Manchester United WILL Lose Carlos Tevez In January

Well that is to say, Manchester United will lose Carlos Tevez in January if you believe everything Real Madrid say. According to them, Tevez is Spain bound because United have delayed for so long over his permanent signing.

Madrid failed miserably in their attempt to lure Cristiano Ronaldo during the summer and now seem to think they can get Carlos Tevez to join them. I guess with the injury to Ruud Van Nistelrooy they are desperate for a striker now. I'm baffled as to why they don't follow the traditional route in their transfer dealings. That is to say, call the manager of the player you are interested in and then see if you can strike a deal. Using Marca and other half baked newspapers to do your dirty work and alenating everyone seems pathetic to me.

They'd like to see a deal done in the January transfer window, but as United have him on a 2 season loan deal, he's just not available to them. Unless of course they show some good manners and call Fergie, eat some humble pie and realise they are just a club from Spain to us.

Tevez is understandably a bit upset he has started so many games on the bench and now Real have seized the opportunity and are confident of signing him. The part of this rumour was the fact they said it was "In a complicated arrangement with MSI, who own the economic rights of the player". What on earth that is supposed to mean is beyond me and just makes Real look foolish in their games., United have paid a total of £6 million to loan him for two seasons. They would then have to part with a further £26 million to buy him outright. Talks about sealing the permanent deal have been put off and then put off some more and I feel Tevez is resigned to a move. In my mind £26m is just too much, that kind of cash will buy Karim Benzema. Add to this the fact Fergie has been talking about the buy back clause for Giuseppe Rossi as well as bringing Fraizer Campbell back from Spurs along with the recent signing of Zoran Tosic, I think the writing is on the wall for Tevez here......Back To Home Page...

Fergie 'v' Wenger Round 196

Fergie and Arsene Wenger are at it again. The Manchester United manager has said Arsenal are a club in disarray after William Gallas had his out burst, followed by The Arse getting kicked 3-0 by Al-City. Naturally Wenger is having none of that from Fergie, though by now I would have thought he would be used to it.

Fergie, who is preparing his side to face City this weekend, believes title rivals Arsenal are not currently in good shape and that City caught them on a good day last week.

"Maybe City got Arsenal on the right day last Saturday because there seems to be a lot of disarray in the Arsenal camp with the carry-on with one of their players," said Ferguson. But you can only do what you are supposed to do and City did that very convincingly."

Wenger has angrily rejected Ferguson's claims as he looks to get his side back in the title hunt against Chelsea on Sunday.

"I don't feel we are in disarray, I feel that Manchester City are a good side and Manchester United will maybe see that on Sunday. We had a few bad results and with the pace set by Liverpool and Chelsea, that made us drop off, but the quality is there and what happened to us can happen to them. If this team beats Chelsea after having beaten Manchester United, I believe they will go from strength to strength. You just have to believe, and I know we can beat them."

Personally, I'd rather be Fergie right now than Wenger. I fear for Arsenal going into this game and it could really bury their season. A loss for Manchester United with Chelsea and Liverpool both winning will make it hard for us too, but when the going gets tough, the tough get going as they say.....Back To Home Page...

Come Fly With United

Some football fans may laugh, others cry, but there will surely be a glint of pride in the eyes of at least a few Manchester United fans, when they see 'their' latest plane. They actually entered service in 2006 but I think they're pretty impressive so I added them here for those who haven't seen them.

Low cost airline, AirAsia has honored Manchester United, one of the most popular football clubs in
the world, by having one of its aircraft painted in the colors of the club.

The 9MAFC, otherwise known as the Red Devil Airbus A320,arrived at the KL International Airport from Toulouse, France. The 180 seater Airbus A320 is emblazoned in signature red, and adorned with images of the club's elite players on both sides of the aircraft's fuselage. The tail and aircraft engines also feature the Manchester United Football Club's
Crest.

"Manchester United has one of the biggest following in Asia. As the official low fare airline for Manchester United, AirAsia hopes to create opportunities and exciting avenues to reach out and connect with Manchester United's loyal fan base in Asia. As such, it is only befitting that we dedicate the aircraft to all the Manchester United Fans in Asia." said Dato' Tony Fernandes, Group CEO, AirAsia Berhad.

"We are delighted to be the first football club in the world to own our very own aircraft livery. The AirAsia Red Devil Airbus is an epitome of how a dynamic sponsor like AirAsia, can creatively blend art and function into their everyday business. The plane will certainly ensure we're the most well traveled team in Asia" said Peter Draper, Marketing Director, Manchester United Football Club.

The Red Devil Airbus A320 is AirAsia's 3rd Airbus delivery within 2 months. The aircraft will commence servicing Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Surabaya, Indonesia.

