United fans will no doubt have been reflecting on what turned out to be a mixed derby day of emotions. Off the pitch, the Reds had asked the City fans to show respect for the victims of the 1958 Munich air crash and on Sunday it really could not have gone much better. The City fans were even applauded by Ferguson following the minute's silence and the United fans also applauded the visitors when they sang the name of Frank Swift in recognition of their former 'keeper who also perished in the crash.
However, on the pitch United were very poor and they deservedly went on to lose by the odd goal in three. After the game Carlos Quieroz pathetically blamed United's collective torpor on International fixtures (no mention of the recent trip to Saudi - for which the Reds netted a "cool £1m" - how much is a derby day win worth to the fans?) No matter, when you have been as soundly beaten as the Reds were, making excuses didn't make the defeat any easier to swallow.
One of the facts that has been trotted out about City's win is that it is nigh on 34 years since they last won at Old Trafford in the league, with fans often talking about Denis Law's goal in the same fixture in April 1974. The theory goes that the Lawman and City sent United crashing out of the old first division into the abyss that was the old second division. In point of fact, even if United had won that derby game, they would STILL have been relegated due to Birmingham (who were also fighting to stay up) winning.
Like many other Reds I have been reflecting on those intervening 34 years, in which a lot has happened, many fans that I know have had got married (some divorced) and had children, some of those who tied the knot are now grandparents.
Here's a brief overview of a few other things that happened in that lengthy spell:
Relegation:
United: Once: 1973-74
City: four times: 1997-98; 1995-96; 1986-87; 1982-83
Number of managers':
United: Four:
Alex Ferguson 06-11-1986 Present
Ron Atkinson 01-06-1981 06-11-1986
Dave Sexton 14-07-1977 01-04-1981
Tommy Docherty 22-12-1972 03-07-1977
City: 19:
Sven-Goran Eriksson 06-07-2007 Present
Stuart Pearce 11-03-2005 14-05-2007
Kevin Keegan 24-05-2001 11-03-2005
Joe Royle 18-02-1998 21-05-2001
Frank Clark 29-12-1996 17-02-1998
Phil Neal 08-11-1996 29-12-1996
Steve Coppell 06-10-1996 08-11-1996
Alan Ball 02-07-1995 27-08-1996
Brian Horton 28-08-1993 16-05-1995
Tony Book 26-08-1993 28-08-1993
Peter Reid 15-11-1990 26-08-1993
Howard Kendall 06-12-1989 05-11-1990
Mel Machin 01-05-1987 30-11-1989
Jimmy Frizzell 01-10-1986 01-05-1987
Billy McNeill 30-06-1983 22-09-1986
John Benson 03-02-1983 07-06-1983
John Bond 01-10-1980 03-02-1983
Malcolm Allison 16-07-1979 01-10-1980
Tony Book 12-04-1974 01-01-1979
Trophies in the cabinet:
United: 30:
Domestic competition
Premier League: (9) 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07
FA Cup: (8) 1976-77, 1982-83, 1984-85, 1989-90, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99, 2003-04
League Cup: (2) 1991-92, 2005-06
FA Charity/Community Shield: (7) 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007
European competition
UEFA Champions League: (1) 1998-1999
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: (1) 1990-91
Intercontinental Cup: (1) 1999
UEFA Super Cup: (1) 1991-92
City: Three:
League Cup 1976, Old second division 2002; play-off final 1999
Number of players who were born prior to 1974:
United: Three:
Giggs, Scholes, Van der Sar
City:
Hamann
General facts since 1974
The FIFA World Cup has been won eight times since 1974. The UK has had five different Prime Ministers'. The Space Shuttle program was launched in the intervening years. The Vatican has been led by four different Popes'. The Queen celebrated her silver and gold jubilees'. In 1974 we were still in the middle of the Cold War and mired in desperate conflict in Northern Ireland, fortunately those are things of the past. However, since then we've been involved in conflicts in the Falklands and two Gulf Wars. We also saw the demise of National & International treasures such as Arthur Askey, Benny Hill, Princess Di, Saddam Hussain and Elvis.
All in all United fans haven't had it so bad and many will be hoping that the Reds make it another 34 years until the next home defeat against City.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
City take points as sorry United fail to show up for derby..
