Manchester United Football Club

Mendes' goal was so classy! certainly measures up to beckham's midfield goal, without a doubt

Originally Posted by XZeRo3003

Mendes' goal was so classy! certainly measures up to beckham's midfield goal, without a doubt

Yes. His performance thoughout the match was excellent too. Certainly better than I've ever seen Rafael Marquez play.

Originally Posted by Stezagud

Which is one of the things that really annoyed me over the past few years. Teams would arrive at Old Trafford with a 9 man defence, praying that they might take a chance if they happened to create one, then they would play Arsenal and fall into their trap every time

It doesn't bother me so much. Teams have always defended deep against us.
But we have almost always been able to kill them off. We failed to do that yesterday because a large part of our squad is out through injury and unfair suspension.

We also lost Giggsy to injury yesterday (which is feared to be long-term) and Scholesy looked in the second half(due to the Christmas programme). So basically, we had lost creativity. Ronaldo and Fletch still leave a lot to be desired in that area.

Originally Posted by Rapierist

Yes. His performance thoughout the match was excellent too. Certainly better than I've ever seen Rafael Marquez play.

I see we're playing the same game now

Well I didn't see too much defensive work from Mendes, so it's kinda funny you'd compare him to a DM, a natural CB...

It doesn't bother me so much. Teams have always defended deep against us.
But we have almost always been able to kill them off. We failed to do that yesterday because a large part of our squad is out through injury and unfair suspension.

we seem to have changed slightly towards them though, the teams of the 90s would start at a high tempo and try and get an early goal, now we start as if were building up to something but so often fizzle out. We used to get 5 or 6 goals maybe half a dozen times a season

We also lost Giggsy to injury yesterday (which is feared to be long-term) and Scholesy looked in the second half(due to the Christmas
programme). So basically, we had lost creativity. Ronaldo and Fletch still leave a lot to be desired in that area.

Giggsy should be a fortnight according to Fergie, so he could be back flying by the Milan game Scholes definately needs a rest and this FA Cup game is the perfect time to do it.

Well I didn't see too much defensive work from Mendes, so it's kinda funny you'd compare him to a DM, a natural CB...

didnt see much defensive work? he was so scared of crossing the half way line he even took his shot from his own half

Originally Posted by Stezagud

we seem to have changed slightly towards them though, the teams of the 90s would start at a high tempo and try and get an early goal, now we start as if were building up to something but so often fizzle out. We used to get 5 or 6 goals maybe half a dozen times a season

The teams of the 90s had a crazy self-belief, the kind I have never seen in any other teams. They always believed that they would win, no matter what. I just don't see the same kind of belief now. Of course, Keano, Giggsy, Nevilles et al, believe that but no longer have the legs to make sure that the result reflects their belief.

Now if we don't score in the first half, it is a worrying situation for us.

Maybe we are moving in the right direction with our new arrivals, but whether they can be moulded into one of those teams remains to be seen.

Originally Posted by Stezagud

Giggsy should be a fortnight according to Fergie, so he could be back flying by the Milan game Scholes definately needs a rest and this FA Cup game is the perfect time to do it.

I also read that Ruud should definitely(i.e. Man Utd are confident) be back for the Champions League ties.

The teams of the 90s had a crazy self-belief, the kind I have never seen in any other teams. They always believed that they would win, no matter what. I just don't see the same kind of belief now. Of course, Keano, Giggsy, Nevilles et al, believe that but no longer have the legs to make sure that the result reflects their belief.

Now if we don't score in the first half, it is a worrying situation for us.

Maybe we are moving in the right direction with our new arrivals, but whether they can be moulded into one of those teams remains to be seen.

True, it frustrates the hell out of me to see us do these ponderous European style build ups against teams with 2 set defensive lines The old team would often start slowly but by about 15mins into the game were at full tempo and would keep at it until the end of the first half, by which time we were often 1 or 2 up. We have enough attacking players to do this still and hopefully Rooney and Ronaldo will learn there new roles.

Rooney certainly seems to enjoy the freedom he is given but as he has only been playing in the first team for a few months it seems he is still learning about his teammates. The constantly changing strikeforce isnt helping here but not much can be done to avoid these injuries....If we get everyone fit and consistantly in the side im sure he will really blossom for us.

Ronaldo is slightly more worrying as he has been with us for 18 months or so. He is still young and his potential is undeniable but he has to learn that football is a team game...

I also read that Ruud should definitely(i.e. Man Utd are confident) be back for the Champions League ties.

seems that way I think Fergie will continue bluffing and double bluffing about Ruuds fitness right up until the kick off

Originally Posted by Stezagud

We have enough attacking players to do this still and hopefully Rooney and Ronaldo will learn there new roles.

