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

[Young Jimlad]

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

Mart, don't forget, if he makes it and meets you at the wall, don't ask him a question or you won't get in the ground 'til the second half. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ooooooh Mark made a funny!

For what its worth I'm in no way as verbose in "real life" and especially around new people I'm not going to be overly chatty.

Not looking likely for me to be honest unfortunately, only two people are available to take my shift and neither are likely to take on the extra hours on a **** day of the week to be in but I'll try all the same. Neither were in tonight either so that kinda put a spanner in the works as well.

[mark g]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

The morning after the night before, and Manchester United were still coming to terms yesterday with an evening when Sir Alex Ferguson was the one Glaswegian at Parkhead whose blood had not been converted to red wine. Ferguson talked about his players "throwing away" the tie and his face hardened when a radio reporter asked him whether he was angry with his players. "I'm not angry with anyone," he replied with his most withering stare. "Maybe with you for asking such stupid questions."

Ferguson, suffice to say, did not enjoy coming off second-best to Gordon Strachan, particularly when he considered the potential repercussions of losing to Celtic. The visit of Benfica on December 6 should not inspire too much trepidation given that United have not lost a Champions League group game at Old Trafford since October 2001 but, after winning their opening three Group F matches, Ferguson is entitled to be aggrieved that qualification has gone down to the wire.

Part of that anger might be directed towards himself, bearing in mind his mistake in resting half his first-choice team when United played FC Copenhagen earlier this month, another match they lost 1-0. The events in Glasgow might have been largely irrelevant for United had Ferguson fielded a full-strength team in Denmark and they had taken the point that was needed to qualify.

Otherwise his main irritation seemed to derive from his players' inability to be more penetrative in attack. In that respect Louis Saha found himself grazing in the scapegoats' paddock yesterday. The Frenchman was apologetic, but the damage to his confidence will not be repaired by the revelations that Gary Neville had correctly guessed he would fail with his 89th-minute penalty. Neville appeared to question Saha's nerve, telling the Celtic captain, Neil Lennon, "His head has gone," an astonishing remark for a player of his status to make and one that will do little to ease his team-mate's anguish going into Sunday's game with Chelsea.

The striker needed consoling by his team-mates and spoke about "living in a nightmare", describing it as one of the most harrowing experiences of his career. "I cannot believe what has happened. I just want to wake up from it. It was a difficult night for everyone but I have to admit I am really sorry for my performance. I need to survive from that. I've said sorry to everyone but a thousand sorrys won't change anything."

In mitigation, it was the first occasion this season when Saha has failed to live up to the demands of replacing Ruud van Nistelrooy. Ferguson has placed a lot of confidence in the France international and will be dismayed by Neville's remarks, which have not been denied. Saha had failed to score when clean through five minutes earlier, wrongly believing he might have been offside, and Neville seemed to cast doubt on whether the striker had the strength of character to cope.

A throwaway remark it may have been but it carries significance considering the battles ahead, starting this weekend. Saha has had a tremendous season but, rightly or wrongly, the comments attributed to Neville will raise questions about whether he is capable of flourishing when the pressure is at its most extreme. There are similarities to the situation recalled by Roy Keane of a player shaking with nerves as the Champions League music blared out before the second leg of the 2002 semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen.

It is unfair, however, for too much blame to be apportioned to one player. United have now lost three successive cup matches 1-0 and, though the damage may be superficial, it is intriguing when compared with their imperious league form.

"We have only ourselves to blame," Ryan Giggs reflected. "Celtic hardly got our of their own half in the first half but when you are on top you have to take your opportunities and we did not do that. Now we have to play Benfica again and it won't be easy."

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Saha]

Not enough articles these days compare Celtic fans to Jesus within the first sentence.

[Scatter]

"I'm not angry with anyone," he replied with his most withering stare. "Maybe with you for asking such stupid questions."

fergie

[Terry Cheung]

Fergie has been really gracious in defeat of late. Okay, against Southend in the Carling Cup it's easy to be, but he never said Celtic were lucky or didn't deserve it, which wouldn't be the case with Jose. He just criticised his own team for not taking the chances.

[gonch19]

btw, who was it that keane was referring to that was shaking with nerves before leverkusen?

[snipersdream]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by gonch19:

btw, who was it that keane was referring to that was shaking with nerves before leverkusen? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was led to believe it was Giggs.

[RedBlood]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by gonch19:

btw, who was it that keane was referring to that was shaking with nerves before leverkusen? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Beckham maybe he gets the nerves badly (throwing up before big england games ect)

[gonch19]

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

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by gonch19:

btw, who was it that keane was referring to that was shaking with nerves before leverkusen? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was led to believe it was Giggs. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

pretty sure it wasn't giggs, i heard it was van nistelrooy or rio?

[snipersdream]

Didn't buy Rio till the following summer. And I'm pretty sure Keane mentions that the guy had loads of previous Euro experience, which would hardly include Ruud.

