Manchester United FC
 

Well i've seen a couple of Man Utd fans here so i thought why not open a thread about Man Utd.

News, Transfers, Discussions, Titles, bits of History, Info, etc...about Manchester are all welcomed in this thread

The Red Devils' Thread :dev2:

Well lemme post the first news, it's a good article i read today after seeing its link on ManUtd.com:


Manchester United ponder next move after losing Premier League crown
Sir Alex Ferguson will take a moment to reflect but efforts to improve the team for next season have already begun


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For some of the players, it was the first day they had been at Old Trafford when Manchester United could go by the prefix "former champions". The mood was one of subdued reflection. Nobody had their head in their hands, or red-ringed eyes; it was just much quieter than usual. Sir Alex Ferguson's final address was supportive but sometimes there is not much even the great managers can say. He did not speak for long.
"I have been here four years now and this is my first full season that I haven't won the league," Patrice Evra reflected. "I can say congratulations to my team-mates because it has not been easy for us this year. But if I don't finish first with Manchester United I always feel like I haven't done my job very well. When you play for this club you always need to win. It's a very sad day."
When a team are deposed as champions there is always a period of brooding, quite often followed by a snap judgment that changes are mandatory to prevent a disappointing season turning into a full-blown stagnation. Ferguson, however, puts forward an alternative argument that United actually did pretty well to take Chelsea to the final day given that there was a point in the season when Evra was their only fit defender and Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick were playing in the centre of defence.
"I have to separate fact from fiction, like the suggestion we have not seen the vintage football associated with Manchester United," United's manager said. "It's not complacency, just common sense, to conclude that we have had a good season."
Yet Ferguson would also make the rare acknowledgment that this was a time of self-analysis for him as well. "My job as manager is to assess in the cold light of day and get things into perspective. Naturally I look into my own management and the rest of the staff. Did I always make the right team selections with the appropriate tactics? Do we have a strong enough squad?"
The inclination is to wonder whether, deep down, a small part of Ferguson regrets not doing more to keep Carlos Tevez, the scorer of 29 goals for Manchester City and a striker with that unusual quality of being able to make things happen. Ferguson, though, will not accept it was a mistake. On the contrary, there are stories at Old Trafford of him deriding Tevez to colleagues, making the analogy of receiving a gift-wrapped Christmas present only to take off all the nice paper and discover there is nothing inside the box.
His tone changes when the subject turns to a player who left Old Trafford last summer on much better terms. "I always knew we would miss Cristiano Ronaldo," Ferguson said. But not so much that he thinks the £80m transfer to Real Madrid effectively cost United the league. "We've scored more goals than last season and have the best defensive record in the league. I think that's the best way to answer."
But uppermost in Ferguson's thoughts must be the issue of Dimitar Berbatov, after two seasons in which the Bulgarian has occasionally flickered but never truly ignited in the way that might have been anticipated of a player who cost £30.75m. At the weekend Ferguson insisted his most expensive signing would not be replaced – "he is a very talented player and has a future at Manchester United," he said – but not too much should be read into that. United's manager said very similar things about David Beckham, Juan Sebastián Verón and Ronaldo himself.
Berbatov's body language when he was substituted during the 4-0 defeat of Stoke City on Sunday told it own story: tired, exasperated, maybe a little embarrassed, head down on a slow walk to the touchline, no wave to the crowd. It has been unfair for him to be made the scapegoat but, when the story of United's season is told, the inquest will focus on that period when Wayne Rooney was injured and the responsibility was on Berbatov to live up to his transfer fee. In short, he blew it.
Ferguson preferred to focus on the positives. "Darren Fletcher has emerged from the shadows to become recognised as a really top footballer. Nani has come of age, Darron Gibson has had a good season and Jonny Evans has been fantastic for a 22-year-old, while Antonio Valencia has done incredibly well in his first season."
The club have also signed Chris Smalling from Fulham for £10m and, for almost the same again, Javier Hernández, the Mexico striker, from Chivas de Guadalajara.
The Glazers, and Ferguson, maintain there is more money available, which is just as well because United have regressed, five points worse off then last season, with seven defeats along the way, the most since the 2003-04 campaign. "We lost too many games," Evra said. "Losing seven times was too much and that was the key. Congratulations to Chelsea – if you win the league it is because you deserve to. But I feel like Manchester United gave them that league."


Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/may/11/manchester-united-premier-league-title

Bayern didn't win because of Man United lack of playing, they won because they are the luckiest team ever

besides Berbatov was brought because I remember Tevez wasn't happy with Man United so he came to replace him.... yeah Berbatov might have a few flaws and may have lost a couple of chances but he is a great player, but IMO he needs to be pushed by someone; he used to count on Rooney, and that was proven when Rooney was injured. Berbatov counts on Rooney to give him the chance to score, without Rooney, Berbatov can't play. I think he is a good player bass bado yshed hemto shway

Tevez left on his own terms, 3ele2 ma3 el Club w he left. I DO however agree that Tevez is/was a great fit in Man Utd.