Prior to today's Old Trafford derby with neighbours Man City most of the talk leading up to this game centered on whether or not the visiting fans would observe the minute silence in memory of the 23 people who lost their lives in the 1958 Munich air crash. February 6th is a date that is etched into the memory of all United fans and this week it was the 50th anniversary of that fateful day. The fear was the a few mindless idiots would spoil the day, thankfully those fears were unfounded as both United and City fans were impeccable when asked to remain silent for 60 seconds prior to the derby kick-off.
It was a great start to today's game, but from a Red perspective it went downhill from that point onwards as too many United players failed to show up for what is always one of the most important fixtures of the season.
City hadn't won in the league at Old Trafford since 1974, but today they ended that run with a well earned victory courtesy of first half goals by Vassell and new boy Benjami.
United had started the game brightly enough by attacking the visitors who were penned into their own half, however, as early as ten minutes into the game things started to go wrong for United as Ronaldo uncharacteristically took his eye off the ball to allow it to run out of play, which ironically turned out to be something a metaphor to describe the Reds all-round sloppy performance.
While the Reds may well have had the better of things early doors they could not open up the City defence. They were not helped by Referee Howard Webb, who failed to spot defender Micah Richards blatant handball just outside the City penalty area, in doing so he denied Ronaldo possession. A few minutes later Ronaldo was brought down inside the visitors’ penalty area, but again Web gave the benefit of doubt to City.
On twenty four minutes City rocked United when a swift counter attack, which led to Vassell giving his team the lead. It took the former Villa striker two attempts to score after Van der Sar had initially saved, but the man who made the goal was Petrov and he went on to be arguably the man of the match. When Ferguson reviews the tape of this game he will want to know why United failed to deal with City's counter attacks and he will also want to know where his midfield players were.
On 44 minutes things got a whole lot worse for the Red Devils and once again Petrov was the man who played a huge part in unraveling United who failed to deal effectively with a succession of City corners, eventually the ball fell to Petrov and his wicked cross found the head of new City striker Benjami who gave Van der Sar no chance with his flicked header. There was no argument; the visitors deserved their two-nil lead as United looked shadows of their usual selves.
If United fans were expecting a second-half revival, then they will have been hugely disappointed as it simply did not happen and once again the visitors looked the more dangerous on the counter-attack.
Not unexpectedly Ferguson tried to change things around with the introduction of Park for the totally ineffective Nani, who was little more than a passenger. It would be totally unfair to lay the blame at the feet of just one player, as collectively the Reds were playing with neither passion nor desire.
It has to said that the United players were not being helped by the Old Trafford crowd who did little to lift the team who were clearly having a very off day. Nor could Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, both veterans of many local derby games, but today like the Old Trafford crowd they were too quiet, especially in the second half.
Having replaced Anderson and John O'Shea for Hargreaves and Carrick respectively the Reds finally opened up a rock solid City defence deep into injury time when Carrick finished off United's only real goal scoring chance of the game after superb inter-play by Scholes.
United will be glad that this week is behind them, off the field it has been a time to remember the events of 50 years ago in Munich, while on the pitch it was been a week to forget following two poor performances on the bounce.
There's been talk that too much has happened by way of distractions on the lead up to the 50th anniversary of the disaster, and if you're looking for excuses do not forget that Reds had that somewhat controversial jaunt to Saudi Arabia prior to the Spurs game last weekend. I don't personally buy either theory, but I do question Fergie's assertion that we do not need another striker. Today when we needed to change it around up front with United looking toothless, there was no options on the bench - how can one of the biggest clubs in the world have no reserve striker?
Rooney was of course out suspended as was Evra following a succession of bookings, let us hope that the former Everton striker doesn't make the same mistake as he did last weekend when getting himself yellow carded cheaply - United paid a very high price for that indiscretion today.
It was a great start to today's game, but from a Red perspective it went downhill from that point onwards as too many United players failed to show up for what is always one of the most important fixtures of the season.
City hadn't won in the league at Old Trafford since 1974, but today they ended that run with a well earned victory courtesy of first half goals by Vassell and new boy Benjami.
United had started the game brightly enough by attacking the visitors who were penned into their own half, however, as early as ten minutes into the game things started to go wrong for United as Ronaldo uncharacteristically took his eye off the ball to allow it to run out of play, which ironically turned out to be something a metaphor to describe the Reds all-round sloppy performance.
While the Reds may well have had the better of things early doors they could not open up the City defence. They were not helped by Referee Howard Webb, who failed to spot defender Micah Richards blatant handball just outside the City penalty area, in doing so he denied Ronaldo possession. A few minutes later Ronaldo was brought down inside the visitors’ penalty area, but again Web gave the benefit of doubt to City.
