manchester united Category
Manchester United football club news, Manchester United transfers, Premier League
Manchester United: the incredible reason why Pedro joined Chelsea
Why did Spanish footballer Pedro join Chelsea and not Manchester United?
Chelsea gazumped United
The Times‘ says losing out on Pedro is a “blow” to United. Oliver Kay says Chelsea outbid United for the Barcelona player.
Manchester United’s desperation in the transfer market has grown after they were gazumped by Chelsea in a £21.1 million deal to sign Pedro from Barcelona.
The Fabregas Factor
The aforesaid Kay adds:
Chelsea’s pursuit of Pedro was helped by Cesc Fàbregas, who, along with his girlfriend, Daniella Semaan, helped to persuade his former Barcelona team-mate that he should move to London rather than Manchester.
Mourinho Nicked Him
The Daily Mail says Pedro ‘snubbed” United because Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho talked him into picking the Blues.
The Other Woman
Another woman played a key part in the proposed deal. Marina Granovskaia, a long-time and trusted employee of Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, was also instrumental in getting talks started.
Not Fancying Van Gaal
The Daily Express says Van Gaal has a problem with Spaniards.
Louis Van Gaal’s brutal treatment of former Barca keeper Victor Valdes may have had an influence on Pedro’s decision while the presence at Chelsea of former Nou Camp star Cesc Fabregas is also likely to have been a factor.
Pedro is understood to have spoken to both players to help make up his mind.
And Van Gaal briefed the media against David De Gea?
Operation Pedro
The Telegraph says Chelsea performed a planned “hijack”:
While [Ed] Woodward was haggling with Barcelona, Chelsea were putting ‘Operation Pedro’ into practice with Granovskaia conducting discreet negotiations with the Spanish club and, with the permission of Barca, Mourinho and Fabregas both speaking with the forward directly.
But The Local Paper Knows What Really Happened
The Manchester Evening News says that Pedro did not “snub” Man United. Pedro was not seduced to London by Mourinho or any number of women. He was not “hijacked”. No. The local Manchester paper says Pedro is not playing for Manchester United because club manager Louis Van Gaal rejected him. Yeah, really.
We are supposed to believe that Ed Woodward, the United executive vice-chairman, flew to Barcelona to buy Pedro, only to be recalled at the 11th hour because Van Gaal realised the 28-year-old three-time Champions’ league winner was not wanted.
Oh, and in any case, Van Gaal has his heart set on Sadio Mané, the Southampton forward, who United bid for before they went to see Pedro in Barcelona.
#mufc briefing the media bid for Sadio Mane was made last week #saintsfc sources say they are yet to receive a formal offer #brinkmanship
— Alex Goring Crook (@alex_crook) August 19, 2015
Such are the facts.
Posted: 20th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Manchester United Let Pedro Joined Chelsea And Other Fairytales
Pedro was shoo-in to join Manchester United, said all the British Press. But the Barcelona winger has joined Chelsea for a fee of £21m.
Did the mainstream media see this one coming? No.
On Augsut 13, the Indy stated:
Pedro to Manchester United: Barcelona winger verbally agrees to join United after late interest from rivals Manchester City
Sky Sports is so behind the news curve it reports today: “Pedro and Manchester United agree personal terms.”
Maybe Sky is right and Pedro did agree terms with Man United. Maybe Pedro told them ‘no’ and Manchester United agreed not to take it personally.
But the M.E.N. says we’re wrong because “Louis Van Gaal kills Pedro deal.”
@mattwynnmedia I think Chelsea Arsenal and Liverpool sent Van Gaal as A Trojan horse to destroys us from within check his bank statements
— Trevor W Fallon (@w_fallon) August 19, 2015
The Manchester paper reports:
United were happy to pay Pedro’s buy out clause and it appeared to be a simple transfer to complete. But LVG has decided he no longer sees the forward as the man United need.
So Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice chairman and deal maker, went to Barcalona, met the club and player’s reps, and was then recalled by Van Gaal because he went cold on the player? It has nothing at all to do with the theory that Pedro preferred working with Jose Mourinho, playing for Chelsea, living in London and avoiding the hammer-headed, vain Van Gaal. When Chelsea came calling he dropped United like, well, Van Gaal dropped Robin Van Persie. The offical line is that Van Gaal called all the shots and dumped Pedro.