Berbatov is a what i call Support Attacker, meaning he is a "ra2es 7arbeh" eza badkon, bass....he can't play as the single Attacker, he is amazing at being a support Attacker, notice that in Stoke's match (the last match of the season) talla3o his passes, his positioning, his mentality, it isn't about running and scoring as it is about giving passes and seeing Rooney for the goal.

That's why till now SAF(Sir Alex Ferguson)'s still determined that Berba is staying and that he wants him to stay. IMO a HUGE change is coming to Manchester, w i said it b4 bas i'll say it again, as long as it is SAF that's making that change, i'm pretty excited cz i'm pretty sure it's gonna go for the best.

New Kit:

Either

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Or

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Still not official

I am still hoping for the black and blue kit :p

ma the thing is ya Tarek, enno last time when they changed from Vodafone to AIG, they stuck with the away kit as their 3rd kit metel manna, nothing changed fiya except esem el sponsor. So if u ask me, bi ra2yeh enno AKID ma ra7 ya3emlo el Green and Gold shirt, cz it just doesn't make any sense ya3emlo el Glazer family a shirt against them (seeing how these colors are used to make a statement against the Galzers' Family) ba2a noway ya3emlo one to support the protest lol :p plus it'll be so damn ironic if the Glazers make money out of a protest against them :hawhaw:
W seeing how b4 tarako el away kit as it is with a change of sponsor 3al shirt mech aktar, i reckon the Black/Blue one will stay, bas as their 3rd kit..

Saw this on ManUtd.com thought i'd share it with you :)


United's 2009-2010 Season:

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First match of the season. United fans as usual supporting the Red Devils


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Welcome to Manchester Sir Alex poses with summer signings Gabriel Obertan, Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia.


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Off to a flyer. Nani nets United's first goal of the season with a cracker against Chelsea in the Community Shield.


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Wayne Rooney bags the first of his 26 league goals as the Reds resume league action with a win against Birmingham.


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Shock of the season Newly-promoted Burnley upset the Reds at Turf Moor. How costly will the defeat prove.


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Anderson isn't the only one at White Hart Lane who's surprised. In his 78th appearance he finally nets for the Reds.


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Michael Owen turns instant United legend when he scores in injury time to seal victory in September's Manchester derby.


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It's meant to be one pic per match, but we couldn't leave out this image of Sir Alex celebrating the derby victory.


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On an eventful night at Oakwell, Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen score the goals to send United through to the Carling Cup fifth round.


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European drama involving United You bet. Valencia cracks in an injury-time equaliser against CSKA Moscow after United trailed 3-1.


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Edwin van der Sar leads the protests at Stamford Bridge after John Terry scores a controversial winner.


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Besiktas end United's 23-game unbeaten European run with a surprise win at Old Trafford.


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'I'll take that.' Wazza grabs the matchball after hitting three at Fratton Park in United's 4-1 win.


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Scholes scores at West Ham but injuries to defenders mean Giggs, Fletcher and Carrick end the game at the back.


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A dark day - the Reds crash out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle. To make matters worse, it's at the hands of bitter rivals Leeds United.


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Four-midable. Rooney bags 'em all as United romp to a 4-0 home win.


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Derby delight - United's 90th-minute winner breaks City hearts at the end of a pulsating two-legged Carling Cup semi-final.


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Nani stars as United dazzle at the Emirates. The 3-1 win is arguably the season's finest performance in the league.


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United and Milan emerge from the OT tunnel. The Reds went on to win 4-0 on the night (and 7-2 on aggregate).


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David Beckham returns, but the bigger story is United's dominance on the pitch as the Reds humble AC Milan 7-2 on aggregate.


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Ji-sung Park celebrates in front of the Stretford End after heading home the winner against Liverpool.


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Double blow - Rooney suffers an ankle injury during United's 2-1 loss at Bayern Munich. He'll be missed...


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Offside, surely. But the goal stands and Chelsea strike a hammer blow to United's title hopes with a 2-1 win at OT.


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Sir Alex cuts a frustrated figure as United are held to a 0-0 draw at Ewood Park. Later, he admits the title race is 'slipping away'.


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This can only mean one thing - Paul Scholes has scored an injury-time winner in the Manchester derby to keep alive United's title dream.


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Welcome back! Owen Hargreaves makes his first appearance since 2008 as a late substitute at Sunderland.


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The Reds sign off in style with a 4-0 win against Stoke, but it isn't enough to clinch a fourth successive title. 'We'll be back,' Sir Alex promises.


:dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2:

Wayne Rooney: Manchester United need to sign two 'big name players' this summer

One of them needs to be a striker, say Red Devils top marksman...

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By Alan McGuinness
12 May 2010 21:40:00

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney thinks that the club needs to make two signings in the summer - one of them a striker.

A season that initially promised so much ended in disappointing fashion for the Red Devils. They went out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich, and failed to catch Chelsea in the Premier League.


Source: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/...-name-players-

Manchester United Legend Denis Law Feels Sorry For Dimitar Berbatov

One striker can sympathise with another's plight...

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By Zack Wilson
May 13, 2010 2:07:00 PM

Manchester United icon Denis Law has revealed that he feels a certain sympathy for Dimitar Berbatov after another season in which the Bulgarian failed to win the affections of the Old Trafford faithful.

Berbatov joined United from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 for £30.75 million but has struggled to live up to that price tag in the eyes of supporters.