On twenty four minutes City rocked United when a swift counter attack, which led to Vassell giving his team the lead. It took the former Villa striker two attempts to score after Van der Sar had initially saved, but the man who made the goal was Petrov and he went on to be arguably the man of the match. When Ferguson reviews the tape of this game he will want to know why United failed to deal with City's counter attacks and he will also want to know where his midfield players were.
On 44 minutes things got a whole lot worse for the Red Devils and once again Petrov was the man who played a huge part in unraveling United who failed to deal effectively with a succession of City corners, eventually the ball fell to Petrov and his wicked cross found the head of new City striker Benjami who gave Van der Sar no chance with his flicked header. There was no argument; the visitors deserved their two-nil lead as United looked shadows of their usual selves.
If United fans were expecting a second-half revival, then they will have been hugely disappointed as it simply did not happen and once again the visitors looked the more dangerous on the counter-attack.
Not unexpectedly Ferguson tried to change things around with the introduction of Park for the totally ineffective Nani, who was little more than a passenger. It would be totally unfair to lay the blame at the feet of just one player, as collectively the Reds were playing with neither passion nor desire.
It has to said that the United players were not being helped by the Old Trafford crowd who did little to lift the team who were clearly having a very off day. Nor could Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, both veterans of many local derby games, but today like the Old Trafford crowd they were too quiet, especially in the second half.
Having replaced Anderson and John O'Shea for Hargreaves and Carrick respectively the Reds finally opened up a rock solid City defence deep into injury time when Carrick finished off United's only real goal scoring chance of the game after superb inter-play by Scholes.
United will be glad that this week is behind them, off the field it has been a time to remember the events of 50 years ago in Munich, while on the pitch it was been a week to forget following two poor performances on the bounce.
There's been talk that too much has happened by way of distractions on the lead up to the 50th anniversary of the disaster, and if you're looking for excuses do not forget that Reds had that somewhat controversial jaunt to Saudi Arabia prior to the Spurs game last weekend. I don't personally buy either theory, but I do question Fergie's assertion that we do not need another striker. Today when we needed to change it around up front with United looking toothless, there was no options on the bench - how can one of the biggest clubs in the world have no reserve striker?
Rooney was of course out suspended as was Evra following a succession of bookings, let us hope that the former Everton striker doesn't make the same mistake as he did last weekend when getting himself yellow carded cheaply - United paid a very high price for that indiscretion today.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Capello: "I am not the Messiah and I will not put up with naughty boys"...
Another series of the long running comedy soap opera that is England gets under way tonight under the stewardship of Italian manager Fabio Capello when the Three Lions face Switzerland at Wembley for a friendly.
As ever there's been a lot talk about the new manager prior to his first game in charge. At his first pre-match press-conference yesterday the Italian managed to a utter a few encouraging words of English, but for the most part he spoke in his native language. No surprises there. Still it was a good start even if it only amounted to a 'thank you' and 'yes, I understand that'.
However, it has hasn't taken Fabio long to point out he doesn't have a lot of choice in terms of numbers, and no doubting to the huge embarrassment of his employers he was quick to remind the FA that only 38% of players' playing in the Premier League are English. It's a bit early to go looking for excuses isn't it?
Next, Capello revealed that he is not the Messiah. Hasn't anyone told him that he's working for Newcastle? Our new man at the helm then went to confirm that he cannot work miracles. Another setback for the FA then given his the Italian’s huge salary?
So what of Capello's methods, if he's not the Messiah and he's not a miracle worker, how will he turn this bunch serial-losers into winners? For starters, he's putting the block on post-training rounds of golf and he calls everyone by their surname.
Capello has a reputation for being a hard-man and he's wasted no time in letting everyone know that he's a hard task-master, winning is the only that matters and rules will be obeyed.
You wonder how the Italian will manage the English press, how long will his honeymoon period last? How long before we hear talk of the first murmurings of discontent with the England squad?
Tonight's match with Switzerland should be mildly interesting and if you fancy having a punt on this you can benefit from a free £25 bet courtesy of
Betfair
As ever there's been a lot talk about the new manager prior to his first game in charge. At his first pre-match press-conference yesterday the Italian managed to a utter a few encouraging words of English, but for the most part he spoke in his native language. No surprises there. Still it was a good start even if it only amounted to a 'thank you' and 'yes, I understand that'.
