Posts Tagged ‘Manchester United’

Freedom Of The Press, (To Lie)

Posted: August 15, 2015 in Opinion, Press
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Has it ever occurred to anybody how much freedom the press actually have?

Obviously all the press have this freedom but I am thinking particularly of the absolute rubbish, supposition, guesses and downright lies put forward by the football writers in order to bring attention to their particular publication, either for clicks online or to sell their newspaper, without any governing body to moderate their behaviour.

Quite often, the headline used will bear no resemblance to the content of the story.

At the time of writing this a deal for Manchester United to sign Pedro has been “imminent” for nearly two weeks. There have been “done deals” for Otamendi, Gaitan, Ramos and Cillesen. The plain fact of the matter is, again at the time of writing, none of these players have been signed. (more…)

Has Louis Of The Quick Lip Become Louis Of The Lost Plot?

Posted: August 13, 2015 in Football, Manchester United
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Shortly before the transfer window officially opened Louis van Gaal told everyone who would listen that he wanted ALL his transfer business concluding before the pre-season tour to the US of A.

This makes sense in many ways. It gives any new signings the chance to get to know their new team mates on and off the pitch. It gives them the chance to get to know the club and the way it works. It also gives them the opportunity to play some games where the result doesn’t really matter. All of this culminating, hopefully, in a harmonious and reenergised team returning to the UK raring to go. (more…)

The Scout

Posted: August 11, 2015 in Football
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Speaking entirely as a novice I am caused occasional frustration when I see the top clubs spending millions on players.

You would think that, as the richest teams in Europe, the top clubs would have the top scouts. If that is the case where are the unknown players? We see the occasional kid being signed at fifteen or sixteen, only to go out on loan for the next three years, then usually get sold as he wasn’t quite good enough for the first team. Scouts obviously attend the youth matches because they need players for their own youth teams but, as has been said a lot lately, where are these players coming through?

Good scouting is more evident from about 8th or 9th place down in the Premier league. It seems that every club from there downwards has a decent scouting system and can bring players through themselves. (more…)

It Isn’t Easy Being Manchester United

Posted: August 4, 2015 in Manchester United
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(This is an article I first posted back in August of last year. The reason for republishing this edited version is simple, it is still pretty relevant.)

Well, that ‘s the halfway stage reached with United in fifth place. The expectation after the last spend would have been a little higher, maybe fourth or third, as everybody expected Chelsea and City to be one and two, so a little down on target to date.

Now, all that remains to be done is to strengthen the squad so that the second half of the season culminates in a top four finish.

So let the problems begin. Firstly, everybody who is anybody will be linked with a move to United except the three, now untouchable, at Barcelona, (as eagle-eyed readers will know, since this article, Neymar actually has been linked with United).This, in itself, is a problem. Gone are the days when you merely had to say that you represented Manchester United for the targeted player to immediately pack his bags and instruct his agent to negotiate his departure. (more…)

Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich

Posted: July 29, 2015 in European Football, Football, Opinion
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Why do top players, when given the chance to sign for one of the top clubs, invariably choose Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich? Even Manchester United rarely get a look-in if one of these three is involved.

It’s too simplistic to say they are the best teams in Europe. In the last ten years only Barcelona have enjoyed relative success in the Champions league, having won it four times. Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich have each won it once in the same period.

Of the leagues in which they play only the Premier League can be said to be contested by more than two or three teams. (more…)

This Is Goodbye, Not Just Adios

Posted: July 26, 2015 in Manchester United
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Just before this time last year I was imploring Manchester United not to buy Angel Di Maria. I was reading every newspaper online as well as all the other publications I could find that were headlining that United were interested. I posted my disagreement on every one of them where comments were allowed.

I based my opposition to his purchase on a couple of things. Firstly, I live in Spain so I had seen quite a lot of him. Real Madrid, as you can imagine, is quite a popular team over here. What I had seen was nothing more than average. I had seen him cut in from the right and score a couple of decent goals with his left foot and had seen a couple of decent dribbles where he had actually beaten a player or two then put a decent cross in. Nothing to show me, (or any watching United scouts I would have thought), that he was world class and worth a fee in the region of ÂŁ60 million. (more…)

How Much Do Legends Earn?

Posted: July 24, 2015 in Misuse of Words
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image Read the above question and see if anything comes to mind that could be wrong with it. Nothing? You’re right, until you start adding people to the equation. Here’s a fictitious example using a Football player but it could easily be another profession.

“Manchester United legend Quinton Fortune earned 10,000 pounds per week while playing for the Red Devils” The figure quoted may or may not be true but, for the sake of this discussion, let’s assume it is true. (more…)

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