He has netted just 26 goals in the two seasons he has spent at Old Trafford and Law admits he feels for the player.

"I don't want to knock him. He hasn't come up to the standard he set at Spurs, but when he was there he looked an extremely good player," the Scot told The Manchester Evening News.

"He's always had that laid-back style, even when he was at Tottenham, and that's what the fans admired him for but now he gets criticised for it."

Law added that he hoped that Berbatov would not turn out to be as big a failure at Old Trafford as Juan Sebatsien Veron, a player who joined United for £28m from Lazio in 1999 and spent just two underwhelming years at United.

"He looked an excellent player with Argentina and in Italy, but when he came to United he didn't do it," Law added.

"He was a commanding player, yet when he came to United he wasn't."

Despite having a widely criticised season, Berbatov is only eighth in the list of strikers in the Premier League, according to the Castrol Rankings. The Bulgarian comes in at No.65.


Source: http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/englan...medium=twitter


Chaklo be2eh ): what do u think? cz SAF has said enno Berbatov's going nowhere ma3 enno he has announced several times that a Top-Quality Striker is needed, ba2a barkeh he'll keep him on the bench or something...anyways i think they're right, Berbatov has always had a laid-back personality that'll fool you for thinking he's not giving his all, but i believe he just isn't fortunate at United, fi matare7 some players shine w fi matare7 they just don't. Hope something good will happen to this dude cz although i'd LOVE to see someone else ma7allo, bas he's a good player w bi chaffen2neh bi sara7a :p

Over-reliance on Wayne Rooney will force Sir Alex Ferguson to reinforce Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to be concerned that Manchester United’s failure to win the Premier League or Champions League this season proves they have been too reliant on Wayne Rooney.

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By Rory Smith
Published: 11:00PM BST 14 May 2010
The striker enjoyed arguably his finest individual campaign to date, scoring a career-best 34 goals in an underwhelming season for United, in which they finished second to Chelsea in the title race and lost to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Ferguson is thought to be convinced United’s failure to land either trophy was linked to the injury Rooney sustained in the first-leg defeat to Bayern which affected his involvement in the climax to the club’s season.

The Scot has already warned Chelsea his side will be back aiming to reclaim their title next season and he is likely to seek substantial reinforcements, particularly in attacking areas, to a team who struggle to brush opposition aside when Rooney, United’s talisman, is absent or off-form.

Dimitar Berbatov has vowed to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford even if Ferguson, as expected, adds another attacker to the £7 million capture of the Mexican striker Javier Hernandez, while Rooney himself has suggested that further striking options would lend a greater balance to United’s squad.

Certainly, it has not escaped the England international’s attention that United have struggled to fill the goalscoring gaps left by the departures of Carlos Tévez and Cristiano Ronaldo last season, despite his own form, and one comment made in his speech to the Football Writers’ Association Awards dinner on Thursday intimated he, too, is aware how important he is to his club side.

Asked to explain the dramatic increase in the number of headers he has scored this campaign, Rooney said: “The manager said before the season started that he wanted me to score more headers. I said to him that last season it was me crossing the ball. I asked him if he wanted me to get on the end of my own crosses.

“But I knew I had to step up. He said he wanted me in the box more, that I drifted wide too much. I had to try to control my energy, so that when the chances came I had the control and the energy to take them.”

Rooney was, though, keen to stress the improved supply line offered to him by Nani and Luis Antonio Valencia. “The service has been a little bit better,” he said. “Ronaldo scored all those goals but when you are a centre-forward and he is cutting back two or three times it is hard to know when the ball will come in. By the time he does put the ball in, you have stopped making runs.”


Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...er-United.html

Man Utd give Real Madrid short shrift over Evra bid

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Manchester United have given Real Madrid short shrift over their interest in fullback Patrice Evra.

Real are desperate to find a quality left-back for next season and have Evra high on their shopping list.

But the Sunday Express says Real have been told the French international is not for sale.


Source

Fergie admits City fears

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Manchester City could mount a serious title challenge next season.

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Last Updated: Sun, 16 May 2010 18:41
City missed out on a top four finish at the end of the campaign but the United boss expects the Eastlands side to spend big in the summer and push for the top prixe next year.

Punters may wish to use their free bet to back City to take the top spot in the Premier League with boss Roberto Mancini expected to oversee a massive overhaul in the summer, with plenty of players expected to leave to make way for new additions.

Ferguson is certainly expecting a tight contest in the fight for the Premier League 2010/2011 title and believes City will be among the contenders.

"They will be a lot stronger this time," said the United boss. "With the experience of last year behind them they'll be better equipped to go for the title because they will spend big money again.

"Winning the title is going to be more difficult for anybody. This time it's been ourselves and Chelsea and Arsenal for a period, but I think we can all hear the horses' hooves galloping closer."

City have already been linked with a host of big names, including Liverpool's Fernando Torres, since the Premier League season ended but most of the transfer business this summer is expected to take place after the World Cup.


