Manchester United supporters are still coming to terms with the confirmation that Wayne Rooney wants to quit the club. Ferguson took the very unusual step of making the announcement himself at yesterday's press conference ahead of this evenings Champions League clash with Bursaspor.
The United manager claims that Rooney's agent intimated that the player wasn't going to renew his contract as far back as August. However, those claims have been denied by the Rooney camp; the other side say, they only broke the news last Wednesday following the reported bust-up over the player's 'injuries' and his subsequent loss of form and his starting place in the first-team.
Only those directly involved know the real truth, but clearly there are conflicting reports over the timing of what actually happened and when.
What we don't yet know is why Rooney is leaving: we will we ever know the real truth? Perhaps. For now, we have to analyse what has happened and how this will affect United going forward without Rooney.
First things first: Why did Ferguson make this announcement himself?
There will, without doubt, be many answers trotted out to this question, but here's our take:
Rooney went public last week when telling the nation that Ferguson had been lying over those ankle injury claims. In response, Ferguson said "it was water off a duck's back". The fact that Rooney had gone against his manager by effectively calling him liar was a very worrying sign, predictably the transfer rumour-mill swung into action.
United fans will recall that in a similar situation, Ronaldo had told Ferguson of his wish to leave the club 12 months before the move actually happened. Ferguson struck a deal with Ronaldo, but it was all kept under wraps for 12 months. In this instance, rather than try to keep the news from the fans, and perhaps unwisely by making the announcement mid-season, the club runs the risk of lowering any bids because the whole world knows Rooney's time at United is over...
Contrary to his "water off a ducks back" response, Ferguson was clearly livid with Rooney and understandably so. Our view is that the United manager took the very unusual step of breaking the news himself in an attempt to regain the moral high-ground with the fans and media. Ferguson may well have regained the high-ground with the fans but at what price?
So what is Rooney's likely response?
The rumour-mill suggests that the player has lost confidence in his manager, because he has failed to bring in adequate replacements for Ronaldo and Tevez.
While Ferguson may well have temporarily regained the morale high-ground, this response is something of an open goal for Rooney - because it is true - and there's nothing Fergie or anyone else at United can do that will convince supporters otherwise.
Rooney was left to carry the burden of scoring the goals last season, as soon as the player sustained that injury against Bayern Munich, United's season was effectively over.
No matter what Fergie says, United are in decline and we the fans cannot escape that conclusion and if there was any doubt, Rooney's departure is the final confirmation.
So where is Rooney heading?
Earlier this week one report claimed that the Glazers' had put Ferguson in total charge of the Rooney saga; It was also claimed that the manager would dictate Rooney's destination and the timing of any move.
United fans may well be hoping, and make no mistake, we are, that Rooney will not be sold to Manchester City and for very obvious reasons. Sadly, United are in no position to dictate given the financial mess the club are in because of the Glazer family takeover.
There's no way Chelsea, Real Madrid or Barcelona are daft enough to offer top money for Rooney - not in this situation when everyone knows how bad relationships are between player and manager.
The only likely destination is Eastlands. Manchester City would pay £50m just to rub United's nose in it. No matter that Rooney could be just another reserve, but that scenario is unlikely, well it is, assuming the player can recapture the form that saw him score so many vital goals last season.
So what does the future hold for United and Ferguson?
With United playing so indifferently this season and with Rooney heading for the exit door as early as January, United chances of winning the Premier League or the Champions League look remote.
Inevitably, Rooney's departure will ignite talk of Ferguson retiring sooner rather than later. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but you wonder if Ferguson will live to regret not retiring in 2008 after winning the Champions League final, because it looks like the United manager will not be leaving on a high-note, not unless the club goes out and matches the ambitions of the fans in the transfer market, but there's more chance of the Pope defecting to the church of England while the Glazers' are in charge.
Rooney and the critics can claim, with some justification, that there's a massive rebuilding job to do at Old Trafford and given is age, it's fair to ask if Ferguson is the man to do it. Ferguson will not be sacked, you guarantee that much, not least because of his sickening support for the debt laden Glazer regime.