Featured on the Red Devil Airbus A320 are:

Sir Alex Ferguson
Park Ji Sung
Wayne Rooney
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Cristiano Ronaldo
Alan Smith
Rio Ferdinand

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Zoran Tosic Granted A Work Permit To Play At Manchester United

As I previously reported, Zoran Tosic had signed for Manchester United but there was the outstanding matter of getting a work permit for him as he had only played in 43% of his countries internationals instead of the required 75%.

Today he has been cleared to join Manchester United from Partizan Belgrade after being granted a work permit by British authorities. The 21 year old will join up with national team-mate Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford in January after the permit was granted at a Home Office (interior ministry) hearing attended by United boss Alex Ferguson.

Manchester United have not made public the fee they have agreed but it is though to be in the region of £8m. Tosic will face a tough fight to break into United's first team with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani already established at the club. Ryan Giggs is also still an option for Ferguson in terms of wide men, although the veteran is more often deployed in midfield these days. United are also keeping tabs on another promising Partizan youngster, 19-year-old midfielder Adam Ljajic......
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Michel Platini Plans To Stop Debt And Child Trafficking

I've written before about Michel Platini and his rather bizarre ideas on how he intends to 'improve' the game. To me it sounds more like his 'plan to stop English clubs dominating Europe'. But we all have our own opinions I guess.

The UEFA president did have the grace to say he has no plans to interfere with the domestic league set ups which is amusing, as he has no powers to do so and it is not part of his jurisdiction, but thanks for that anyway Michel.

Platini is complaining about the financial set ups at clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, surprise, surprise. If Platini gets his way it would mean the 'Big Four', who regularly qualify for the Champions Leagues, having to satisfy UEFA rules on debts and even how much they spend on wages. The Premier League are fiercely opposing the proposals.

Platini said: "What UEFA can do - and we are thinking seriously about doing it - is to reinforce and improve our system for granting licences for our own club competitions. 'It is in this way that we wish to contribute to financial fair play, and start responding to the expectations of the various parties involved in our sport. Fiscal rules in Europe are extremely diverse...and the systems of licensing, control and financial management of football clubs involve myriad concepts and different regulations. UEFA is not going to charge itself with the task of harmonising European fiscal issues. UEFA is not going to impose its licensing system on national associations for their own competitions."

Platini has also shown a desire to ban the tansfer of players under the age of 18 within the EU. The Premier League also opposes the latter proposal. He's as good as calling these transfers 'Child Trafficking' which is absolutely ludicrous!

Platini said: "Today, in the world and in Europe, there is trafficking of children. I will not mince my words because the situation is serious. What else do you call a phenomenon whereby children aged 12 or 13 are torn away from their environment and culture to join a business in return for payment? This is what is happening in football. Together with FIFA, we are studying remedies, but measures can already be taken to ban the international transfer of minors, even within the European Union. In numerous European states, strict rules exist which prevent clubs - on threat of sporting sanctions - poaching young players - from their rivals' training centres. However, these rules do not exist at European Union level. It is in this context that we would like to be able to ban international transfers of players under the age of 18 within the EU. This is not to create an obstacle to the free movement of labour - it is an urgent matter relating to helping youngsters in danger."

So if a youngster aged 13 from my country, Romania, who has dreamed of being a footballer since he was 4 or 5 years old and has worked so hard practising and developing his skills is then told his career must go on hold for 5 years until he is 18, this will make it better for everyone involved I guess. No child is 'torn away from their family'. When handling these very young, potential future superstars, I am sure Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and every other team handles it in a very caring manner and offers assistance for families to be with the young boys if and when they become part of the Academy.

Some of these children grow up in extreme poverty, Dimitar Berbatov is a very good example of this. His one and only chance of wealth and a good life was to go down the footballing route and he made it, against all the odds he actually made it. Now Berbatov gives back a great deal to his country by means of helping orphanages and setting up football schools using his own cash.

Mr Platini, I suggest you go and ask Dimitar Berbatov if he felt he was trafficked and torn away from his family and you will hear the truth. Don't try and take away the one chance these kids have of fame and fortune, just to stop English clubs dominating Europe......again!.....Back To Home Page...

Manchester City And Their Annual One Match Sell Out

I woke up this morning at 4am having gone to bed too early and no one was around so boredom set in and I had a quick look at the Manchester City Official Club Site. The new City badge (left) is impressive, I love the logo underneath. This City site does make me laugh and cheers me up no end. How happy are they right now, it's their once annually 'sell out', the game with Manchester United has SOLD OUT!

They have dedicated a whole page to tell the world the 47,000 tickets are now all gone, unless you want to shell out an arm and a leg to sit in the 'Council House' or 'Wastelands' (as United fans affectionately know Eastlands by) Hospitality Area.

I quote:

The Club's Box Office has confirmed that Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United at the City of Manchester Stadium has now sold out.