However, it has hasn't taken Fabio long to point out he doesn't have a lot of choice in terms of numbers, and no doubting to the huge embarrassment of his employers he was quick to remind the FA that only 38% of players' playing in the Premier League are English. It's a bit early to go looking for excuses isn't it?
Next, Capello revealed that he is not the Messiah. Hasn't anyone told him that he's working for Newcastle? Our new man at the helm then went to confirm that he cannot work miracles. Another setback for the FA then given his the Italian’s huge salary?
So what of Capello's methods, if he's not the Messiah and he's not a miracle worker, how will he turn this bunch serial-losers into winners? For starters, he's putting the block on post-training rounds of golf and he calls everyone by their surname.
Capello has a reputation for being a hard-man and he's wasted no time in letting everyone know that he's a hard task-master, winning is the only that matters and rules will be obeyed.
You wonder how the Italian will manage the English press, how long will his honeymoon period last? How long before we hear talk of the first murmurings of discontent with the England squad?
Tonight's match with Switzerland should be mildly interesting and if you fancy having a punt on this you can benefit from a free £25 bet courtesy of
Betfair
Monday, February 04, 2008
The rise and rise of Munucho and African football...
United fans will no doubt be drooling at the prospect of Manucho turning out for the Reds after watching the Angolan striker score some wonderful goals at the finals of the African Cup of Nations. Sadly, Angola were eliminated today when losing somewhat controversially to Egypt by the goal in three. However, Manucho scored another belting goal which further enhanced his growing reputation.
Make no mistake, Manucho's performances have announced his arrival on the world stage at the finals in Ghana. Manchester United have a well earned reputation for spending big and not always with prudence, but the capture of Manucho prior to the Cup of Nations getting under way was a very smart move indeed.
Fans around the world will have been tuning in to watch the finals on TV and those who have cannot fail to have been impressed at the vast improvements in technical ability. It wasn't that long ago that Pele, arguably the world's greatest ever player, was ridiculed for saying that an African team would win the World Cup within the next 20 years. The prediction could become a reality at the next World Cup in 2010 when South Africa host the tournament.
In particular the Ivory Coast look to have a fantastic team, with players like Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Kalou, plus Arsenal's Kolo Touré and Emmanuel Eboué. African players have down the years been noted for their great physical strength, but not always for the technical side of their game, but that's all changed and many of the Nations in action in Ghana have been exhibiting power, pace and technical passing skills.
Ironically, while African football seems to be very much on the way up in terms of improvements, the rest of the football world has to a degree stagnated. The last truly great World Cup finals was back in Spain '82, when Italy went on to win the final. For many fans though, the most exciting team that year was Brazil with players like Zico, Socrates and Falco wowing the football world with their fabulous goals and skills.
For me, the next World Cup in South Africa has the potential to be the best since '82largely because of the pace of improvement within the African Nations.
Make no mistake, Manucho's performances have announced his arrival on the world stage at the finals in Ghana. Manchester United have a well earned reputation for spending big and not always with prudence, but the capture of Manucho prior to the Cup of Nations getting under way was a very smart move indeed.
Fans around the world will have been tuning in to watch the finals on TV and those who have cannot fail to have been impressed at the vast improvements in technical ability. It wasn't that long ago that Pele, arguably the world's greatest ever player, was ridiculed for saying that an African team would win the World Cup within the next 20 years. The prediction could become a reality at the next World Cup in 2010 when South Africa host the tournament.
In particular the Ivory Coast look to have a fantastic team, with players like Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Kalou, plus Arsenal's Kolo Touré and Emmanuel Eboué. African players have down the years been noted for their great physical strength, but not always for the technical side of their game, but that's all changed and many of the Nations in action in Ghana have been exhibiting power, pace and technical passing skills.
Ironically, while African football seems to be very much on the way up in terms of improvements, the rest of the football world has to a degree stagnated. The last truly great World Cup finals was back in Spain '82, when Italy went on to win the final. For many fans though, the most exciting team that year was Brazil with players like Zico, Socrates and Falco wowing the football world with their fabulous goals and skills.
For me, the next World Cup in South Africa has the potential to be the best since '82largely because of the pace of improvement within the African Nations.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Berbatov shines as Ferguson gets his tactics wrong...