We could see Fergie leaving United at the end of the current season, but his pride is likely to be further damaged if Rooney defects to City and subsequently pours scorn on his former manager for failing to adequately strengthen the squad. Yet, Fergie's pride could be the very thing that drives him to carry on, but if he does, he runs the risk of being compared to a punch-drunk boxer who doesn't know when to quit.
In summary:
Rooney has disappointed the supporters, who may have been shocked, but we shouldn't be surprised at this turn of events. Rooney left Everton his boyhood club for better things, he may well argue that is what he's doing this time around: we the fans' might not agree, but results on the pitch are ultimately what count and only time will tell what the future holds for United and Rooney.
Was Fergie right to go public and make the announcement himself? In some ways yes, but in other ways no. He was right because it gave the manager a chance to get across his very obvious disappointment and to convey his side of the story, but in so doing, he lowered himself and importantly he might well have indirectly lowered the player's eventual transfer fee.
They say every cloud has a silver-lining and in this case, the silver-lining is that Rooney's defection to City could foreshorten the Glazers' stay at United, because Ferguson won't be around much longer and once he goes the owners will follow not longer after. There's a very real possibility that United's days at the top of the domestic game are well and truly over. United are a house of cards that are waiting to collapse. And the clock is ticking for the Glazers'.
In years to come, when we look back at Ferguson's time at the club, Rooney's defection will undoubtedly be one of, if not the lowest point in his United career.
It remains to be see how the fans' will react to the news that Rooney wants out. It is to be hoped United fans do not boo one of our own players while he's on the pitch - not while he's still at the club - it would be embarrassing if that happened.
United have lost/sold better players than Rooney in the recent past: Beckham and Cantona to name just two; but this time it's different, because the squad is so short of genuine star quality.
The nearest comparison is George Best, who back in the early 70s had been carrying an ageing squad for a number of years; when Best left United were eventually relegated. There's no way Rooney should ever be compared to a genuine United legend and let me make it clear I'm not even half suggesting that for a moment.
Rooney carried United for just one season and now he wants out. We don't yet know why, it doesn't actually matter why, the only thing that matters is that he no longer wants to play for United. Fine. Let him go. United will move on, in time the club will bounce back because we always do.
Finally, only those among us who still believe in Father Christmas will believe that Fernando Torres is going to be Rooney's replacement.
Buckle your seatbelts, it's going to be a very bumpy ride for the next few seasons, especially for those who only started following the club from the early nineties onwards...
Another excellent, well thought out article.
ReplyDeleteThe more I have thought about it Manchester United would be absolutely stupid not to sell in January. At least they will be in a better position to achieve a fair price.
The thought of Rooney staying until the end of the season and then being able to purchase his last year of his contract for £5 million and go wherever the largest signing on and weekly wage cheque is offered. That is a no go!
Then again Rooney is in the perfect position. If,as we all believe, it is Manchester City that have destabalised him. He holds all the cards. Ferguson can rant and rave but Rooney can say NO to any other club and wait until the end of the season.
So I believe if Manchester City is where Rooney wants to go, he will go there!
As for the reason Ferguson held the press conference yesterday, read his statement very dramatically, and took no questions was quite well managed.
However payback time for Rooney- who will now be public enemy number one at Old Trafford!- will be at the first press conference at his new club and the subsequent press interviews he will give and be allowed to give.
If he goes to City or even Chelsea nothing would delight those clubs more than to de-stabalise Ferguson.
You alluded to something the other day when you took me to task for calling ferguson a good catholic. Perhaps young Rooney has chapter and verse? Perhaps he can, like Becks, give dates, times and places to prove Ferguson has been less than truthful.
Where that to happen, then, I think that would hasten the man's retirement.
But is it not time to call on the Glazers to publicly assure the fans just how much they are willing to spend on rebuilding the team?
Instead of kicking them, at the moment, just ask the question. IF, as I suspect, we get no response then every right thinking Manchester United Supporter should declare themselves totally opposed to the Glazers and boycott all games! and, more importantly, merchandise.
Strapworld, (...why that name may I ask?)...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment: They will get you everywhere on this blog! arf...
Regarding City destablising the player: surely, this is the worst of all combinations? - a thick footballer and a greedy agent.