Poor old Chelsea get the sloppy seconds (surely Champions’ League winning Spain winger – ed) while Man United buy… Well, any ‘top’ player with no alternatives keen to get rich.
Posted: 19th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment (1)
Chelsea Sign Pedro For £21m, Manchester United Gutted
After all the talk of Pedro to Manchester United, the Barcelona winger has joined Chelsea for a fee of £21m.
The BBC says the 28-year-old is flying to London to finalise terms on the transfer.
Or as Sky Sports says in its news today:
Pedro and Manchester United agree personal terms
And as the Star stated just yesterday:
They really don’t have the foggiest, do they.
Posted: 19th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United banter: German star Schweinsteiger recalls an English joke
One day when Bastian Schweinsteiger is on the after-dinner speaking circuit, he will surely hark back to his days at Manchester United. Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Schweinsteiger has given us all a hint of the kind of anecdotes we can expect from the German midfielder:
“The English have a special sense of humour. This I immediately experienced in the dressing room.
“As I walked with two plates while eating, suddenly a teammate asked me ‘Basti, what time is it?’ – Hoping I would automatically turn my hand to look at my watch.”
Funny? Or just special? But the actual funny part is Schweinsteiger’s review of the big English gag:
“That’s quite entertaining.”
He’s deadpan. He’s the German Jack Dee
Posted: 18th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Pedro Loses His Mind And ‘Agrees’ To Join Manchester United From Barcelona
Manchester United “hope” to sign Pedro from Barcelona this week, writes the Times. They are determined to get their man. Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, is in Barcelona, looking to sign the 28-year-old for a £22 million fee.
Mundo Deportivo says Woodward has met Albert Soler, Barça’s director of sporting institutional relations, and director Raul Sanllehí where they discussed Pedro.
Sky says the deal has been done. Sort of. Sky Sports’ Balague told Revista de La Liga.
“I understand a deal between the player and United is already in place and all that is left is for United to put the €30m on the table. They are just negotiating how they are going to pay it, with installments or an amount up-front. They are very close. I’m not sure whether Barcelona will try one last time with Pedro and say ‘don’t go’, but it seems his mind is already made up.”
The Daily Telegpah says Pedro to arrive on Tuesday. That’s the same DT that told us Arsenal signed Karim Benzema last week.
The Manchester Evening News says that Pedro is not the star player United fans dream of:
Louis van Gaal is believed to be somewhat hesitant about bringing in Pedro because of his pace, but the Dutchman is eager to increase the attacking options in his side.
And Marca reminds us that no deal is done until it’s done:
The striker wants a more prominent role at Barça. Luis Enrique wants him to stay at the Camp Nou, but competition for places is tough at the club.
Why would anyone leave Barcelona for Manchester United under Van Gaal? Does that medical include a test for mental competence?
Posted: 18th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Wayne Rooney can’t stop scoring
Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates his 1-0 win in the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on August 8, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
How’s life treating Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney? After United had completed these routine defeat of Aston Villa at Villa Park (in their last 40 league matches, Villa have won once, lost 29 and drawn 10), the papers shone a light on the nation’s main man.
All but one news source thought Rooney was poor:
Daily Mail: “Wayne Rooney is on his way to being burnt out and the Manchester United captain looks as ineffectual as he has ever been”
Daily Mail: “Manchester United need a new striker: With Wayne Rooney out of sorts, Louis van Gaal needs fresh firepower to boost title hopes”
The Guardian: “Loose passing, wasteful finishing and a particularly bad night for Wayne Rooney kept the hosts in the game”
ESPN: “There were hopes that Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney would rediscover some form against Aston Villa on Friday night… Remarkably, though, he was even worse than he was against Tottenham last week. His lack of mobility, touch and pace prevent him from leading the line successfully. When you compare him to strikers at rival clubs, like Sergio Aguero, the gap in quality between them is embarrassing.”