The chances of Berbatov arriving at Old Trafford next summer must have been somewhat enhanced following his excellent performance against the Red Devils at White Hart Lane on Saturday in a game that United were lucky to come away with a point.
Spurs Bulgarian striker had struck on the 20 minute mark following a swift counter-attack by the North London side. The home team opened the scoring after Edwin Van der Sar had parried a Lennon cross to the feet of Berbatov who made no mistake with a clinical finish.
There wasn't much sign of a response from the visitors as too many players were having off days. Ronaldo wasn't shining, Giggs was being occasionally wasteful and Scholes was having little impact in the United engine room alongside Owen Hargreaves. Worse still, Spurs were hitting United on the counter attack, this was the general pattern of a poor first-half from a Red perspective. The home team could easily have gone two-nil up if Keane hadn't spurned a golden goal scoring chance, once again Berbatov was involved in the build up.
Ferguson should have started the game with Hargreaves and Anderson in midfield, while Scholes looks to be in good nick following a long injury-lay off, but he simply cannot match the work-rate and industry of Anderson in a two man midfield. The United manager compounded his starting selection error when replacing Hargreaves for Carrick - who also went on to be too wasteful when in possession of the ball.
To make matters a whole lot worse, Wayne Rooney was rightly booked for an outrageous dive which means he will miss the Manchester derby. Rooney worked tirelessly throughout this game and deserves much credit for that, but his booking was the only thing he had to show from this game and it remains to be seen what price the Reds will pay when they face the bitter blues.
The penny finally dropped with Ferguson and he introduced Anderson in the second half when he replaced Giggs and Scholes for Nani and the former Porto star respectively. From then on it was pretty much one way traffic with United mounting raid after raid without managing to open up the Spurs defence, though Anderson had the Spurs stopper scrambling to save a raking low drive that whistled just beyond his far post and Tevez was unlucky with a whipped header.
Then against the odds and deep into injury time Tevez and Dawson contrived to score between them from a corner to give the Reds a highly unlikely and what could turn out to be priceless point.
Sooner or later Fergie is going realise that he cannot keep on leaving out Anderson for Scholes, but until that time comes the Reds are likely to struggle - especially away from home.
Man of the match for United: Carlos Tevez, worked very hard throughout and looked sharper than any of the Reds attacking players.
Spurs Bulgarian striker had struck on the 20 minute mark following a swift counter-attack by the North London side. The home team opened the scoring after Edwin Van der Sar had parried a Lennon cross to the feet of Berbatov who made no mistake with a clinical finish.
There wasn't much sign of a response from the visitors as too many players were having off days. Ronaldo wasn't shining, Giggs was being occasionally wasteful and Scholes was having little impact in the United engine room alongside Owen Hargreaves. Worse still, Spurs were hitting United on the counter attack, this was the general pattern of a poor first-half from a Red perspective. The home team could easily have gone two-nil up if Keane hadn't spurned a golden goal scoring chance, once again Berbatov was involved in the build up.
Ferguson should have started the game with Hargreaves and Anderson in midfield, while Scholes looks to be in good nick following a long injury-lay off, but he simply cannot match the work-rate and industry of Anderson in a two man midfield. The United manager compounded his starting selection error when replacing Hargreaves for Carrick - who also went on to be too wasteful when in possession of the ball.
To make matters a whole lot worse, Wayne Rooney was rightly booked for an outrageous dive which means he will miss the Manchester derby. Rooney worked tirelessly throughout this game and deserves much credit for that, but his booking was the only thing he had to show from this game and it remains to be seen what price the Reds will pay when they face the bitter blues.
The penny finally dropped with Ferguson and he introduced Anderson in the second half when he replaced Giggs and Scholes for Nani and the former Porto star respectively. From then on it was pretty much one way traffic with United mounting raid after raid without managing to open up the Spurs defence, though Anderson had the Spurs stopper scrambling to save a raking low drive that whistled just beyond his far post and Tevez was unlucky with a whipped header.
Then against the odds and deep into injury time Tevez and Dawson contrived to score between them from a corner to give the Reds a highly unlikely and what could turn out to be priceless point.
Sooner or later Fergie is going realise that he cannot keep on leaving out Anderson for Scholes, but until that time comes the Reds are likely to struggle - especially away from home.
Man of the match for United: Carlos Tevez, worked very hard throughout and looked sharper than any of the Reds attacking players.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Adebayor knocks a few million off Richards price tag...