I don't actually care why Rooney is going. But personally, I doubt it has much to do with money as far as Rooney is concerned, as for his agent that might be a different scenario altogether.
Regarding the dates and time, chapter and verse etc. In the world of spin, both sides will have their own version of events, but you can rest assured there will be no ligigation regarding any of the counter claims, because as thing stand all parties stand to make a lot of money, but it's United who will suffer on the pitch, at least in the short-term.
In relation to the Glazers' now more than any other time is the time to question their resolve to support Ferguson... at least that is my view. But the problem is will they allow the manager to spend £200m or so on the team? Time will tell.
And by the way, they need kicking all the way back to Florida.
When the story started to break I was all the more devastated because I did see him as a legend, if only because I thought he would stay forever and was 'one in the making'. This blog helps put things in perspective , so for that I thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis will certainly be a period of sustained change and pain, but at the end of the day, if we come out of it without the Glazers and Ferie, we still have 70 odd thousand people coming through the gates and the biggest brand in world football, so when those blood sucking leprechauns eff off the money will be there, and we will turn great again. Swings and roundabouts!
I am still coming to terms with reality. Wayne Rooney of all people wants to quit the club he pledged his love and career for just 6 months back. I thought in today's world of modern football overflowing with money hungry mercenary footballers, Rooney was a misfit. A guy who loved the club, a guy who kissed the badge and let the world know how much he loves the red shirt. How mistaken was I.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it shouldn't come as a surprise. He did the same thing when he came to us from Everton. He proudly wore the 'Once a blue, always a blue' label on his chest before swapping for the riches of Manchester. Its our fault for we didn't see this coming from Rooney, who has always back stabbed people who have stood by him.
Atleast Ronaldo had more class about him. He did not make any false promises. He wanted to play for his boyhood club which is fair. But till the time he was here he was a model professional who gave his all every time he wore the shirt on the field.
I also think that for the first time Ferguson hasn't put a foot wrong. He has defended Rooney time and time again. Always stuck to him like a father would. He made Rooney change from a hot headed foul mouthed brash kid to a young man who the world took notice of.
The only thing that concerns me is the money we will receive from Rooney's sale. I don't care if we get 50 million or 5 million for him. What I do care about is will we see that money coming back to the club?? I doubt it. Wayne can sod off to any club in the world, even city, for I know his career will dip the moment he steps out of Old Trafford. No other club, no other set of fans will support him like we do. Everytime he will lose the ball, the Madristas will wave their white handkerchieves. Every game he goes without scoring will generate screams from the city fans to replace him with some multi million pound signing sitting on the bench. He will miss the grass of Old Trafford while he warms the bench at Camp Nou.
Wayne Rooney, may your career go down so deep that people dont even rememeber your name. May you regret the day you left Old trafford for all your life.
You will not be forgiven, much worse, you will be forgotten.
This club survived eight dead players so having to let one go is hardly a crisis.
WAYNE ROONEY, FUCK YOU
I am still coming to terms with reality. Wayne Rooney of all people wants to quit the club he pledged his love and career for just 6 months back. I thought in today's world of modern football overflowing with money hungry mercenary footballers, Rooney was a misfit. A guy who loved the club, a guy who kissed the badge and let the world know how much he loves the red shirt. How mistaken was I.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it shouldn't come as a surprise. He did the same thing when he came to us from Everton. He proudly wore the 'Once a blue, always a blue' label on his chest before swapping for the riches of Manchester. Its our fault for we didn't see this coming from Rooney, who has always back stabbed people who have stood by him.
Atleast Ronaldo had more class about him. He did not make any false promises. He wanted to play for his boyhood club which is fair. But till the time he was here he was a model professional who gave his all every time he wore the shirt on the field.
I also think that for the first time Ferguson hasn't put a foot wrong. He has defended Rooney time and time again. Always stuck to him like a father would. He made Rooney change from a hot headed foul mouthed brash kid to a young man who the world took notice of.