The Times: “They need more, of course — not least from Wayne Rooney, who looks short of fitness or confidence or both”
MEN: “Manchester United fan ratings: Rooney struggles”
BBC: “Striker Wayne Rooney was supposed to be the main man up front this season but the early signs have been a little worrying for United. As in the opening game against Tottenham the United and England skipper struggled to make an impact leading the line. And it was not until injury time that he touched the ball in the opposition penalty area”
And the one that disagreed:
The Sun: “SUN STAR MAN — Wayne Rooney, Manchester United”
Wonder which newspaper wants Rooney as its next columnist?
Posted: 17th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Nicolas Otamendi agrees Manchester United but joins Manchester City
Is Nicolas Otamendi going to play for Manchester United? Or is the Valencia defender off to play for Manchester City?
There’s been lots of talk about Nicolas Otamendi joining Manchester United. Stories like: “Manchester United AGREE deal to sign Valencia star Nicolas Otamendi”; “Deal done: Man United target Nicolas Otamendi agrees move, will be announced today” (both Daily Star); “Nicolas Otamendi to Manchester United: Club agree to sign £36m-rated centre-back” (Independent); and “Real Madrid believe Manchester United have sealed Nicolas Otamendi transfer” (Daily Mirror).
It turns out these stories are all utter balls because the Daily Mail says Manchester City are “close to completing the £28.5m signing of Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi, 27, with City defender Eliaquim Mangala, 24, likely to go to the Spanish club on loan.” Although, the Express says the fee is £35m.
Posted: 17th, August 2015 | In: Manchester City, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment (1)
Thomas Muller: ‘Ask Manchester United If They Will Pay More For Me’
Is Thomas Muller heading to Manchester United?
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: FC Bayern Muenchen head coach Louis van Gaal (L) and Thomas Muller celebrate victory at the end of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Inter Milan v FC Bayern Muenchen on February 23, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
The Sunday Express leads with news that Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller, 25, wants to join Manchester United. Readers learn that United have had a £60 million bid rejected this summer but Bayern manager manager Pep Guardiola is “prepared to cash in”.
The Telegraph says the bid was £50m.
The German champion’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is wary of Premier League cash, telling media:
“The Bundesliga has to be careful not to fall further behind. We would be out of our minds to sell Muller… It’s difficult. Everyone knows our old friend Louis van Gaal. He is very stubborn in those things. Maybe he thinks that there is a price where Bayern will start to ruminate but there is no price at all. As I said because of our partners and our really good financial situation we are completely resistant. There is no price, Thomas Muller has four years more on his contract. There is no one, not here or anywhere, who can explain to me why we should sell Thomas Muller.”
But he wants to join, right? The Express reports:
“Muller has confided in friends that he is interested in a move to United alongside Schweinsteiger who has been delighted with his Old Trafford welcome. Muller knows that his wages would enjoy a hefty rise.”
Is that the ploy: confide in’ friends’ who betray their pal’s trust by telling media that the star could earn a lot more at another club thus triggereing a pay rise? Are those nameless friends also employees of Muller’s agent?
The Metro reads the Express‘ “exclusive” and thunders: “Thomas Muller desperate to make Manchester United transfer.”
Helpfully, Thomas Muller was happy to talk about the rumours after scoring twice in Bayern’s 5-0 tonking of Hamburg. Asked if Van Gaal was after signing him, Muller replied:
“I don’t know, you have to ask him. I am the wrong man for this question.”
So. He’s not desperate to join Manchester United, then.
Posted: 16th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, Manchester City, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Manchester United Transfer Balls: Van Gaal tosses David De Gea to the wolves
Spanish goalkeeper David Ge Dea has, says the Sun, told Louis van Gaal he does not want to play for Manchester United. The hammer-headed Van Gaal is quoted:
“We’ve talked with him, he was fully agreed with our decision. We have a goalkeeping coach, Frans Hoek. He had a meeting with David De Gea and he asks him ‘Do you want to play?’.
“No. So then I have to take the decision. It is a process.
“We had been observing him in preparation, he was not so good, he was not the same David de Gea as before. He was my best player last season. According to the fans, he was the best of the last two years.”
Why would Van Gaal share that informaion with the media? Is he trying to shame De Gea into staying at Old Trafford?