Arsenal regained top-spot of the Premier League by inflicting the first home defeat of the season on Manchester City as Wenger's team completed a comfortable 3-1 victory.
One of the main talking points of the season so far is who will finish top goal-scorer, with Ronaldo and Adebayor fighting out a seemingly two-horse race to the finish. The Arsenal striker notched a well taken brace against City today taking his tally for the season to 18 in the league, which leaves the Togo striker just one behind Ronaldo.
For any United fans and neutrals watching this game, it represented another chance to check-out the Arsenal and City who take on the Red Devils next, it was also an opportunity to watch the much talked about Micah Richards who made a timely return from an injury absence to face the Gunners.
There has been an awful lot of talk and speculation about Richards, who has been stalling on signing a contract extension. If that deal is not signed then no doubting Richards will be sold in the summer, probably to Chelsea. As for Richards performance against Arsenal, in boxing parlance he was unable to lay a glove on Adebayor who gave the defender a torrid time.
Richards is young and he is talented, but when he's come up against Didier Drogba and Adebayor this season he has been found badly wanting. The young City defender did not live up to his star billing or the hype today as Arsenal's top-scorer put in a performance that potentially knocked a few million off his price tag.
One of the main talking points of the season so far is who will finish top goal-scorer, with Ronaldo and Adebayor fighting out a seemingly two-horse race to the finish. The Arsenal striker notched a well taken brace against City today taking his tally for the season to 18 in the league, which leaves the Togo striker just one behind Ronaldo.
For any United fans and neutrals watching this game, it represented another chance to check-out the Arsenal and City who take on the Red Devils next, it was also an opportunity to watch the much talked about Micah Richards who made a timely return from an injury absence to face the Gunners.
There has been an awful lot of talk and speculation about Richards, who has been stalling on signing a contract extension. If that deal is not signed then no doubting Richards will be sold in the summer, probably to Chelsea. As for Richards performance against Arsenal, in boxing parlance he was unable to lay a glove on Adebayor who gave the defender a torrid time.
Richards is young and he is talented, but when he's come up against Didier Drogba and Adebayor this season he has been found badly wanting. The young City defender did not live up to his star billing or the hype today as Arsenal's top-scorer put in a performance that potentially knocked a few million off his price tag.
Liverpool fans takeover hopes doomed to failure?...
Though many United fans wouldn't like to admit it we have a lot in common with our 'friends' from the wrong end of the East Lancs Road. Supporters of both United and Liverpool have seen ownership of their respective clubs change over the last few years, which has led to massive price increases for many cash-strapped fans of the Red Devils.
At Old Trafford, there was a lot of opposition to the Glazer family takeover, largely because fundamentally the Glazers' could not afford to buy the club without putting the long-term well-being of United in danger due to the level of massive borrowing. The Glazers' still find themselves running cover whenever they sneak back to Manchester, they know that there remains strong opposition to their occupation of Old Trafford.
While on the field matters are admittedly going better than anyone dared hope post the Glazers' takeover, the potential long-term damage to the club remains the subject of healthy debate.
In stark contrast at Liverpool followers of the Anfield club collectively rolled over like a tail wagging dog at the news of the Hicks and Gillett takeover, which was somewhat surprising given the nature of the city's militant history.
Now we hear that Liverpool fans are planning to mount their own takeover of their club, with talk that supporters plan to raise £500m. The plan centres on a Barcelona style regime where the fans effectively own the club. Rogan Taylor, a well known Liverpool fan and a lecturer at Liverpool University outlined the big idea to a gathering of journalists earlier this week. While Taylor's presentation was as impassioned as it was impressive, it had the hallmarks of a Mike Basset press conference with journalists smirking as this lecturer from a business school talked about 100,000 fans raising £5,000 each.
£5,000 each - are you having a laugh?
For their part, United fans are battle hardened where the subject of takeovers are concerned and they are collectively far more organised than Liverpool supporters, but even with 30,000 members of MUST (formerly Shareholders United) the United supporters Trust and fans groups were collectively powerless in their efforts to stop the Glazers'.
I do not know what the actual debt situation is at Anfield, but it is nowhere near the level at United, still the Liverpool fans hopes of raising £500m while laudable is surely doomed to failure. Barcelona and none of big clubs on the continent where the fans have effective control ever had to mount a takeover of this nature with the massive cash injection requirement, Rogan Taylor failed to address this central point. Some United fans have suggested to me that Liverpool fans are indeed the most deluded of all after hearing this news. Still, it is better to have tried and failed rather than do nothing which is precisely what happened prior to Hicks and Gillet exerting a metaphorical Boston strangle-hold over their beloved club.