Source

well I am getting my hopes up in the Man United transfer, Sir Alex is a smart man, he knows how to correct his mistakes

Papers: No major moves

19/05/2010 08:58
http://picsrv.manutd.com/?fif=/manu/...94595&cvt=jpegFergie could be one-hit wonder
Sir Alex Ferguson may add just one new player to his Manchester United squad this summer. Fergie was expected to splash out in a bid to snatch back the Premier and Champions League crowns. He has already signed rising Mexican star Javier Hernandez from Guadalajara and defender Chris Smalling from Fulham. And United chief executive David Gill has indicated further funds are available. But speaking alongside Gill at a New York conference last night to promote United's four-match July tour of North America, Ferguson revealed he is happy with the balance of his squad. He said: "In today's market it's very difficult and the structure of our squad is good in terms of ages, balance and numbers. There are a lot of good young players. Sometimes you have to trust in all the development of the last few years and I'm going to stick with that - or most of it. There may be one signing and maybe we'd like to get a good player to the club, of course. But it's not easy in the present-day climate."
Matt Parker, The Sun

The Daily Express speculate on a potential departure from Old Trafford with the paper reporting that Barcelona are preparing an £80m bid for Wayne Rooney.

Meanwhile, The Sun claims Owen Hargreaves wants showdown talks with Sir Alex after being axed from both the United and England squads. The paper says Hargreaves, who did not make Fabio Capello's World Cup squad, stormed away from Old Trafford 50 minutes before kick-off for United's last game of the season against Stoke after discovering he was not in the squad.

All the papers feature quotes from Sir Alex who has confirmed the club have accepted a bid for Ben Foster from Birmingham despite the boss still believing him to be 'England's best goalkeeper.'


SOURCE

Manchester United want to bring in one more player for next season but are not planning major changes to their squad despite losing the Premier League title, according to boss Alex Ferguson.
http://d.yimg.com/i//ng/sp/eurosport...edf52588b7.jpg More Stories

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"There may be one signing," he said while promoting their North American summer tour.
"We'd maybe like to get one good player to the club, but it's not easy in the present day climate. We're still assessing."
United's quest for an unprecedented fourth straight title was blocked by Chelsea, who finished one point ahead.
"It was always difficult to go for four trophies in a row, but we felt we could have done it," said Ferguson. "The challenge is to bring that trophy back. That's an important trophy because the competition is so fierce in England."
Ferguson added that he liked the make-up of his squad.
"Sometimes you have to have trust and faith in what we've developed in the last few years and I'm going to stick with that, or most of it," he said.
"The structure of our squad is good -- the ages, the balance of the squad, the numbers. They are all good young players."
He also pointed out that United had already signed 21-year-old World Cup-bound Mexico striker Javier Hernandez from Guadalajara and defender Chris Smalling, 20, from Fulham.
Regarding their North American tour, Ferguson said setting up a training camp this summer in Chicago followed by three games against Major League Soccer teams and a final match versus the MLS All Stars would be good preparation for next season.
"We've got to get our show on the road," he said. "That means concentration and a rhythm of the game has got to be found quickly after the disappointment of last season.
"We want to start the season very quickly, start on the front foot."
MANCHESTER UNITED - POSSIBLE SIGNING
Igor Akinfeev (Goalkeeper, CSKA Moscow) - estimated transfer fee £25m
The 24-year-old is an outstanding young goalkeeper and has been earmarked as the ideal successor to Edwin van der Sar, who turns 40 in October.
Gareth Bale (Defender/Midfielder, Tottenham) - £20m
The Welshman's sparkling performances on the left wing for Tottenham have made him one of the Premier League's hottest properties.
Jack Rodwell (Defender/Midfielder, Everton) - £20m
Equally adept at centre-back or in midfield, the teenager is seen as an England star in the making. United face competition for his signature from Chelsea.
Wesley Sneijder (Midfielder, Internazionale) - £40m
One of the outstanding players in this year's Champions League, Sneijder's vision, technique and passing make him the perfect heir to Paul Scholes.
Franck Ribery (Winger, Bayern Munich) - £50m
Ferguson is a long-time admirer of the Frenchman, but Real Madrid also want him and Bayern's asking price is extremely steep.
Karim Benzema (Striker, Real Madrid) - £20m
Has failed to make his mark at Real, with question marks over his attitude, but Benzema has pace, strength and deadly finishing off both feet.
Reuters

Franck Ribery > Karim benzema ):

They ruled out Silva who is a very strong possibility too now that Valencia is falling apart I guess he'll be looking for a way out aswell and he himself said Man Utd is a favorite, and SAF has expressed his interests in him for the last 2 years now, ba2a he's a strong contender for that spot, we can sure use him! Plus..SAF said he thinks Hernandez is enough for now as a striker so that lessers Benzema's chance to come, and Ribery will probably go to Spain as he has expressed his will to play for Real INCASE he is to be sold.
Sneijder and Rodwell aren't just that big of a target talked about by SAF as much as the rest and tbh i dnt see them as BIG trades, big enough to be the ONE trade for this summer.
Bale is AMAZING bas Tottenham made it to the Champions League and he said i'm gonna stay here, he'll probably come when they lose in the Champions League next year and don't make it for the year after :D byejeh ma77al Evra cz he's young and well he's very good if u watch the English League u'll know (he's from Wales so no World Cup appearance for him)
Akinfeev isn't even the 2nd GK that Man Utd talked about for VDS' replacement! fi Da Gea and Lloris ablo as contenders. Plus, I doubt they'll bring a GK this season, they'll probably do so next year when VDS is retired..ma ra7 yjibo their number 1 w y2a3dou 3a janab for an entire year.
Ba2a I guess Silva's the strongest contender atm :)

Report: Red Knights Insist Manchester United Takeover Campaign Is On Track

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May 20, 2010 6:15:00 AM
The Red Knights have reacted with surprise to reports this week that their campaign to oust the Glazer family from Manchester United has been hit by internal dissension, according to a report from The Press Association.