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 14th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Adama Traore signs for Aston Villa, completes for Liverpool and agrees Manchester United move
Transfer Balls: It’s been a busy summer for Barcelona’s Adama Traore. Those experts in the mainstream Press have been tracking his movements:
July 26, The Metro: “‘Manchester United paying release clause to seal Adama Traore transfer”
July 28, The Metro: “Why Arsenal need to beat Bayern Munich to the transfer of Barcelona’s Adama Traore”
July 30, The Metro: “Liverpool officials fly to Barcelona to complete Adama Traore transfer”
August 1, The Metro: “Southampton plot to hijack Liverpool’s transfer move for Barcelona winger Adama Traore”
August 2, The Metro: “‘Everton set to hijack Liverpool’s transfer move for Adama Traore”
August 3, The Metro: “Adama Traore travelling to Liverpool for medical ahead of transfer”
August 3, Daily Star: “Barcelona’s Manchester United target set for Liverpool medical”
August 5, The Metro: “‘Adama Traore has dinner with Stoke officials ahead of possible transfer”
August 7, Daily Mail: “Adama Traore is being linked with Stoke and Liverpool… Adama’s release clause in his Barcelona contract has dropped to £4.2m”
August 8, The Metro: “‘Adama Traore convinced he is making Liverpool transfer”
August 11, Daily Mail: “Adama Traore close to £12m Aston Villa switch from Barcelona”
August 11, Daily Telegraph: “Liverpool transfer rumours and news: Barcelona star Adama Traore emerges as top target”
August 11, Daily Telegraph: “Adam Traore is flying in for talks with Aston Villa on Wednesday as he prepares to complete a £7 million move.”
Busy lad.
Posted: 12th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Benzema and Cavani in two-pronged assault on Arsenal fans
Transfer Balls realises that in footballing terms The Metro is now working as the Daily Telegraph’s feeder club. Following the DT’s news that Arsenal had signed Karim Benzema from Real Madrid last Friday – and were paying him less than Theo Walcott earns – the paper tells is readers that Benzema is not coming.
Arsene Wenger will surprise Arsenal fans by moving for PSG striker Edinson Cavani – and not Karim Benzema, according to reports.
The DT shamelessly adds:
While many expect Wenger to make an official bid for the Real Madrid forward, the Arsenal manager is said to be lining up an offer to sign the south American star instead.
Many expected Benzema to join Arsenal? Or as the Telegraph put it:
Readers now learn:
…now Arsenal are ready to free Cavani from his PSG days by making their move, according to the Metro.
Er, no. What the Metro says is:
Lee Hurley writes:
If you were to believe the press reports over the past 24 hours Arsenal are ready to bid for Edinson Cavani (again) and Karim Benzema has/is flying in for a medical with the club.
You means Press reports like this one:
And this one:
Hurley adds:
The Cavani reports seem to stem from Spain, an unlikely point of origin for a player who is currently in France but being linked with England, while the Benzema reports seem to come from Twitter – a hotbed of nonsense at the best of times (although a goldmine for information if you have your bullsh*t filter tuned correctly).
The Telegraph prefers a bullshit pipeline from The Metro.
Posted: 11th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: De Gea is dropped for Spurs as weak Van Gaal cries that it’s all so unfair
How is Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal taking care of the team’s best player, goalkeeper David De Gea? De Gea, 24, wants to play for Real Madrid. Says Van Gaal:
“We’ve observed him in training and matches and he’s not the David De Gea of last year. De Gea tries and does his utmost best, but it’s a difficult situation. Now we have to play our first match and I want players who can focus only on the match and he is not capable to do that.”
De Gea is dropped, then, for Man United’s opening game of the season, a home banker against Spurs (they never win at Old Trafford).
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 8th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Di Maria does the maths
Manchester United lost £15m on Angel Di Maria, who after a single season at Old Trafford joined PSG for £44m this week.
The Telegraph says he “apologises to Manchester United for his dismal form”.