The only chance for those without tickets to see the eagerly awaited fixture against our near neighbours is to take advantage of the few remaining hospitality places left -

The Box Office has advised everyone attending the derby on Sunday that on the day the Club DO NOT:

• Upgrade tickets
• Duplicate tickets for home or away supporters
• Reprint Season/City/L4C/Accesscards if lost, stolen or forgotten.
• Open Box Office South
• Open Box Office post match

Hurrah for Al-City, the massive club. This is the annual 'sell-out' the only time they ever run out of tickets so we should all be impressed with them. Of course it could happen again, I know this, I'm not too naive to acknowledge it..........they might draw United in the FA Cup you see.

I wont mention the fact that Manchester United sell 76,000 tickets week in week out every season as that would seem like I am boasting. Ooooops I said it.

The Hospitality suites are a treat to saviour at Wastelands, here we see one of the waitresses having a smoke break, they have them regularly so they can run down and feed their kids and change their nappies whenever they get a minute to spare. Most work cash-in-hand and any tips will be gratefully received. It is advisable to tip them as they have been known to wrestle customers to the floor in their pursuit of suitable tipping.

It is also advisable to try the traditional 'Wastelands menu, reflecting the meals these people have been eating for years. It's quite cheap, reasonably well presented and very, very nourishing. A particular favourite being the 'Rat Kebab' served on a bed of crispy Iceburg lettuce with a selection of dips and chutneys. Chips are optional.

Watch out for those rat teeth, they can chip your own teeth and cause havoc with your bowel movements.

Once you have washed your meal down with a nice tin of Carlsberg Special Brew you are taken out and dragged off to see the game. It's a bit nerve racking as you are dragged feet first to the edge of the roof but once you are strapped into place by your beautiful hostess it gets easier to watch the match from up there. The added bonus of course is the half time entertainment. From up on high you can piss on the City fans below which is fun, fun, fun. Roll on Derby Day, I can't wait......Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Loan Ron-Robert Zieler To Northampton

Manchester United have a young goalkeeper by the name of Ron-Robert Zieler in the reserves and he has been a regular in the academy side, playing 18 times in his first season after moving to United in 2005. He is now due to go out on loan to Northampton Town who have been left in the lurch somewhat with the return to Blackburn Rovers of their current loan keeper Frank Fielding.

He has continued his development through the under-18s and reserves, and this summer started every game in Germany's triumph at the UEFA Under-19 Championships. With Frank Fielding due to return to home club Blackburn Rovers on December 13, Cobblers boss Stuart Gray had to complete a signing before the loan transfer window closes at 5pm today.

"Under the terms of the loan ruling, Frank Fielding will have to go back to Blackburn after the Scunthorpe game, his 93 days will be up then and he will go back to his parent club. With that in mind, we would have been left with only one professional keeper in Chris Dunn and a youth scholar in Paul Walker between then and when the January transfer window opens, so we have taken Ron-Robert in before the loan window closed to help us out in that period. He is another young player with a fantastic pedigree and we are looking forward to him joining us." .....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Are The Kings Of Manchester

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has turned up the heat ahead of Sunday's match with Manchester City. Talking to the Manchester Evening News he threw a few taunts at Al-City just to let them know we mean business and to inform them that MANCHESTER UNITED ARE THE KINGS OF MANCHESTER!

“It will be nice to show them who are the Kings of Manchester, it doesn’t irritate us that City are getting all this publicity. If they were winning trophies it would irritate me but while they are still lingering in mid-table I am not really too bothered about it. We owe the fans a derby win even though we did win two trophies last season. Losing both games was extremely disappointing. Sunday is a massive game for the players, the fans and the club especially after what has happened at City with the takeover.”

City have been the headline makers this season due to Sheikh Mansour’s dramatic takeover in August. They immediately became the richest club in the world, breaking the British transfer record and stunning world football with the £32.5m signing of Robinho.

All this jibber-jabber from Al-City fans about how much money they have and how they will buy Ronaldo, Kaka, Messi and every other half decent player on the planet makes me laugh my butt right off. When Abramobitch turned up at Chelsea we heard it all.....5 years later they have 2 titles and an FA Cup, hardly world beating stuff is it?

Money is handy to have of course, it enables you to buy plenty of good players but you need more than that. You need history and passion, a manager with the ability to pull it all together for you and most of all you need players who understand the fans and understand the club and all that has gone before them which inspires a will to win within them.......and money can't buy you that, no matter how much of it you have !!! .....Back To Home Page...

Forget The Premier League And Champions League, Patrice Wants To Go Shopping

Manchester United fullback Patrice Evra has his own reasons for wanting to beat Manchester City in the Manchester derby this Sunday and it has nothing to do with the Premier League or the Champions League. Speaking to the Daily Mail he revealed the real reason he wants to win:

"I remember when we lost against City last year I was in a petrol station and a woman took the Mickey out of me, I was a little bit angry at the time but that was fine, it was just a joke. But I hope to win on Sunday so that when I go to the petrol station this time I can go in with a big smile! It is a big game for us. We lost six points to City last year and we need to change that. We drew against Villa last Saturday and now we need to get back to winning ways."

Bless him......Back To Home Page...