The only thing that concerns me is the money we will receive from Rooney's sale. I don't care if we get 50 million or 5 million for him. What I do care about is will we see that money coming back to the club?? I doubt it. Wayne can sod off to any club in the world, even city, for I know his career will dip the moment he steps out of Old Trafford. No other club, no other set of fans will support him like we do. Everytime he will lose the ball, the Madristas will wave their white handkerchief. Every game he goes without scoring will generate screams from the city fans to replace him with some multi million pound signing sitting on the bench. He will miss the grass of Old Trafford while he warms the bench at Camp Nou.
Wayne Rooney, may your career go down so deep that people dont even rememeber your name. May you regret the day you left Old trafford for all your life.
You will not be forgiven, much worse, you will be forgotten.
This club survived eight dead players so having to let one go is hardly a crisis.
WAYNE ROONEY, FUCK YOU
I am still coming to terms with reality. Wayne Rooney of all people wants to quit the club he pledged his love and career for just 6 months back. I thought in today's world of modern football overflowing with money hungry mercenary footballers, Rooney was a misfit. A guy who loved the club, a guy who kissed the badge and let the world know how much he loves the red shirt. How mistaken was I.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it shouldn't come as a surprise. He did the same thing when he came to us from Everton. He proudly wore the 'Once a blue, always a blue' label on his chest before swapping for the riches of Manchester. Its our fault for we didn't see this coming from Rooney, who has always back stabbed people who have stood by him.
Atleast Ronaldo had more class about him. He did not make any false promises. He wanted to play for his boyhood club which is fair. But till the time he was here he was a model professional who gave his all every time he wore the shirt on the field.
The only thing that concerns me is the money we will receive from Rooney's sale. I don't care if we get 50 million or 5 million for him. What I do care about is will we see that money coming back to the club?? I doubt it. Wayne can sod off to any club in the world, even city, for I know his career will dip the moment he steps out of Old Trafford. No other club, no other set of fans will support him like we do. Everytime he will lose the ball, the Madristas will wave their white handkerchief. Every game he goes without scoring will generate screams from the city fans to replace him with some multi million pound signing sitting on the bench. He will miss the grass of Old Trafford while he warms the bench at Camp Nou.
Wayne Rooney, may your career go down so deep that people dont even rememeber your name. May you regret the day you left Old trafford for all your life.
You will not be forgiven, much worse, you will be forgotten.
This club survived eight dead players so having to let one go is hardly a crisis.
WAYNE ROONEY, FUCK YOU
I hope something changes and he doesn't actually leave by January, but there's not much we can do but sit back and see what happens.
ReplyDeleteThis is startling news, and sign of the end of a great era in my eyes. A lot of United fans are quick to see off any player who shows dissatisfaction, spouting the "no player is bigger than the club" rhetoric. True, no player is bigger than any club, but losing Rooney, Ronaldo, and Tevez in the span of 18 months would not happen to a club that is still "the biggest in the world."
Even if Rooney has no morals off the pitch and doesn't bleed United Red the way we thought he did, I hope the fans still support him until he leaves, and till the end of his career in the event that he stays. We've been spoiled with Giggs and Scholes, legends that remain with one club--a breed that is nearly extinct. It would be nice to have a squad composed of all players who think shirt first, me second, but in the end, all I care about is results, and not so much who is getting them, or about their character.
Rooney can help us win, and keep us near the top level long enough for some hope of recovery, so I think it's worth the risk to try and keep him.
I lived in Chicago for several years in the 90's, and when Michael Jordan and company left the Bulls, the team went from the greatest of all-time to worst in the league in a few short months. Chicago fans continued to sell out Bulls games until the team recovered. I hope United fans show the same support (if not necessarily financially, as to show the Glazers what's what)in the event of a dramatic decline.
Excellent analysis,James, as usual.
Mr Rydell.
ReplyDeleteSimply 'cause I am always, with five children and three grand children, strapped for cash!!
OK well here's a suggestion, when you get some cash you should buy a TV and keep out of the bedroom: That's far too many kids in this day and age! :0).
ReplyDeleteWE all have our cross to bear.
James, I think you are giving Rooney too much credit by dismissing money. True, not bringing in quality could be a major, if not the most, important factor. But if he is upset about his place in the squad after his personal and on and off-field antics, there's not much the Glazers would be guilty of.