It had been claimed that the takeover campaign was running out of steam as some of the indviduals involved began to disagree about what shape the structure of the club should take in future, and particularly over how much control should be handed to supporters.

However, any problems recently have been more due to the logistical difficulties inherent in getting up to 40 businesss people together in coordinated meetings, as well as the Iceland's volcanic ash cloud disrupting travel, rather to than any rifts.

"Talks have been going better than ever and are progressing very positively," PA Sport reports a source close to the Red Knights as saying.

The Glazer family meanwhile look highly unlikley to even consider selling United soon as a number of lucrative new commercial deals have been concluded by the club in recent weeks.


Source


Btw Ribery isn't going anywhere link

If it's down to only ONE transfer, i'd prefer Silva, anw Sneijder is a long shot, ma be3te2ed they're even considering him..):

lol guess who's NOT going anywhere? :ang:

Man Utd boss Ferguson: Berbatov will not be sold

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is adamant they won't sell Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian striker has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford following his £30.75million move from Tottenham in August 2008, scoring just 26 goals in two seasons.

But Ferguson has no plans to offload the "fantastic" 29-year-old.

"No, no, definitely not," he said. "That's a problem with a club like United - there's expectation and the media attention is always there.

"There's speculation every year - some summers I'm signing 100 players. You've got to live with that sort of media hype about the club. There's been a bit about Berbatov in terms of his future but we know he's a good player.

"He's a fantastic footballer and he'll be with us next year."


Source

Well atleast he has a passion for United, he fought hard to stay at United so we can always use players who give their best and play from their heart :D hope he gets better this year ):

Ferguson: I plan Man Utd signings years in advance

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed details of his transfer policy.

The United manager has been unable to recruit big-money signings in recent seasons, opting for cheaper, younger players who he believes will grow into top-class professionals.

And Ferguson revealed he plans his signings a couple of years in advance to help mould his team.

He said: "The reinforcements? I aim at one or two seasons ahead. I have anticipated the departures of 'United's souls', then Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown who have exceeded 30-years-old.

"Chris Smalling has huge potential as a central defender. He is only 20-years-old. In or two or three years he will be at the top."


Source

Whether you're with him or against him, u gotta respect this man..di3ano yfel next year :(

The Glazers are panicking - Manchester United Supporters' Trust

Supporters feel they have power to remove owners...

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By James Daly
28 May 2010 14:09:00
Manchester United fans are less than convinced with a statement from owners the Glazers professing the club is not for sale.

The American brothers recently warned off potential takeover group the Red Knights, claiming they will "not entertain any offers", but chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, Duncan Drasdo, thinks it proves they are scared of the fans' movement.

"Not For Sale - that has a familiar ring to it. Of course the last time
Manchester United was 'Not For Sale' was back in 2005 and what happened
next - the Glazer family bought it," Drasdo said in a statement.

"It is clear from the reactions on the Manchester United message boards that supporters are not buying into the spin coming out through the Glazers' PR machine."

United chief executive David Gill had previously rubbished the Green and Gold protest, claming most fans don't know what they are protesting about, but Drasdo reckons it had riled the owners.

"The Glazers are clearly panicking over the powerful Green and Gold campaign, the growing opposition amongst supporters and the threat of a mass non-renewal of season tickets from supporters," he added.

"They know that supporters have the power to remove them and they clearly fear that the anger amongst supporters at the millions they've taken out of our club has driven many beyond breaking point.

"We know their US businesses are in major financial difficulty and there is huge unrest at their American Football franchise [the Tampa Bay Buccaneers] too with fans up in arms refusing to renew season tickets due to lack of investment by the Glazers. Sounds familiar?

"If the club really isn't for sale why would they need to say anything at all? Why are they so concerned about telling everyone they don't want to sell? If they don't want to sell they can simply reject any offer. It sounds like the gentleman doth protest too
much."


Source

EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United Spent £40m Refinancing Debt Following £80m Cristiano Ronaldo Sale

* Old Trafford club have £95m cash reserves and turnover has increased by £26m year-on-year * But club debt has grown by £12m from January to £520m * Overall debt set to exceed £750m for current financial year

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By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent
May 28, 2010 4:41:00 PM
Manchester United spent the equivalent of half the proceeds from the £80 million Cristiano Ronaldo sale on refinancing their debt earlier this year, the club’s latest set of financial figures reveal today.

The quarterly results for the period January to end of March 2010 show an apparently buoyant economic picture, with cash reserves of £95.9m and a turnover that has increased £26m to £219m from the corresponding nine-month period last year.