I'm Forever Blowing 30 Million Quid

The end of the saga involving Manchester United's Carlos Tevez saga could finally be in sight after Sheffield United won a High Court battle with West Ham. Mr. Justice Teare granted a temporary order preventing the Hammers appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over a ruling they had breached Premier League rules when they played the Argentinean. Sheffield United now have the green light to pursue their arbitration claim for damages over the Premier League relegation in 2007 and could be in line for a £30million pay out.

The full court battle over whether West Ham can appeal the arbitration tribunal's findings will be heard in the High Court next year, where the Yorkshire club will seek a permanent injunction. An independent panel ruled that Tevez was ineligible to play for West Ham during the 06/07 season - a campaign in which he was deemed to have played a crucial part in their survival.

Sheffield United were relegated at West Ham's expense and their claim for damages will be assessed at a future arbitration tribunal meeting in private.....Back To Home Page...

Ronaldo Kicked Off The Park, Wayne Dives And Manchester United Draw

Villarreal's coach Manuel Pellegrini took time out to deny any allegations that his team had targetted Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo for some rough treatment last night in the Champions League clash. Which I find highly amusing. Two players were booked for challenges on him and one received a straight red card when he slid in, studs showing and slammed into the side of Ronnie's knee. Camera close ups clearly showed the stud marks on his leg, but because it's Ronaldo that doesn't seem to matter and the crowd booed Ronaldo for getting fouled, amazing! Watch the highlights here and judge for yourself.

"It was not a rough game, and you have to challenge Ronaldo." Pelligrini said after the game.

Sir Alex was pleased with the way the referee Roberto Rosetti handled the match. He mentioned how he thought Ronaldo needs protecting from this kind of treatment and last night he got it, so well done to this ref. It's nice to see a referee getting some praise and actually having the conviction to punish things that he saw were wrong, leaving Sir Alex happy for once.

"The systematic fouling on him is what is happening in our game now. That is a tactic. Someone fouls him, then someone else has another foul. The referee thinks he is diving all the time, and the crowd are screaming. So that is the problem. The referee was very fair and strict with both teams. Capdevila may not have got that red card in England - so there is different interpretation of the physical aspect of the game in European matches."

Wayne Rooney apologised to Sir Alex and then apologised publicly in the newspapers for his 'dive', believing he had won a penalty. The striker's action incensed the crowd, but Rosetti did not book him. Ferguson said: "I think Wayne anticipated the challenge, because he was expecting a penalty kick. It is unusual for him to do that. I have seen it, and he has apologised to me. I think he has been watching Pires too much. At least Wayne apologised to the Villarreal players. You would never see Pires do that."

This match was the fourth consecutive game these two teams have played now. 360 minutes and not a goal between them. Let's all pray now they don't meet in the final. If they do, let's hope we get the same referee. It's such a pleasure to see someone with an attitude like him and the conviction to stand by what is right for once....More Cristiano Ronaldo Videos Here .......Back To Home Page...

Villareal 0 - 0 Manchester United Highlights

Sir Alex Keen To Become 'World Champions'

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has stated quite clearly he is keen for them to win the Club World Championship.

In a recent news conference he said: "We are delighted to be playing catch-up because it means we did things right during the previous season, to win the event in Tokyo would be great. We won it when it was a one-off game and now we have the opportunity to become the first British team to win it in its new tournament format. We will have to manage the second half of this season as best we can. We don't want to get to April and May and have to play rearranged games. Fulham and Wigan are our outstanding games and we will try to arrange them for January."

The FIFA Club World Cup, formerly known as the FIFA Club World Championship, is a competition contested between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations, although, since 2007, the champions of Oceania must play a qualifying play-off against the champion club of the host country.

The first competition took place in Brazil in January 2000. It was intended by FIFA to be a replacement for the Intercontinental Cup (also known as the Toyota Cup), which was contested annually in Tokyo, Japan by the champions of Europe via the Champions League and South America via theCopa Libertadores.

I guess it is a major trophy and it is worth winning but the timing of theis match and the journey involved to go and take part is not the best for United. Still, it is a piece of silverware so let's go and win it! .....Back To Home Page...

Xavi Not Happy - Manchester United And Chelsea Could Be

Xavi is not a happy player right now. His contract is up for renewal and Barcelona refuse to offer what he wants and this fact has alerted Manchester United and Chelsea.

I am at a loss as to why Barca would mess him around like this. Xavi is one of those very rare players these days who has shown complete loyalty to his team.

Xavi came up through Barcelona's youth system and has spent all of his footballing life with them. Showing exceptional talent for a player of his age, he quickly made his way through the youth and reserve teams and was a key member of Jordi Gonzalvo's FC Barcelona B team that won promotion to the Spanish Segunda Division.

At the age of 18 he was thrown in at the deep end and made his debut in the Super Cup Final and believe it or not, he scored too, what a start. He was that impressive he soon became a permanent fixture in Louis Van Gaals team that won La Liga.