He’s lent his name to an open letter:
“I write this note to thank all the Manchester United family for the great support received during the year I’ve been part of this Club. I’m aware things didn’t work as we all expected and believe me, I feel really sorry about it.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 7th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Football Balls: Daily Telegraph stirs Manchester United and Manchester City row in Ogden-Silva twitter schism
The Daily Telegraph is 160 years old. To mark the newspaper’s birthday on June 29, it thundered: “Telegraph at 160: Serious, popular and pioneering.” And now full of utter balls.
Take the erudite and routinely insightful Mark Ogden’s story on Manchester United and Manchester City. Ogden had scored an interview with City’s Spanish star David Silva. The Telegraph’s headline told readers:
“David Silva: United’s glory days are now over – they are in City’s shadow now”
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 6th, August 2015 | In: Manchester City, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Manchester United beat Liverpool to defensive winger Nicolas Gaitan
Transfer Balls: the increasingly dire Daily Telegraph (with cover price) is copying The Metro (free). Says The DT:
“Manchester United have reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with Benfica over centre-back Nicolas Gaitan, according to The Metro”
The phrase “according to The Metro” might be one of the most meaningless in journalism. All you can deduce from it is that Gaitan has not signed for Manchester United. He’s also not signed for Liverpool, where the Liverpool Echo bills him as a “playmaker“.
But who is Gaitan? The DT knows:
The Argentine will cost around £21.1m and would provide Louis van Gaal with badly needed reinforcements in defence.
He’s a defender? Maybe. Hold on a moment while the DT’s ‘expert’ types ‘Gaitan’ into a search engine and ammends the copy to read:
Manchester United have reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with Benfica over attacking midfielder Nicolas Gaitan, according to The Metro… The Argentine will cost around £21.1m and would provide Louis van Gaal with another option up front.
Over in The Metro the news is also changed:
The Argentinian winger is also believed to be on the radar of La Liga outfit Valencia, but United will have first refusal on the 27-year-old, according to reports in Portugal.
Sky adds:
In Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 formation, this would see him deployed at left wing-back, a position Ashley Young made his own last season. Luke Shaw will also be hoping to stake a claim for this role come August.
Such are the facts when a new player arrives on the transfer balls cycle.
Posted: 6th, August 2015 | In: Liverpool, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Phwoar phwoar two: Manchester United’s new kit is too sexist for football
The Daily Mail is aghast. The paper is upset that Manchester United’s new kit features a plunging neckling that could reveal a woman’s decollage. The headline shouts:
Manchester United kit maker Adidas defends ‘sexist’ plunging neckline of women’s shirt
Michael Gadd writes:
Manchester United’s new kit manufacturer Adidas has defended claims that the plunging neckline on the women’s version of the home shirt is sexist and inappropriate for football.
How inappropriate? This inapppropriate!
Good job the Mail’s there to make things right.
Posted: 5th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Gareth Bale trapped in Manchester United news spin
Transfer Balls spots this SEO-driven nonsense from the Daily Express, “the world’s greatest newspaper”.
Agent clears up Gareth Bale’s future with Man Utd ready to pounce
Charles Perrin fleshes out a headline more suggestive than a puppy sat next to a pile to poo:
Manchester United have been sniffing around the mercurial Welshman and reports emerged suggesting the Red Devils have lodged two £100million bids.
Reports like:
Man United News: Two £100m Bale bids, midfielder exit, winger medical delayed
That one was brought to you by the…Daily Express:
And there was the news – also in the Daily Express (May 21) – that Bale is desperate to leave Real (which he isn’t):
…the Wales winger…is expected to return to the Premier League this summer.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 5th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Manchester United ‘sell’ Di Maria for £44m as De Gea’s price tumbles
Transfer Balls: David De Gea has had a quiet summer. The Manchester United player still plays for Manchester United. But the media narrative invites us to wonder how long for.
The Sun says :
LOUIS VAN GAAL does not know where David De Gea’s head is — or Angel Di Maria’s body.
The big kick-off is just over a week away and the Manchester United boss has been left with a goalkeeper clearly distracted and out of form.
De Gea wants to leave Manchester United. In the final year of his contract he can wait a year and head to Real Madrid on a free with the bonus of a massive signing on fee. United would get nothing for their star player.