Hopefully.........
Ronaldo is heading on the Denilson path by the way, too many tricks. Since he hasn't developed his passing game yet, I think it would be better to stick Fletch or Rooney(now that he is back) on the right and bench Ronaldo. I mean, its not like he has been a serious threat; and for a long time now. We could use him in games against sides that are particularly in bad form.

Originally Posted by Stezagud

If we get everyone fit and consistantly in the side im sure he (Rooney) will really blossom for us.

Ronaldo is slightly more worrying as he has been with us for 18 months or so. He is still young and his potential is undeniable but he has to learn that football is a team game...

I think Rooney will. He has been getting into goal-scoring positions, even when he has been playing on the wing or deep behind the main striker, which is the primary job of a striker.

Ronaldo has been disappointing. Defenders double up on him nowadays, and he can't do anything about it because he dwells on the ball for too long. So either he is fouled or dispossessed. Things for him to sort out on the training ground.

Originally Posted by Stezagud

seems that way I think Fergie will continue bluffing and double bluffing about Ruuds fitness right up until the kick off

It won't be anything new to Carletto though. All Italian managers do that. Remember the pasta comment?



Btw, Rooney and Saha are available for the League Cup fixture against Chelsea

Ronaldo is heading on the Denilson path by the way, too many tricks. Since he hasn't developed his passing game yet, I think it would be better to stick Fletch or Rooney(now that he is back) on the right and bench Ronaldo

its well worth considering. Fletcher has been brought up the Utd way and he slots into the first team well. If he gets stronger (which he should as he is still young) then he could be a fantastic midfielder for Utd. Rooney hasnt been at Utd long but he has shown he is ready to work for the team, which when added to his talent makes him well worth his place.

Ronaldo has been disappointing. Defenders double up on him nowadays, and he can't do anything about it because he dwells on the ball for too long. So either he is fouled or dispossessed. Things for him to sort out on the training ground.

It does seem that way

I remember doing training as a kid and the manager would pause the game after every bad decision and ask the player at fault "why did you do that? " if they did the same with Ronaldo a 90 minute match would probably last a few days

Also, it was good to see one of our old boys destroy Barcelona last weekend Diego Forlan scored 2 in a 3 - 0 win, putting him 3rd beihnd Etoo and Ronaldo on the scorers list

I did like Forlan, he wasnt a Premiership player but he always tried hard for us, and those 2 goals against Liverpool were priceless

Originally Posted by Stezagud

if they did the same with Ronaldo a 90 minute match would probably last a few days

He has admitted though that he hasn't been playing very well of late and is trying on the training pitch to get his game right. I don't think too many continenetal players would have done that. So maybe his mental maturity at least is heading in the right direction.

Originally Posted by Stezagud

Diego Forlan scored 2 in a 3 - 0 win, putting him 3rd beihnd Etoo and Ronaldo on the scorers list

Third in the scorers' list??

That is nice to hear. Yes, I liked him too when he was at Old Trafford. He always tried and kept running, we never heard him moan.

In addition to those goals against the Scouse, there was the late goal against Chelsea too. Created by Veron and scored by Forlan. A real collector's item that.
And the time when he couldn't get his shirt on, but still made a good tackle and won the ball.
Yes, its good to see that things are going well for him. Can't say that about too many players after they left Old Trafford. Except for Karel Poborsky and this season, Jaap Stam.

He has admitted though that he hasn't been playing very well of late and is trying on the training pitch to get his game right. I don't think too many continenetal players would have done that. So maybe his mental maturity at least is heading in the right direction.

Sounds promising

I've heard that in training he is massively improved in terms of vision and team play. Its only when he plays in front of large crowds that he starts doing unneccesary tricks, i suppose he suffers from "performing seal syndrome" if that is the case then as times passes and he becomes used to the environment he should improve

In addition to those goals against the Scouse, there was the late goal against Chelsea too. Created by Veron and scored by Forlan. A real collector's item that.

yeah thats pretty much all we got for a combined £35m investment

Yes, its good to see that things are going well for him. Can't say that about too many players after they left Old Trafford. Except for Karel Poborsky and this season, Jaap Stam.

It was great to see Poborsky get his standing ovation at Old Trafford, despite getting sent off i hope Stam gets a good reception too, though the nature of the game wont be the same as the Sparta game..

Oooohhhh man, Liverpool is gonna kill you guys.

Well, good luck!

FORZA LIVERPOOL

Its Liverpool away!!

I can hardly wait.

You Wish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Forza M.u.f.c.