Although his main role is as a central midfielder, he is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder and would be an ideal replacement for Paul Scholes who is showing signs of his age and is running out of time at Old Trafford. Xavi does have a buyout clause of £100m but that seems to mean nothing these days, if a player wants to leave then the price is more likely to be around £20m - £25m. I'd love to see him at ~United and think he would be a great asset. As I said, Scholes is on borrowed time now, Owen Sa(Ha)rgreaves seems to be crocked too often, and we need someone of Xavi's calibre.....Back To Home Page...

Pele Good, Maradona Great, George BEST!

Three years ago today
25th November 2005
George Best passed away
R.I.P George, we miss you xx

At the age of 15, Best was discovered in Belfast by Manchester
United scout Bob Bishop, whose telegram to United
manager Matt Busby read: "I think I've found you
a genius." His local club Glentoran had previously rejected
him for being "too small and light". Best was
subsequently given a trial and signed up by
chief scout Joe Armstrong.

Best made his Manchester United debut, aged 17,
on 14 September 1963 against West Bromwich Albion
at Old Traffordin a 1-0 victory. Two weeks later
Best scored his first goal against Burnley. By the
close of the season Best had six goals, and Manchester
United finished second, behind champions Liverpool.

In his second season, Best and Manchester
United claimed the league title.

Best hit the headlines the age of twenty when he
scored two goals in a European Cup quarter-final match
against Benfica in 1966, and was dubbed "O Quinto Beatle"
(The Fifth Beatle) in the press for his long hair,
good looks and extravagant celebrity lifestyle,
and even appeared on Top of the Pops in 1965.
Other nicknames included the "Belfast Boy" and
he was often referred to as Georgie, or Geordie in his
native Belfast.

The 1966-67 season was again successful as Manchester
United claimed the league title by four points. The
following season Best became a European Cup winner
after scoring in the final against Benfica. United
won 4-1 and Best was later crowned European
Footballer of the Year and Football Writers'
Association Player of the Year; after that
began a steady decline.

George Best Quotes

“I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted”

“I'd have to be superman to do some of the things I'm
supposed to have done, I've been at six different
places at six different times.”

“I'm OK. Much better than on other occasions. It's true
that I've made lots of mistakes but I've never tried
to bother anyone. I want to stay alive, preferably in
peace, without seeing every one of my mistakes in the
papers, and on many occasions, even stories that are lies.”

“That's what children do - throw food. That's not
fighting. We were real men. We'd have chinned them.”

“He can't kick with his left foot, he can't tackle, he can't
head the ball and he doesn't score many goals. Apart
from that, he's all right.” ~ On David Beckham

Rossi Could Come Back But Will He ?

Guiseppe Rossi was an outstanding prospect for Manchester United and we sold him for £6.6m to Villareal. Not because he was no use to us but purely and simply because the guy wanted first team football and Sir Alex Ferguson will NEVER guarantee that for any player.

Since he went to Villareal he has enjoyed a lengthy run in the first team and he has been scoring freely too. I would imagine he will be in action against United tomorrow as Villareal are the opponents in the Champions League. The winner of this game will become favourites to top the group.

How annoying and ironic if he were to score the winner against us.

Rossi is actually Italian-American and signed for Parma as a young boy, his father moved to Italy with him in order for him to follow his footballing dream. When he was seventeen years old Manchester United bought his contract and Rossi enjoyed a great run in both the youth team and the reserves.

At the beginning of the 2006-07 season he went North to Newcastle on a loan spell and scored once for them, but making an impression and impressing everyone at the club. For the second half of the same season he was loaned out again to his original team Parma where he scored nine times in nineteen games helping to save them from Serie B.

After this period he was being pursued by a host of European clubs and he was making demands on United for first team football so they eventually let him go for £6.6m with a buy back clause in his contract. Manchester United have first option to buy him back should he come up for sale. Fergie has talked of this option but whether or not he signs him again is doubtful. I feel it is just Sir Alex keeping his options open......Back To Home Page

England Tried To Poach Sir Alex Not Once, Not Twice But Three Times

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was approached on at least three occasions for the England manager's job, claims Former FA executive director David Davies.

The first approach to the our man boss came after Terry Venables' resignation in 1996. Ferguson is said to have been targeted again after the subsequent departures of Glenn Hoddle and Kevin Keegan but rejected all three attempts by the FA.

Speaking to The Herald, Davies said: "After Terry Venables, I wanted Fergie. I was absolutely clear he was the best person for the job. I was a personal friend of Sir Roland Smith, then chairman of Manchester United, and he didn't totally kick the idea into touch. I was vaguely encouraged.

Davies went on to admit he didn't expect Ferguson to take the post, adding: "I don't think he ever came near becoming the England manager. The idea of Alex leading England out at Hampden is somewhat far-fetched. He is a very, very proud Scot. He was, I think, tickled by the idea, though. When I recruited Keegan, I would have loved Ferguson to become manager. But the conversations were very brief."