Or he could do as Angel Di Maria has done and simply not turn up to play. Wanted by PSG, the Sun says “Van Gaal simply does not know where he is”.
British-record signing Di Maria was supposed to join up with the squad last Saturday but failed to get on his flight. Asked where the Argie midfielder was following the defeat to PSG, Van Gaal replied: “Maybe you know.”
When the questioner said he did not, LVG added: “I don’t know that either.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 31st, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Barcelona’s Pedro joins Manchester United from Inter Milan for £4m less than Arsenal paid for him
Transfer Balls: Pedro is leaving Barcelona for Manchester United. Maybe. The media seem undecided. These news reports on the great Pedro are all from the mainstream media:
Apr 16, Daily Express: “Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd frustrated as Pedro AGREES Inter Milan switch.”
He did? No. He didn’t.
May 10, Metro: “Arsenal ‘ready to sign £26m Pedro”
Why £26m when the release clause in his contract says anyone can have him for £22m?
July 12, Daily Express: “Pedro wants to join Chelsea ahead of Man United, Arsenal and Liverpool”
Jul 15, Daily Express: “Chelsea Transfer News: Pedro deal imminent”
Imminent is defined by the Daily Express Bumper Books of Words as: ‘never’.
July 22, Evening Standard: “Manchester United set to confirm Pedro signing within 48 hours”
July 23, Daily Express: “Barcelona president confirms Pedro will not be joining Man United, Chelsea or Arsenal”
Just 24 hours to go, then, until Pedro signs.
July 24, Daily Star: “Pedro desperate for Chelsea, Liverpool or Man Utd switch”
24 hour passes. Pedro remains at Barcelona.
July 29, Daily Express: “Manchester United rocked as Bayern Munich launch bid for Barcelona’s Pedro”
Have United actually made a bid for Pedro?
July 29, Daily Mail: “Manchester United to wait on Angel di Maria before bidding for Pedro”
No. They have not.
July 29, Daily Express: “PEDRO is set to wear a Manchester United shirt this season”
July 29, The Herald: “Man United deal for Pedro could be done by weekend”
July 29, The Telegraph: Pedro has told those close to him that he will be moving to Old Trafford.
July 29, The Metro: “Pedro ‘agrees personal terms with Manchester United”
Pedro rem,ins a Barcelona player.
Posted: 29th, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Rojo’s criminal stupidity costs him dear
It’s easily done. Marcos Rojo, the charming Manchester United defender, was barred from boarding a flight from Buenos Aires to San Jose, California, because he forgot to renew his passport and obtain the right visa.
On the day of departure, Rojo’s mental checklist departed from the traditional: ‘Tickets, oven, passport …’ to something akin to: ‘Gel, mirror, gel…’
The Times says the error will cost Rojo a fine of two weeks wages. How much is that? It’s £140,000! For the price of another big tattoo, Rojo could employ a passport wallah to spend a few moments each morning shouting out how many days are left until the passport expires, or counting down the hours before the milk in his fridge turns. Redirect the cash from a saucer-sized watch and he’s got a speaking clock no more than 10 steps behind him at any time.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 28th, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United sign average Romero as brilliant De Gea moves to Real Madrid
The saga of David De Gea’s protracted move from a rather desperate Manchester United (£230 spent on new players since Van Gaal arrived a season ago) to Real Madrid has led to the arrival of Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero at Old Trafford.
Only a few days ago, The Daily Express thundered:
You are staying! Louis van Gaal tells David De Gea to forget Real Madrid move this summer
Rubbish, of course. With just one year left on his United deal, Van Gaal knows De Gea is leaving.
As the BBC writes:
Manchester United have signed Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero as a result of the uncertainty over David De Gea.
What do we know of Romero? Well, he won the 2008-09 Eredivisie title under Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar.
Says Van Gaal:
“We have to prepare our season with the threat that David De Gea is going to Real Madrid. You need always competition. When I see that a player is better than the player in the line-up, he shall play the next match.”
Will he fit in quickly to life at United?
“Of course, he has to learn English because that is also a problem always with a foreigner. He is very good with his feet, so he fits in our profile. I have a lot of confidence that he can fulfil what we are expecting.”