ReplyDeleteMy take on this is that there is so much time until the transfer window and that things will be patched up before then. It seems a long shot but there's just too much time for some good to not come out of this. How knows, maybe this is a ploy to get more money out of his contract and Fergie's reply is the counter. Wishful thinking.
I can also say that I am glad to hear that "strapworld" refers to be strapped for cash and not something else...Until later gentlemen, adieu. Enjoy the game today.
Mr Rydell,
ReplyDeleteI am a dedicated Englishman fighting back!!
I can almost feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteI feel sick to my stomach. Same way I felt the moment I heard United agreed a fee for Ronaldo.
ReplyDeleteFergie looked really gutted yesterday. I really think he cares for Rooney and only wants the best for him. After that interview I really felt that Rooney had perhaps had his head turned by the money City can offer and that combined with the crap form and rough time he has had the last 6 months or so was enough for him to want out.
However then there was Rooneys statement just now. We have a weak team at the moment. Maybe the weakest I can remember in over 20 years. If Gill did tell him that we wont be strengthing the team then I dont really blame him for looking elsewhere. It might also explain why Fergie seemed so gutted about the whole thing, his hands are tied with regards to spending big money.
I just hope that it is down to him being unhappy with the state of the squad and the fact it isnt going to be fixed and not because he wants crazy wages at City.
Dave,
ReplyDeleteLike I said in the blog, this was an open goal for the Rooney camp: No matter what Gill or Fergie says from now on, they will be judged on their actions in the transfer market.
Make no mistake the thumbscrews are on United and the tables have been well and truly turned on the manager, Gill and importantly the Glazers.
As I also mentioned this could be the silver lining in this particular cloud.
PS I forgot to add, only the completely and utterly deluded with say this is about money IMO, it clearly isn't.
ReplyDeleteSO I too side with Rooney on this issue, because the club is lacking ambition - if they have ambition let's see what they do about this... but the Glazers have a history fleecing the fans and not backing the manager and isn't it about time that Ferguson climbed down off that fence and stopped brown-nosing the owners?
Btw, I'm no longer interested in Rooney as he wants out so good riddance.
That is a statement that may have been signed by Rooney but has been written by his agent for his agent!
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine Rooney writing such a statement unaided.
That said, it is now up to the Glazers to come and give a press conference and be open and honest with everyone.
Will they? Of course not.
But isn't it strange that not one journalist has tried to get an interview with this family of asset strippers.
I have a course of action for Ferguson to consider. When Allison was in charge at City he had trouble from a young star called Bowyer. He sold him to Leyton Orient!
Now wouldn't that be wonderful if Fergie could do the same. But Rooney, as his agent knows full well, holds all the aces.
So it is to City he will go.
Strap,
ReplyDeleteYou can choose to believe this is or not, but for my sins, I occasionally work with the people who wrote Sven's exit statement from Manchester City, so I know how these things work.
Rooney and his agent will more than likely have a PR agency involved and the statement will be a joint effort.
But as I'm sure you'll agree, I called it right earlier in the day.
Rooney has played the ball back into the club's court.
It doesn't matter what Gill or Fergie says in response, because talk is cheap.
From now on, the club will be judged on their actions in the transfer market.
Like I posted earlier in the day. Every cloud has a silver-lining and hopefully this transfer will indirectly foreshorten the Glazers stay at United...
Rooney is heading for Eastlands, but yes, it would be great if we could decide where he's going, but the sad reality is money will dictate where Rooney plays next season.
@ James
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be quite certain that Wayne will hop over to the Blue side of the city.
My question is, do you have access to any privileged information that we don't? And if that is a nailed on certainty?
Overthinker,
ReplyDeleteSadly, no, I don't have access to that information. It is my opinion that the only club who will come anywhere close to making an acceptable offer is City.
IF you recall the Beckham transfer, United really bungled that one by trying to sell him to Barca. In the end, the player went where he wanted and United ended up with a lower fee.
Rooney will go where he wants to go and I strongly suspect that will be City.
I will also make this prediction. Rooney will not do as well as Tevez has done. Which if true will raise questions about those United fans who questioned the Argentine's ability after he quit the Reds...I honestly wonder if I'm watching the same game as some of these fans at times.