If you ask me, the England managers job is tantamount to footballing suicide. The English media and the English fans have no loyalty unless you are winning. If you dare have a bad patch or get a bad result then don't expect any support or words of comfort, they will tear you apart and grind you down until the ob becomes impossible. The English have this strange mentality of expecting to lose, then they lose, then they get bitter because they lost.

Can anybody seriously imagine the England Prima Donnas being capable of listening to someone who does actually know more than them and is held in much, much higher regard than every single one of them ? I don't. They would all have spat the dummy out, hopped out the pram and gone home to sulk. Good decision Fergie.........Back To Home Page

How Can Tevez Possibly Stay Now ?

Carlos Tevez has clearly been relegated to 4th choice at Manchester United so is it really worth Manchester United spending £30 million on making his move permanent ? After starting just one of the last six Premier League games he is clearly fourth in the striking pecking order behind Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov.

The deal to turn his loan into a £30million permanent move was supposed to have been completed by now but so far all we have heard is excuses after excuse from Fergie about how the cash is available but the deal will be done in December, January, February etc etc. If they reached the summer and said "No thanks" it would not be a big surprise to any of us really.

While his penalty finally ended QPR’s resistance in the recent Carling Cup game, his all-round play hardly suggested he was grasping this opportunity with both hands. His finishing was awful, which is why United needed a late penalty to sink the Championship outfit and make it to the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

Right now Alex Ferguson has been linked with bids for Karim Benzema. He has also mentioned the possibility of recalling Frazier Campbell from Spurs in the January transfer window and we have Danny Welbeck impressing everyone too. Add to this the talk of the buy back clause for Guisseppe Rossi from Villareal and to me it seems Fergie isn't placing much emphasis on a United future for Tevez.

Alex Ferguson has spent big, big money to get his team back to the top - £29 million on Wayne Rooney, £32 for million Dimitar Berbatov, £19 million on Anderson, £29 million on Rio Ferdinand, the list goes on. With all these expensive signings some might argue what is one more? But with the credit crunch biting even Chelsea, Manchester United will need to make cutbacks. Can they really justify spending £30 million on a 4th choice striker ? That puts them in the leagues of Chelsea in terms of profligacy – so will the fans appreciate the success as much when it has clearly been bought ? .....
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Danny Welbeck Can Play For England, Ghana, Scotland............Any More Bids ?

Manchester United's Danny Welbeck has a dilemma on his hands right now. He must choose whether he plays for England, Ghana or Scotland! How this choice for him ever arose is beyond me and that is my point here.

Ghana showed an interest in him for obvious reasons. Aged just 17 he is extremely talented and has a great future ahead of him. Both his parents are from Ghana too.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has laughed off this dilemma though. He has been capped by England at Under-19 level, and could continue along the England path or choose to represent the country of his parents. Fergie has offered some sound advice - ignore both and play for Scotland instead. "His parents are from Ghana so it is not a surprise, it is the boy's choice, although I would be surprised if he didn't play for Scotland. That is my big challenge now."

I think this "pick a country" option is ridiculous myself. If I was a footballer, it would mean I could play for India, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Ukraine, Romania, Moldova or Ireland !! Why is that ?

Romany people stem from India and have travelled west for over 800 years and occupied all the countries I have mentioned. I could trace my family back to any one of these countries. I tagged Ireland on the end as my father is Irish, though I haven't seen him for years. This makes me half Romanian and half Irish technically. Though I feel 100% allegiance to Romania and always will do, no offence to the Irish.

Here's the way I see it. The location where you are born is irrelevant. If a dog is born in a barn it's not a horse is it ? So it should come down to your parents and nothing else. With Danny Welbeck, he has Ghanaian parents so he is Ghanaian. Obviously he has lived here all his life, he has a British passport and is entitled to it, but his roots are in Ghana, he should want to represent the people he is originated from.

There will be times when one parent may be from say, France and one from Italy, as an example. In this situation they must choose between the two. As things stand right now, you can choose your country and then come up with some bizarre back tracking and that's it you qualify.

Welbeck playing for Scotland mystifies me. Maybe he ate a plate of Haggis aged six, or could he have glimpsed a copy of the Daily Record through a window of WH Smith ? .....
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Who Actually Does Sponsor Manchester United ?

If you ask anyone "Who are the sponsors of Manchester United ?" they will tell you it's AIG and they will be right. Well, they will be 11% right. The reason for this is that during these days of multi million transfer fees and sky high salaries, sponsorship of a football team has become big business, huge business in fact.

Manchester United actually have a total of 11 sponsors and I'll tell you who they are.

AIG

American International Group, Inc: They are a major American insurance corporation based at the American International Building in New York City. The British headquarters are located on Fenchurch Street in London, continental Europe operations are based in La Defense, Paris. and its Asia HQ is in Hong Kong. According to the 2008 Forbes Global 2000 list, AIG was the 18th-largest public company in the world. It was on the Dow Jones Industrial Average from April 8, 2004 to September 22, 2008.