But the Glazer family are continuing to increase the debt burden on the club.

Analysis of United’s accounts shows that the club made a one-off loss of £40.7m on interest rate swaps in the first quarter of the year, in order to change to a more favourable fixed deal after the club lost out to the sharp fall in interest rates.

This club have already paid off £12.7m of this – the equivalent of revenue from this season’s Champions League home games – and the remaining £28m will be absorbed by United over the next five years.

Despite the vast cash reserves, it is unlikely manager Sir Alex Ferguson will see too much of the money in the way of a summer transfer kitty. The £45m annual interest bill already soaks up half of the cash reserves.

Furthermore, although the overall debt in the club has decreased from £543.3m in March 30 2009 to £520m, it has increased by £12m since the Glazers took out a £500m bond in January to refinance what the club calls their “senior debt”.

The big mystery surrounds the notorious payment in kind (PIK) loans, which, although not revealed in the results posted by the football club, are estimated to have grown to £225m. They are set to rise even further with the interest rate due to jump to 16.25 per cent in August.

In the latest annual accounts, to July 2009, debts at the parent company Red Football Joint Venture increased to £716.5m. Based on today’s figures, that could comfortably exceed £750m by the end of the current financial year.

One City source told Goal.com UK: “This is a very well run football club with a scary bank sheet attached to it. If you take away the debt and look at the football club it is a resounding success story making huge amounts of money. Below the club sit some very nasty financial details.”

The last few months has witnessed a public battle between the club and the Red Knights, a group of wealthy individual supporters, with the two parties offering hugely differing estimates of United’s value.

The Glazers made a clear statement in the accounts today that the club is “not for sale and the owners will not entertain any offers”.

Earlier today, chief executive David Gill said that with the financing in place at the club and the growth in its commercial operations, United could “still be a top, top club”.

He told the Independent: “We can invest in players, invest in the training ground – we have plans for that – invest in the stadium and do those things. The money is definitely there. We are not in a situation where Alex is restricted in what he wants to do with the club.”

However, this is unlikely to placate the critics. Duncan Drasdo, chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), said: “The Glazers have said almost nothing for the last five years but all of a sudden with a supporter friendly takeover bid being assembled and supporters threatening not to renew season tickets they are in a real panic.

“Of course they won't say anything in person - they hide behind their PR people and club employees. David Gill wouldn't be defending them if he wasn't an employee. When the Glazers go perhaps we'll hear his true feelings.

“The fact is they've put no money in - not a single penny. The money used to purchase the club went to the shareholders, not the club and of course they borrowed the vast majority of that money and then transferred the debt to the club.”


Source


:dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2:

Manchester United To Offer Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs And Gary Neville Coaching Roles

Ferguson will keep veteran trio as staff...

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By Michael Wade
May 30, 2010 8:31:00 AM
Manchester United will ask veteran trio Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville to remain at Old Trafford as coaches when their playing days come to an end.

All three have recently penned one-year extension deals, which will keep them at the Red Devils until the end of next season.

Giggs has almost 800 appearances for United since progressing through the youth system, while Neville and Scholes are both exceeding 500 outings for the club.

And United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes theit vast experience is central to developing the future generations on the red half of Manchester.

"They are living proof for young players that the United [Manchester United] system allows players to succeed," Ferguson told L’Equipe.

"When they stop playing they will stay. All three are taking their coaching diplomas. I don’t think the club will pass up that much experience."

Ferguson also earmarked Patrice Evra, John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher as future team leaders, will addressing concerns regarding United’s debt following recent comments from out-going Ben Foster and chief executive David Gill.

"Protesting has become a reflex action these days. There are fans protesting against the Glazers [Manchester United's owners], which doesn’t bother me because it doesn’t interfere with the team," he added.

"The fans love their club here and they are worried. I don’t share their worry.

"I have a talented squad, a superb training complex, a magnificent stadium, we’re fighting for the biggest titles every season so it’s easy for me to keep my distance from all these issues."


Source

bi 5sous el pic? :hawhaw:

anw yeah they deserve it :D

lol that's the pic that was posted on the source's article :D ma fi Giggs bas :(

Btw check out the prices on ----> ManUtdStore Discount about 60% on Man Utd [home] shirts, though ma bi wasslo 3a Lebanon bas if u have someone bel KSA or Jordan or Syria or Israel lool or any balad m7awwatna like Cyprus kamen, fik twassi 3leya yjiba ma3o :p lol damn them! :@ anw my sister's living in KSA and wassayta 3a one matbou3 esem/ra2em Giggs 3leya - official one :dev2: cz I didn't like their new shirt that much, anw i'll probs get the new shirt aswell bas I can't miss out on their current offer, saret el shirt 7a22a 30$ badal 70$ !!!