What's more, it's fair to say that Tevez and Ronaldo conducted themselves like real professionals in their final season - Rooney in contrast has been quite poor IMO because he's had the look of someone who doesn't give a stuff any longer.
To end on, Rooney is obviously a very good player, but I'd have to say he is replaceable.
Mr Rydell,
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that a man as good with words as yourself would be very good in PR etc.
That said. I do believe that Rooney holds all the cards with which team he eventually decides to go to, but that will have been signed and sealed before all this blew up.
However I think Fergie may well have the last laugh. He knows he cannot play Rooney. The dressing room must be absolutely livid with Rooney and I can see one or two wanting to take on Rooney over that statement. So Rooney can never play for United again.Unless he makes a full apology to his team mates
Fergie could play it two ways. Allow any transfer as long as the valuation meets their valuation! But ban Rooney from the club until that has been arranged.
Or fine Rooney for breach of contract. For issuing that press release and conduct on and off the field. A fine of three months wages would be interesting and play him from the subs bench. But I doubt that the supporters would want that.
They could even sack him today for breach of contract. Yes they would lose the transfer money but if they are the principles club they say they are- and that they have the money for big player buys here is the opportunity to prove it!
Or produce a new major surprise one of the Glazer sons as the replacement for Rooney!
But Rooney does not hold the club to ransom without the club getting the better of him and Stretford!
My money is on Fergie and the club to come away from all this with a big smile on their faces! His statement last night (apart from the cows) was quite brilliant. He has rediscovered his FIRE.
Remember most supporters were surprised when the likes of Giggs, Scholes, the Nevilles and Beckham came into the side...they cost nowt!
Then recall his words last evening. Give a job to a youngster and they surprise you!! Stand by for another batch of youngsters to hit the big time.
While I admit our squad isn't as strong as it once was, Rooney's 'ambition' excuse is plain bollocks. He is a money-grabbing whore and that's all there is to it. The Bursaspor game last night summed up my worst fears- this side just doesn't look like the United sides we're used to seeing over the last two decades- that swagger just seems to have disappeared. And Fergie's stubborn refusal to sign a big name barely helps matters.
ReplyDeleteThe last time my spirits were this low were when Cantona walked out in '97. We managed well enough then. Here's hoping history repeats itself.
Dela,
ReplyDeleteTalk is cheap. If United do not go out and bring in some big name players they will pay a heavy price.
There are no guarantees that we will qualify for the CL next season, not the way we are playing currently, but we should do.
The thing is this though, what Fergie and Gill do not appear to understand (at least publicly) is that Rooney's decision to leave because of his perceived "lack of ambition" can only be dispelled by actions and no amount of talk will convince anyone that Rooney is wrong. Actions speak louder than words in these situations.
And leading on to this what will other big name transfer targets think after hearaing this news? ...and importantly, I predict a big drop in season ticket sales next season if this situation isn't resovled.
This really could be then real beginning of the unravelling of the Glazer regime....here's hoping.
James,
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you think that money is not a motivator for Rooney. Like you say about the Glazers (and which I agree with), talk is cheap. If he comes out of this with a salary higher than 160k per week, he'll show he's been dishonest. Moreover, even Marca, Real Madrid's mouthpiece, is reporting that RM is balking at his salary demands.
Evgenni,
ReplyDeleteIt's just my belief that this is about the club's failure to sign replacements for Ronaldo and Tevez. If United end up as an average Premier League team (again as I can see happening unless there's some serious spending) then Rooney will have been vindicated.
SO yes, the point is, talk is cheap. Further to which, a top agent has been quoted saying this isn't about wages - Rooney could get the same deal at United or City - this about the club's lack of ambition.
Sky have just produced some figures on United's spending since the takeover. Before 2005 the average per season was £9.6m following the takeover is down to £1.9m and United have made a net profit of £18m on transfers in the last five seasons.
ReplyDeleteRooney is going because Gill hasn't been able to convince the player that United will go out and sign top players that would enable UTD to continue competing for the big prizes.
United's glory days are over, that is they are until the Glazers' sell up and get out.
Mr Ryddel.
ReplyDeleteThose figures are quite alarming are they not.
Proof positive that the Glazers' are, indeed, asset strippers.