Nike

is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered in the Portland metropolitan area of Oregon, near Beaverton. It is the world's leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel. and and a major manufacturer of sports equipment with revenue in excess of $18.6 billion USD in its fiscal year 2008 (ending May 31, 2008). As of 2008, it employed more than 30,000 people worldwide. Nike and Precision Castparts are the only Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state of Oregon, according toThe Oregonian.

Kumho Tyres

formerly known as Samyang Tire, is a South Korean industrial conglomerate ("chaebol") headquartered in Gwangju, South Korea. Kumho means "bright lake" in Korean. It is a subsidiary of the Kumho Asiana Group, as is Asiana Airlines, Korea's second largest airline.

Budweiser

(Anheuser-Busch) is an American-style lager and is one of the most popular beers in the United States. Budweiser is made with a proportion of rice in addition to barley malt, for which it has received some criticism, though the company takes the position that the rice gives the beer a lighter taste. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the United States and the rest of the world. It is a filtered beer available in draught and packaged forms. It has 5.0% alcohol by volume and 145 calories per 12 oz., except in Utah, Kansas, Minnesota and Oklahoma where a 3.2% alcohol by weight (4.0% by volume) strength is available due to state laws. Minnesota and Colorado require 3.2% alcohol by weight beer only at select public events and beer being sold in grocery stores and gas stations.

The name derives from the Bohemian city Budweis (Budweiser meaning "from Budweis" in the German language), which was part of the German HRE until 1806, then Austrian Empire until 1918, then Czechoslovakia until 1993, then Czech Republic (since 1920 using Czech name České Budějovice). The long tradition of brewing beer in Budweis started in 1265. In 1795, the German citizens founded a brewery named Budweiser Bier Bürgerbräu. In 1895, Czech brewers followed, founding the brewery called Budějovický Budvar.

Bet Fred

is a United Kingdom based bookmaker, named after its characterful Northern England frontman and co-founder Fred Done. It was first established as a single shop in Ordsall, Salford, in 1967. Its turnover is over £1.5 billion, a nearly threefold rise since 2003's £550 million. The company has more than 700 UK betting shops It claims to be both the world's biggest privately owned betting company, and the UK's biggest privately owned retail outlets.

Saudi Telecom

I've detailed Saudi Telecom before, here.

Hublot

is a Swiss enterprise creating luxury watches and founded in 1980 by Carlo Crocco.

Hi Seoul

is an annual cultural festival held on every May 1 to May 9 in Seoul, South Korea since 2003. It is based on the "Seoul Citizens' Day" held on every October since 1994 to commemorate the 600 years history of Seoul as the capital of the country. The festival is arranged under theSeoul Metropolitan Government.

Viagogo

is an online ticket exchange aimed at the European and North American market. It aims to allow people to buy and sell live event tickets in a safe and guaranteed way, and to bring "efficiency and transparency to what has traditionally been a murky market place". It allows live event tickets to be bought and sold at any price, including above and below face value, and allows anyone to use the marketplace as long as they follow the rules. It charges buyers a 10% fee and sellers a 15% fee on each confirmed transaction......Back To Home Page.....

Giggs' Contract Due To Expire - Give Him Another Year I Say !

Ryan Giggs is fast approaching the end of his 'year-by-year' contract and I will be absolutely flabbergasted if he isn't offered a further year flying down the left wing, well, gliding down the left wing then taking a breather in central midfield. Joking aside, he has been great for Manchester United in the past 12 months and all this after I had all but written him off 2 years ago, sorry Ryan.

He overtook Sir Bobby Charlton's all time appearance record of 758 in the Champions League Final and will be 35 this Saturday. If he does get a further years contract it will bring his total service time at United to an unprecedented 20 years !! Incredible !!

Sir Bobby Charlton said: "From what I've seen this season, he's still got another year or two left in him, he's always been a fantastic player and he's terrifically fit.' .....Back To Home Page...

Aston Villa 0 - 0 Manchester United - Martin O'Neill's Verdict

I was a bit disappointed Manchester United didn't have this game sewn up by half time. The first 45 minutes saw them miss 3 good chances and end the half having had 57% of the posession. In the first 15 minutes of the second half Villa had a bright spell and Agbonlahor could have scored for them. Wayne Rooney, who just a month ago couldn't miss a goal if he tried has now gone 35 days without scoring. He missed an absolutely golden chance towards the end. Carrick played a high ball into the area and Rooney watched it come over his shoulder and then, rather than smashing it into the roof of the net on the volley as he normally would, he allowed the ball to bounce and then crashed his shot high into the crowd, the ball had snow on it when it finally came down.