Well here's how it goes, Aramex has got a good offer going on --->

u can open up 2 P.O. Boxes in both the U.S. and the U.K. bi about 30$ lifetime aw 40$ mech akid..bas anyways u'll order stuff from the U.S. 3al P.O. Box bel U.S. w khbar men el U.K. 3al P.O. Box bel U.K.

halla2 once u order, the shipping inside their own countries is for free, masalan u order something from the U.K. 3a P.O. Box bel U.K. btotla3 el shipping for free w some products they take about 5$ as a fee

then, men el P.O. Box, bet wassellak el Aramex ur order to where u live: Lebanon or KSA or maba3ref what other country

they take about 10$ on each kilo wel shirt ma wazna chi, so byotla3 el shipping 10$ cz they don't take shipping fees for a national order (ya3neh inside the U.K.)

bas I dnt know how it works if u DON'T have a P.O. Box with Aramex..):

Goal.com Summer Shopping: Who should Manchester United buy?

Goal.com's transfer special series comes to focus on the Red Devils...

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By Matt Monaghan
1 Jun 2010 13:30:00
After a season without major silverware, but full of tales of financial woe, Manchester United face an important summer of transfer dealing.

Chairman David Gill has insisted money is available for Sir Alex Ferguson to spend and close the one-point gap to Premier League champions Chelsea. The manager has declared that one or two signings will be made to supplement the pre-arranged arrivals of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez and Fulham centre back Chris Smalling.

United were so close to yet another glory-filled campaign and the extent of their ambition will be shown by the Glazer’s desire to spend. Make at least one big-name signing and the ‘green and gold’ campaign will go quiet, fail to invest and a record breaking 19th league trophy will look further away than ever.

Goalkeepers

Despite signing Edwin van der Sar up to a new one-year deal, reports of a swoop for a new goalkeeper have refused to go away. The Dutchman will turn 40 this year and the need to blood a top draw replacement is on Ferguson’s mind.

Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon, CSKA Moscow’s Igor Akinfeev, Lyon’s Hugo Lloris, Schalke 04’s Manuel Neuer and Fiorentina’s Sebastian Frey have all been linked. With the prospect of a season in and out of the team to come, the Scot is likely to favour a swoop for either Neuer or Lloris with the upcoming World Cup used to test their suitability.

Ben Foster’s exit to Birmingham City will not be an issue as reserve shotstopper Ben Amos is set for promotion.

Defence

The question marks that surrounded the United defence in winter disappeared as that department provided the bed-rock of another title bid. After a season of speculation, the increasing possibility of Nemanja Vidic staying at Old Trafford has quelled the need for a top draw centre back.

Palermo’s Simon Kjaer, Bolton Wanderers’ Gary Cahill and Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic had been lined up, but now only Fulham’s Chris Smalling will add to the ranks upon the completion of the £10 million switch agreed in January. A re-occurrence of Rio Ferdinand’s back problems at the World Cup could yet see Ferguson take the plunge, however.

The perennial story linking Inter Milan’s Maicon with a big money transfer to Old Trafford has re-appeared, but the Brazilian’s age, price-tag and new contract for Gary Neville make it a no-goer.

Patrice Evra could also get a new under-study if the long-arranged switch for Corinthians starlet Dodo is pushed through.

Midfield

Much of the blame for United’s failure to lift any significant silverware last term has centred on the contribution of the midfield. At times, chances were in short supply as the club failed to match the free-scoring exploits of Chelsea.

Star names from across the globe have been linked to play the magician. Real Madrid’s Rafael van der Vaart, Benfica’s Angel Di Maria, Chelsea’s Joe Cole, Everton’s Mikel Arteta, CSKA Moscow’s Milos Krasic, Aston Villa’s James Milner, Santos’ Henrique Ganzo and Valencia’s David Silva have all emerged as targets.

If the Glazers’ purse-strings are tight, a free transfer swoop for Joe Cole is most likely. A high spend on youthful stars Ganzo and Milner moves to the forefront if Ferguson continues his policy of investing in stars of the future.

A lack of steel, as well as craft, was apparent again. Owen Hargreaves’ return to fitness will boost that department, but a bid for Barcelona’s Yaya Toure or Everton’s Jack Rodwell can’t be discounted.

The whole area was not a wash-out. Antonio Valencia looked a snip even at £16m, Nani’s renaissance was a surprising bonus and Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs merited fresh contracts.

New names must be added to match their contribution as Michael Carrick and Anderson could be sold to fund the spending spree.

Attack

Wayne Rooney’s emergence from Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow saved United’s campaign and pushed the critic’s gaze on to the misfiring Dimitar Berbatov. The barbs thrust at the club record signing as he failed to match his strike partner’s goalscoring contribution make a transfer market plunge for a star name likely.

At the top of the list is a fresh move for Real Madrid flop Karim Benzema, while his team-mate Gonzalo Higuain, Barcelona’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bojan Krkic, Wolfsburg’s Edin Dzeko and Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero have all been linked.

Benzema’s cut-price £15m fee and point to prove make him the most likely to join Guadalajara centre forward Javier Hernandez at Old Trafford next term.

IN (4) : Chris Smalling (Fulham), Javier Hernandez (Guadalajara), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Joe Cole (Chelsea – free)

OUT (2) : Anderson, Michael Carrick



Source

tbh i'd like to see the following Line-Up:

4-4-2 Diamond or 4-1-2-1-2 whatever u wanna call it..