That said, why is Fergie happy with the situation? Why is Sir Bobby Charlton and all the others? It is all quite puzzling.
If Fergie loves the club, as I am in no doubt he does, why isn't he shouting from the rooftops. He, like Rooney, is not short of money. He could retire tonight and still be very wealthy. So why is this man, who has shown he is not afraid of a fight, complaining?
I have been involved with American businessmen and they are the ultimate smiling assassins. Quite ruthless.
Having seen the documentary on the Glazers' business affairs they will not be pushed out. BUT if people stopped buying tickets, shirts etc. etc. IF revenue started a downward spiral that would be the only way they would consider selling the club.
I would not be surprised to hear that Sir Alex will be buying big in January and at the end of the season.(The same old same old!!)
I did, though, find John Terry, that paragon of virtue, sending out the love messages to Rooney.
Chelsea have a team getting on in years. They do not have strength in depth. I do hope Rooney goes there he will end up crying in his soup!
Time will tell. All very interesting but quite quite sad!
Cash "Strapped",
ReplyDeleteThe points that you have raised are all valid. I have a few theories why Fergie and Bobby "the tout" have failed to speak out against the Glazer regime.
Charlton is of course on the gravy train; he wouldn't want to lose his free seats in the directors box plus all the privileges that come with it would he?
As for Fergie. Well, they must be paying him a lot of money, but I don't know if you saw his rambling interview yesterday, because he listing all the great things about the club: he said the training ground was great, the manager was the right man and that David Gill was an excellent man. However, he neglected to mention the owners...
Did you notice that?
No matter what anyone says from now on, talk is cheap, because I have stated on numerous cccasions it is results that will prove who is right and who is wrong.
Rooney is leaving because he has lost confidence in reference to the club's direction. Those who disagree with this line of action might not see the logic right now, but if United become a mid-table team then Rooney's decision will have been vindicated.
From what I've seen there's no chance of the current crop of young players keeping United at the top.
You are totally correct about the fans': they need to vote with their feet.
Regarding Fergie buying big in January, I must have missed that story, where did you read that?
Regarding your personal experience with US businesses, it sounds like you've been seriously stiffed by our old friends from across the pond. What sort of business was you involved in? You can mail me if you like (click on my name / profile on the page)
Hold on, let's not impute the actions of the Glazers to all 300+ million Americans. I'm an American and work in corporate law. Of course there are Glazer types out there but then there are also Jerry Jones and George Steinbrenner types (owners of the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees, respectively) who were huge fans who took the sports effectively. Saying that American business people are ruthless is like me saying that English oil companies like to spill oil into the ocean: it's a false equivalency.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the money, I would buy the club as a fan and let SAF run it as he deemed fit.
Evgenni,
ReplyDelete"Cash strapped" (I prefer that name) did make something of a sweeping statement about American businessmen: So on this occasion your objection has been upheld by Judge Ryddel.
James,
ReplyDeleteDidn't know you were a priest!
We were all wrong footed with him staying and signing a five year contract.
Could be that United will put him up for sale at the end of the season when they can control the price!
cashstrapped!
Evangii,
ReplyDeleteI must have had dealings with only the bad ones!
One can only base one's opinion's on personal experiences. I certainly stand by what I wrote!
Sweeping, in my case, it certainly was not.
By the way I found your courts a joke as well! Despite great help from former FBI friends!
Hi Strap,
ReplyDeleteI won't disagree with you on your points. It's embarrassing to have the Glazers as a Americans, especially considering how much I care for the club. Some of our courts are bad but others aren't half bad either. I hope you have a more positive experience the next time you deal with Americans.
Well, it looks like the Roonatic will be staying. I like how his ankle injury was caused by Scholes in training. I am sure there was not harm intended...
Evgenni,
ReplyDeleteDO you still think this was about wages? Let's not forget City would have offered him much higher wages..
I don't believe we can read much into the Scholes tackle, because as we've seen all too often he cannot tackle.
I can't say if it was about wages or not, I guess the whole episode lefted me jaded. I hope you are right that it was not about wages but let's see how much the contract ends up being for. If it's above the 160 mark, I will conclude that it played a role in it.
ReplyDelete