Vidic had a lucky escape in my opinion when he fouled Agbonlahor. He grabbed the England mans shirt and was pulling him back for a good 15 metres before finally going down in the area. I think the ref bottled it to be honest because if he granted a free kick there was no question Vidic would have been off. So there it was, 0-0, which meant the top 5 teams in the Premier league failed to score a goal between them.

Martin O'Neill said of the match : "I thought it was important to battle very strongly and we did that well. We could have nicked it at the end but we also had moments to endure ourselves. Overall, it was a very hard-fought draw. We were spirited and resilient. The players are doing splendidly and putting a big effort into the games. The last two matches have pitted us against the very, very best. United won't be too far away at the end of the season. They have so much movement, such creativity and good players. It was a great effort against them and I am so pleased with my players. They put a big effort into the match and if we had been beaten it wouldn't have been through a lack of effort." On the subject of the tussle between Agbonlahor and Vidic on the hour mark, O'Neill added: "It was a penalty. You can see it back and consider if it was inside the box or outside the box. But it wasn't just that. The decision is a massive one because even if it is outside the box, it's a foul. And the player, having committed the foul and as the last man, has to be sent off. The referee chose not to give it. I thought it was too big for him. I thought the consequence of the decision was too big for him. It was a major moment. He had a hold of Gabby throughout the move. I can understand the referee being hesitant about giving the penalty but not about giving the foul. It was a goalscoring opportunity and the consequence should have been Vidic being sent off.".....Back To Home Page...

Sir Alex To Bring Campbell Back From Spurs

Harry Redknapp has made comments about how he would like to make a bid to but Fraizer Campbell on a permanent deal, and 2 days later Sir Alex Ferguson starts rumours of how he may well bring him back to Old Trafford in the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old striker moved on loan to Tottenham on deadline day as part of the deal which saw Dimitar Berbatov sign for the Premier League champions.And after scoring twice for Spurs in their 4-2 Carling Cup win over Liverpool and netting another for the England Under-21's, Ferguson admits he may move to bring Campbell back to the club.

"We could pull him back in January, we have to the option and it is a possibility. The boy has been fantastic at Spurs. He is a good player but we needed to get him first-team experience, so we agreed to it so the deal with Berbatov went through."

Sorry Harry, it's not going to happen, well.........unless you want to bid about £20m it seems......
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Pitch Invader At Celtic Park Gets Jailed For 6 Months

John Murphy aged 18 from Glenavon Road in Glasgow has been thrown in jail for 6 months after he did a one man pitch invasion during the Celtic 'v'Manchester United Champions League clash at Celtic Park on November 5th. Quite right too. What on earth happens inside these drunkards minds when they have a drink ? They seem to think they can take on the world or do as they please. I've known guys who are so nice when sober, then they have a drink and they say some disgusting things and I just completely disown them then. This guy is a complete and utter clown who has probably consumed four cans of lager and then thinks it is OK to do just as he pleases and run onto the pitch, bloody asshole should be locked up for longer if you ask me.

John Murphy was also banned from attending national or international football matches for five years, one of the longest such banning orders imposed in Scotland. Play had to actually be stopped because of him. He also admitted charges of breaching the peace and being drunk in a sports ground when he appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court earlier this month. Celtic were also fined £42,430 by UEFA for the invasion and for the late start to the game, which ended 1-1.

Sheriff Linda Ruxton who seemed a bit non-plussed by this behaviour said his actions were "dangerous and irresponsible". Also adding: "Not only did you create a situation in which there were fears for the safety of the players on the pitch, but you interrupted a high profile match and created a situation which might easily have provoked serious public disorder. Furthermore, you brought Scottish football generally and Celtic Football Club in particular into disrepute and your behaviour caused the club to be fined a substantial amount."

She was actually going to lock him away for nine months but reduced this as he pleaded guilty. Though what that has to do with it is beyond me as the TV cameras showed he was guilty anyway ! After sentencing she also added: "Such a sentence is particularly designed to have a deterrent effect on others who need to appreciate that such behaviour at football matches will not be tolerated by the courts." She did let him off with the charge of drunkeness which I found rather amusing, I doubt he does though.......
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Zoran Tosic Signs For Manchester United For £8m

Manchester United have agreed an £8 million deal for Partizan Belgrade winger Zoran Tosic. The deal will be completed in the January transfer window subject to Tosic being granted a work permit next week.

The 21-year-old left winger became a target for Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid after playing a big part for Serbia in last years U21 Euro Championships. Serbia made it to the final of this tournament. He made his debut for Serbia on March 23, 2007.

In order to qualify for a work permit a player must have appeared in 75% of their countries matches in the previous year but Tosic has only 6 from 14 or 43%. Chris Waddle has been appointed to the panel to hear this case by the Home Office.

As I said earlier Tosic is currently playing for Partizan Belgrade but he began his career with Proleter Zrenjanin before moving on to Banatski Dvor in 2005. Both of these teams actually combined forces to become FK Banat Zrenjanin. Tosic played 25 times for them in the Serbian Superliga scoring twice before making his move to Belgrade......
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