Bit of a 'Will Young has a Premiership boyfriend' situation all round anyway.

[James07?]

I always thought it was RvN

[snipersdream]

And today in the Mirror...

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">TORRES UP FOR £25M

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson has made a new move for Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres - but has been told the price is a stunning £25million.

Now the Old Trafford money men are deciding whether to meet the valuation in January.

Fergie has resumed a quest to sign the Spain star, 22, as he realises they need more firepower to win the title.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No ****, Alex...

[Mika]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by James07?:

I always thought it was RvN </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You would

[Terry Cheung]

I also thought it was Ruud

[gonch19]

yeh i think there were strong rumours it was ruud.

torres for £25million? that's easy, we could either use the £25million that was available to us in the summer or perhaps use the mikel money along with the unspent £25million from last january

[James07?]

Gonch, Mark found a load of MG Travel seat covers in a cupboard that he'd last used for the CL Final. Fat lot of good they did. He's binned 'em now

[Saha]

Christ, that's an insane price. We could get another five, maybe six defenders in for that.

[gonch19]

haha quality

did you go with him to celtic? good crack? (apart from the result obviously)

[James07?]

flew from Brum. Used him for hotel and transport to and from the ground. Didn't spend long enough to really enjoy the trip.

[Saha]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by gonch19:

good crack? (apart from the result obviously) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

um

[gonch19]

actually i shouldnt really ask the question 'good crack?' when talking about glasgow. arf arf badum-tish etc

[Saha]

i assumed you'd horribly misspelt craic. hate to think what you're on about if that's not the case.

[mark g]

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

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by gonch19:

btw, who was it that keane was referring to that was shaking with nerves before leverkusen? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Beckham maybe he gets the nerves badly (throwing up before big england games ect) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

During as well if you remember the world cup

[No Longer Bling]

id just like to point out that i was in no possible way serious about defoe as it seems to have led to some sort of discussion. id have bellion back before him.

[gonch19]

i wouldnt mind bellion back now tbh. better than bringing on two defenders when desperately searching for a late goal. well, marginally better.

[Keyser]

Defoe Bent Bellion x 1,000,000

I'd sooner have 2 defender bought on

[BBB]

Bent is a good player and I'd take a bet with you Rich that he'd be fb at United. but we're getting Torres YAY

[James07?]

aye, bent is the kind of player that might develop into something a bit special.

[gonch19]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Giggs -

'It is Benfica again. We know what we have to do and we will be ready for that. Maybe it makes it easier that they have to win. A draw will do us. They will have to come out and attack us. But we are at home and we know what we have to do. Hopefully we can do it.' </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

it begins

[BBB]

Lets take an example of a signing surely some of us thought

WTF is he doing in a United shirt?

Dwight Yorke.

oh and wp Giggs, I look forward to playing for a draw, them scoring and then sticking 10 men behind the ball \o/

[Keyser]

I meant Marcus

[Saha]

WHAT DID I TELL YOU

Reasons why we'll be overconfident and stuff it up:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>

<LI>At home

<LI>We 'know what it takes' this time around

<LI>We're 'better than last year'

<LI>We only need a draw

[BBB]

I'm dreading the Benfica game and excited, TENSE ifb

[No Longer Bling]

ill be there :*)

exceptionally confident of getting the win, bound to go wrong

[gonch19]

that mentality is exactly the same we took into the copenhagen game, and the celtic game, and it will inevitably be the reason why we will go out of the competition once again. oh the agony.

[BBB]

you don't count, can't believe you won't stop by the wall.

however, I know you're like 9 foot so I'll just scream BLING! at every tall person that walks past

[No Longer Bling]

haha if i figure out where the wall is i may walk past and throw you a sly :*), obv without the real life people noticing

[T!mbo]

Rio might wave back.

[BBB]

on the corner of the development office, hahaha what does a rl :*) look like then?

[snipersdream]

I thought :*) was shedding a tear of happiness or something?

[No Longer Bling]

correct, i shall cry a tear of happiness in your direction

[BBB]

excellent, I look forward to it.

God I can't wait for Sunday

[gonch19]

the more i read those giggs comments the more my stomach turns

[snipersdream]

I look forward to his "We were unlucky, these things happen, we've got to get better as a team" follow-up article one week from now.

[mark g]

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

I look forward to his "We were unlucky, these things happen, we've got to get better as a team" follow-up article one week from now. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

"We'll have a crack at the almost unique achievment of completing the full set of european trophies"

[Nick OGS20]

Giggsy blatantly does all these interviews with his hands on his hips, glaring at the interviewer

[Mika]

Giggs is right tbf.

I'm reasonably confident that we'll make it.

[James07?]

I don't see anything wrong with what he's said?

[Nick OGS20]

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

Giggs is right tbf.

I'm reasonably confident that we'll make it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

blatant alias

[Mika]

If we can beat them with a back four of Bardsley, Ferdinand, O'Shea and Richardson like we did last year, then I think we should be hopeful.