappy public transport. Gathered the first 6 minutes were quite exciting though.

P.S. alilaw is quite possibly the biggest legend that has ever lived seeing as though he gave me amazing advice that helped me get a job today

Anyway ali >>>>>>>>>>> * </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Congrats. What job & what pearls of wisdom did Ali throw your way? (If its not top secret or anything ofc...) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Audit at KPMG. As Alilaw had gone through the process himself and knew a little bit about the workings of the graduate recruitment scheme he gave me a few pointers on what to do. Pretty invaluable advice as it appeared they hadn't changed their assessment day one bit from when he did it.

[Mika]

Yeah how dare you.

[ACou2000]

love it

Monkfish M.D

[Nick OGS20]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The building work has barely begun, but Radio City can exclusively reveal plans for Liverpool’s new stadium could be yanked from the drawing board.

The Reds’ new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have ordered a thorough review of the ground.

The reason? They’re considering adding an extra 20,000 seats.

A meeting was held last night and it’s thought they now want to build an all-seater to outstrip Old Trafford. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

stadium top trumps \O/

[ACou2000]

okay just seen the interview, what a f**king legend

so arrogant :*)

the questions were a complete and utter joke though. get f'kd English media.

[BBB]

It's all the scouse have left to mock considering they've not won it in a bazillion years.

BELIEVE

[alilaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H.O.V.I:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by alilaw:

I had a dream last night that we lost to Citeh and Chelsea </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't worry when we hammer chelsea 5-0 at home it won't matter </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Are Arsenal playing again now then?

I haven't really been paying attention since you were getting stuffed by Liverpool and turned over by West Ham and Everton.

[Colin14]

congratulations, i hear you are signing podolski in the summer.

[James07?]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The borrowers make United fans pay for success

Man Utd fans will be counting the cost of the Glazer takeover next season, with ticket prices increasing by 14% to service the club's debts.

David Conn May 16, 2007 2:45 AM

Manchester United's players ended their lap of honour with the Premiership trophy on Sunday at the stand formerly known as the Stretford End, where the fans waited to pledge a devotional "We love you United / We do". Only then, as the players disappeared down the tunnel, did the Glazer brothers finally leave the Old Trafford directors' box, smiling, although for Florida millionaires they looked a little pale.

After the furious fans' battle against their 2005 takeover the Glazers are now the great unspoken. In the strangely subdued atmosphere at that match against West Ham, nobody chanted for them or against them. The fans concentrated on the football, as they have all season, singing only of Rooney, Giggs and Ronaldo. Sir Alex Ferguson thanked "everybody, all these players, all my staff" in his headmasterly speech at the end but did not mention the directors or owners. "Come back next season for more," he smiled to the fans.

Despite the brilliance of his team, more fans will be hesitating about whether to accept Fergie's invitation, given that there will be up to 14% rises in season-ticket prices for 2007-08. On top of that, season-ticket holders will have to buy a ticket for every cup match, a possible extra £300.

All the talk in early spring, encouraged by the sports minister, Richard Caborn, that next season's bumper £2.7bn Premier League TV deal should enable clubs to reduce ticket prices, has wilted. There is no collective Premier League will for football to be more affordable; every club has apparently come to its own commercial decision. Those that struggled to fill their grounds this season, such as Blackburn, Manchester City and Bolton, have announced reductions whereas United believe they will keep attracting a phenomenal 76,000 to every game and so have decided to squeeze more money from their fans.

The Glazers may sensibly be keeping their personal profile low and letting the team do United's talking but these price rises are connected to their takeover and the need to pay off the massive £660m debt with which it has saddled United. The Glazers moved last summer to repay those original borrowings with other loans at less stinging interest and to attract the banks they promoted the current season's 14% price increase. In refinancing documents circulated in the City, which I have seen, the club promised that with the extra money from fans, along with increased TV income, boosted sponsorship deals with AIG and others and the drive to make more money from United's estimated 75m fans globally, the club would be able to repay the debts.

The documents show that the Glazers paid a total of £831m for United - £790m for the club and £41.3m in fees to banks and other professional firms. The family paid only £272m of their own money, borrowing the other £559m. Of the latter, £284m was arranged by the merchant bank JP Morgan and £275m came in much riskier "preferred securities" from three hedge funds, Citadel, Och-Ziff and Perry Capital, charging eye-wateringly high interest.

When the Glazers refinanced, after only a year, those hedge funds had accumulated a further £79.1m in interest and other payments, meaning the total owed to them had swollen to £354.1m. The family managed last summer to negotiate £525m in new loans at lower interest - still over 8%, about £42m a year. That replaced the money they originally borrowed to finance the takeover, except for £138m still owed to the hedge funds. The interest on that is running at 14.25% - £19.66m a year. That makes the total borrowed by the Glazers £663m, more than six times the loans which have proved the ruin of Leeds United. The annual interest alone adds up to £62m.