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excuse my poor Paint Edit ta 7ott el names 7ad each position ): bas that would be a great formation, bas anyways la you3la 3a Sir Alex so whatever he does, it's probs better :D

Honestly? la2 I think Man Utd has got so much potential ba3ed, fi Fletcher aswell, fi Berbatov, he can be a support attacker (a little bit behind Rooney) he's a good player although ppl say he's worthless bas I dnt think he's being looked at from the right perspective. There's also Anderson he's not bad at all bas this season was full with injuries for him, ma tensa Owen, he was AMAZING b4 his injury this season, ba2a no I don't think Cole is better, fi Giggs w Valencia at his place a7san menno, w even Cole said if he wants to move somewhere, it wont be anywhere in the UK if NOT Chelsea, it'll be the United States he said! Ba2a ma be3te2ed byejeh Cole w he's not needed aslan ): halla2 someone WOULD be nice as a replacement for Scholes cz he's leaving the year after next season, they talked about Bordeaux's Gourcuff alot bas dunno...): nothing's actually confirmed w lotsa speculations are taking place ba2a we'll see..we'll see....

Red Knights shelve interest

Consortium wait for valuation to come down to £1billion

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The Red Knights have confirmed they will not be making a bid for Manchester United this summer but remain committed to usurping the Glazers.

The green and gold campaign, which has seen supporters don the colours of the club's predecessors Newton Heath at matches in protest at the Glazers' running of the club, had seemed to gather momentum towards the end of the season.

However the American owners, who plunged the Red Devils into over £700million of debt when taking over in 2005, have insisted that the club is not for sale.

Rumours that a £1.5billion offer from a Far East consortium had been rejected by the Glazers last week has forced the Red Knights to temporarily withdraw their interest until a more realistic figure is reached - thought to be in the region of £1billion.

"The Red Knights remain committed to pursuing their efforts to try and help bring ownership of Manchester United to its supporters, and under a structure with materially less debt," said a statement on behalf of the group.

"As we have maintained however since news of our ambitions first emerged in March, we will only attempt to purchase the club at a sensible price, consistent with the long-term interests of the club.

"Persistent speculation in the media of inflated valuation aspirations has made
our goals less attainable, as potential investors have strongly reinforced our views that we should not move forward at a price uneconomic for the future of the club."


Source

well they have two good CDMs: Hargreaves and Carrick.
what they need is a CAM to replace Scholes cz he can't be a starter next season, neither can Giggs nor Neville due to their age, they'll probs be starters in some League matches but that's as far as it goes, gher hek..subs. bi fido el fari2 aktar as subs anyways.
a Forward to play along Rooney, cz they have Berbatov who can't play alongside Rooney, he's more of a support player, and Owen who's always injured :p so they need someone fast and young and knows his way around the defence.
a RB to replace Neville cz O'Shea although is good, he still isn't a TOP player, he's a gr8 sub though.
and a GK is needed to replace VDS after his retirement.

Park Ji Sung - Fletcher - Giggs - Scholes - Neville - Carrick - Wes - Rafael - Hernandez etc..very good subs, bas they need a FW - a CAM - a RB - and a GK ykouno on a "starters" level of players mech subs!

Manchester United losing battle to keep Nemanja Vidic from Manchester City but are lining up move for Real Madrid's Karim Benzema

*Serbian defender wants earning parity with Rio Ferdinand
*City willing to make Vidic best-paid player in England on £200,000 a week
*United lining up marquee summer signing to quell supporter unrest

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Manchester United have renewed their interest in Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema but are losing their battle to hold on to Nemanja Vidic, Goal.com UK can reveal.

Sir Alex Ferguson has given the green light for the club to make another move for the French striker after losing out to the Spanish giants last summer.

United, who refused to meet Lyon’s £35 million asking price 12 months ago, are confident they can land the 22-year-old for around £20m after he struggled to make an impact at the Bernabeu.

But United fear they will not be able to hang on to Vidic, who is the subject of increasing interest from wealthy neighbours Manchester City.

It is understood that City are willing to triple the Serbian defender’s wages and offer him a £200,000-a-week contract, which would make him the highest paid player in Premier League history.

United do not want to lose Vidic, who was named as the Premier League Player of the Season in 2008-09. But the defender feels he should be rewarded with a deal to equal his central defensive colleague and the club’s highest earner Rio Ferdinand, who is on around £120,000-a-week.

City have been encouraged by the noises they have heard from Vidic’s agent, who has said his client is considering leaving United after the World Cup. The Eastlands club’s approach has been modelled on their pursuit of John Terry last summer, when they made a series of substantial offers, all of them rejected.

United accept that they may have to choose between getting up to £25m for him now or risk losing Vidic for nothing in two years' time, when his current deal expires.

Uncertainty about the player’s future has accelerated the need for the club to strengthen a squad that has so far been replenished only by unproven players, including Chris Smalling, a £10m buy from Fulham, and £8m Javier Hernandez.

Senior figures at Old Trafford recognise the need for a marquee summer signing to quell increasing concern among supporters about the club’s finances and ability to compete at the top end of the transfer market, which was highlighted in a BBC Panorama documentary last week.

Benzema struggled to make an impact at Real last season and did not make France’s World Cup squad but he is still highly regarded at Old Trafford and would significantly bolster a strike force that relied heavily upon Wayne Rooney last season.