Says Romero:
“I am absolutely delighted to join Manchester United. To play for the biggest club in the world is a dream come true for me. Louis van Gaal is a fantastic manager and I cannot wait to get started on this new and exciting challenge in my career.”
Romero joined as free agent from Sampdoria.
Posted: 27th, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Van Gaal criticises Ashley Young and dreams of a superstar like Chelsea’ Eden Hazard
Louis van Gaal has spent £230 million in 12 months trying to turn Manchester United into a winning team. But what he really wants is a superstar, like Cristiano Ronaldo:
“He may come, but it is not possible. Why not? Because you have the club [Real Madrid], you have Ronaldo and then you have Manchester United and how much Manchester United want to spend.”
For £230m surely Van Gaal could have brought Ronaldo to United and at least one other superstar. As it is, he bought fourth place in the Premier League and a reputation for playing a long-ball game.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 27th, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Watch Ronaldo edge closer to Manchester United in a fantasy row with ‘hombre’ Benitez
Transfer Balls: Is Cristiano Ronaldo heading back to Manchester United?
In “Utd Ron alert Rafa row opens door”, the Sun says Real Madrid’s new manager and and Crisitiano Ronaldo have “clashed“. The pair have a “deteriorating relationship”.
Evidence of a row seems based on a very small incident – well, ok, two very small incidents. With Real Madrid in Melbourne “Ronaldo had a pop at new Madrid boss Benitez during training on Wednesday after having a goal disallowed” for offside”.
Ronaldo, 30, said “vai caralho”. The Sun runs it through Google translate and says it means “‘c**k’ but loosely translated can mean the F-word”.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 24th, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Manchester United ‘abandoning’ their history says Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger
Did Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger say Manchester United are trying to buy glory? The Times reports:
Arsène Wenger has accused Manchester United of abandoning the club’s tradition of youth development in pursuit of short-term success…
He did?
Wenger contrasted United’s new approach to Arsenal’s philosophy, which he claims remains geared to producing players, albeit many of them recruited from all over the world as teenagers.
Wenger said that? It’s seems out of character. Frenchman is hardly the most gung-ho individual. Take what he says about the coming season and Arsenal chances of winning the Premier League title:
“All going well, I feel we have a chance. But I cannot guarantee we will win the title. We now have the stability that gives us strength but it’s very difficult to guess how strong the other teams will be.
“There have been times in the past when I knew we could not win it. When you just squeeze into the top four and see others strengthening while you are losing players, it is difficult to be convinced you can still win the league.”
Back, then, to the Times and is story on Wenger attacking Man United for “abandoning” it’s roots:
“With United’s success they have created huge financial resources and today there is no patience for them to continue to do what they did — and they have the financial resources to go with a different policy. As well, they do not have available the players like Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham inside the club, because youth talent is spread more through 20 clubs than it was 20 years ago.”
So. He didn’t say United were buying success. Wenger said the market has changed because United grew rich through glory brought about by sound planning and Alex Ferguson’s management skills. They can now spend huge amounts of money.
As for the homemade players coming through:
Of players who came through the Old Trafford academy, Evans made the most Premier League starts last season with 12, the same number as Paddy McNair, followed by Adnan Januzaj with seven and Tyler Blackett, right, with six.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 23rd, July 2015 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Man United’s ‘surprise’ non-striking striker target revealed
When Manchester United’s Louis Van Gaal played the media by telling everyone he was signing a striker not yet linked to the club, we began to guess.
Rumours are that it’s Fernando Llorente. According to the Mirror, the Spanish hitman is on his way to Old Trafford.
The signings of Pablo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic by Juventus this summer means that the 30-year-old Llorente will struggle for game time with the Old Lady. While, with his 6’5″ frame, the former Athletic Bilbao star would provide United with a proper physical presence in attack.
Manchester United’s ‘surprise’ signing is not a striker, says Louis van Gaal
After his team defeated San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at the Avaya Stadium, Van Gaal said: “I don’t know if I want to buy a striker. I have read in the media that a striker is the surprise. No, that I have not said. You are saying that, because my answer is like that. No, I mean something else.”
Posted: 22nd, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