The warning by the supporter groups about this kind of "leveraged" takeover turned out to be true: the debt borrowed was then loaded on to United itself. The legendary football club, previously - famously - the only English club free of debt, now has to service £663m borrowings and annual interest of £62m. The season-ticket price increase now being charged to fans will go, partly, to service that, the cost of a takeover none of them wanted.

United's spokesman, Phil Townsend, accepted that the debt and interest formed part of United's costs but defended the season-ticket price increase and the cup charges. United's tickets, the lowest still effectively £25, or £10 to under-16s, compare favourably with other clubs', he said. "We know it's a chunky increase but all clubs need to compete and we still offer great entertainment at affordable prices."

The Glazers' refinancing documents, although promising to raise prices overall, did say that it was considered important to keep tickets affordable at the lower end to maintain the "quality of the Old Trafford experience". Presumably that recognises that the less wealthy fans create most of the atmosphere.

Townsend said of the debt repayments that they were "bearable" given United's record-breaking attendances - the highest in Europe - and other commercial earnings which United estimate will take their annual profits every year up to £108.9m by 2011. "We believe the business is sustainable and manageable. The priority is still the team."

The Glazers' plans showed that they wanted United to be clear to spend £25m on players every season, with a further one-off £25m available to splash out on a star. The summer will demonstrate the robustness of that budget and, with the inflation about to hit English football given the increased TV deals, how far it will go to strengthen Ferguson's squad.

Old Trafford may have gone quiet but the dissenters are still around in some numbers. Shareholders United, now renamed the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, has 9,000 paying members and 23,000 signed up to receive information. Those remain enormous figures for any football supporters' group. The Independent Manchester United Supporters Association is still campaigning - its representatives protested bitterly at the season-ticket announcement and warned that many fans would finally be priced out.

Nick Towle, chair of MUST, argues that despite United winning the title the takeover is still a burden hanging over Old Trafford. "The Glazers' business plan looked potentially shaky last season but brilliant performances on the pitch, increased TV and sponsorship deals do make it more likely the club will service these debts. But this is dead money, multimillions paid out in fees, interest and capital, which could be spent on players or used to reduce ticket prices. The Glazers have not brought investment but vast debt to the club."

Such are the ways of business now. Tom Hicks has said that the Glazers showed the other American billionaires the riches in English football. Since the Premier League began in 1992 there has been talk of bubbles bursting, but 75,927 people were at Old Trafford to see West Ham's 1-0 win and United's dance with the trophy, the images beamed around the world. Premiership football is booming, not declining, and the Glazers have captured the game's most romantic, richest name. They are confident the fans will be back, and that season-ticket money, and all the other earnings, will service the cost of the family's takeover.

Still, their financial plan relies on continuing top-three finishes, reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - and retaining the fans' loyalty. On all these fronts they will have to be careful.

The Family Business

£663m

Total debts taken on by Manchester United to pay for the Glazer family takeover

£70.4m

The total spent on banks' and professionals' fees to arrange the takeover and 2006 refinancing

£62m

United's interest payments a year

£25m

The club's seasonal budget for signing new players, plus a possible further £25m to splash out on a star

57,000

United's season ticket holders this season (2006-07)

14%

Maximum season ticket price rise next season

£300

Possible additional cost - if United progress to later stages of cups - of 2007-08 season tickets because buying cup tickets becomes compulsory </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/05/16/the_borrow...ake_united_fans.html

that's the one you need to bookmark for the next time someone like Franny makes the usual 'dunno what you're all moaning about' comments.

[Nick OGS20]

don't think anyone wins in that event tbf

[Weststandred]

I was looking through some old "junk" before and came across some really cool stuff. My Dad's ECWC final ticket, the programme and ticket from my first United game and some random photos of euro aways my Dad has done.

Oh, and my "Beckham - King of all Cockneys" flag.

[RedBlood]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rcjuk:

haha 3rd

SHAME ON YOU ALL.I should have wrapped this one up.

How many votes did I get? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>one from me

[SLO_Fila]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rcjuk:

It's NOT deserved

Stewards enquiry please. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree. Young player award rigged, user of the year blatantly fixed. Who knows what other awards have been meddled with.

I will go start the next season thread

[Saha]

haha theis repeating mark's joke 21 minutes after he posted it and being hugely smug about it, wp.

[Saha]

To dream that you are playing a sport, signifies the learning of rules, talents, and the achieving of your goals. It also highlights the importance of cooperation, harmony, and teamwork. Alternatively, it represents your attitudes about sex as an aggressive act.

To dream that you are watching a sports competition, represents two opposing viewpoints or conflicting opinions.

[mark g]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ryno:

Nick, have you quit your job already? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm guessing he'll have "quit" in the same way that relationship breakups are "mutual".

[RedBlood]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mark g:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nick OGS20:

Chelsea away right at the death AGAIN, strange

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You wonder if as well as the teams being able to put in fixture requests, SKY are allowed to as well. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>is it the same day as the cup semis will be again?