There has been talk that a website commissioned with a view to accepting pledges from Liverpool fans has fallen over, I actually hope this is true and that they are successful in their objective. Sadly, I believe that Taylor and his acolytes are about to discover exactly how apathetic vast swathes of their Lemming like fans really are, which is precisely what happened at United.
The best hope of resting control of Liverpool rests with DIC or another wealthy consortium.
At Old Trafford, there was a lot of opposition to the Glazer family takeover, largely because fundamentally the Glazers' could not afford to buy the club without putting the long-term well-being of United in danger due to the level of massive borrowing. The Glazers' still find themselves running cover whenever they sneak back to Manchester, they know that there remains strong opposition to their occupation of Old Trafford.
While on the field matters are admittedly going better than anyone dared hope post the Glazers' takeover, the potential long-term damage to the club remains the subject of healthy debate.
In stark contrast at Liverpool followers of the Anfield club collectively rolled over like a tail wagging dog at the news of the Hicks and Gillett takeover, which was somewhat surprising given the nature of the city's militant history.
Now we hear that Liverpool fans are planning to mount their own takeover of their club, with talk that supporters plan to raise £500m. The plan centres on a Barcelona style regime where the fans effectively own the club. Rogan Taylor, a well known Liverpool fan and a lecturer at Liverpool University outlined the big idea to a gathering of journalists earlier this week. While Taylor's presentation was as impassioned as it was impressive, it had the hallmarks of a Mike Basset press conference with journalists smirking as this lecturer from a business school talked about 100,000 fans raising £5,000 each.
£5,000 each - are you having a laugh?
For their part, United fans are battle hardened where the subject of takeovers are concerned and they are collectively far more organised than Liverpool supporters, but even with 30,000 members of MUST (formerly Shareholders United) the United supporters Trust and fans groups were collectively powerless in their efforts to stop the Glazers'.
I do not know what the actual debt situation is at Anfield, but it is nowhere near the level at United, still the Liverpool fans hopes of raising £500m while laudable is surely doomed to failure. Barcelona and none of big clubs on the continent where the fans have effective control ever had to mount a takeover of this nature with the massive cash injection requirement, Rogan Taylor failed to address this central point. Some United fans have suggested to me that Liverpool fans are indeed the most deluded of all after hearing this news. Still, it is better to have tried and failed rather than do nothing which is precisely what happened prior to Hicks and Gillet exerting a metaphorical Boston strangle-hold over their beloved club.
There has been talk that a website commissioned with a view to accepting pledges from Liverpool fans has fallen over, I actually hope this is true and that they are successful in their objective. Sadly, I believe that Taylor and his acolytes are about to discover exactly how apathetic vast swathes of their Lemming like fans really are, which is precisely what happened at United.
The best hope of resting control of Liverpool rests with DIC or another wealthy consortium.
Spurs v United preview: Why Anderson must start...
United face a much improved Tottenham later today at White Lane and no doubting the North London club will be hoping to avenge last weekend's 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford in a game in which Spurs gave a good account of themselves.
In midweek Ronaldo knocked in his second brace of the week against Portsmouth, last weekend Spurs were the victims as the Portuguese star made it 25 goals for the season. Can anyone stop Ronaldo scoring? United's other scorer against Spurs was the Apache, AKA Tevez, and Ferguson is expected to bring back Carlos Tevez who was rested against Pompey. With the return of Paul Scholes last weekend, the battle for starting places got a whole lot harder in the United engine room and Tevez will be keen to send out a message to Fergie today that he doesn't want to be the man who makes way for the returning Ginger Prince.
Competition for places is a good thing and Anderson who has been on the bench for United's last two home games did more than enough in the second-half when coming on against Pompey to warrant a starting place today. Despite only playing for 30 minutes in midweek the former Porto star was a strong contender for the man of the match award.
Ferguson will have a difficult job keeping everyone happy with so many midfield stars, but to achieve that the manager has to be seen to be fair where selection issues are concerned.
In 1999 Ferguson steered United to an unprecedented treble, in doing so he just about managed to keep all of his players happy, the crowning glory was of course the season's two super-subs Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham scoring in the Champions League final at the Nou Camp. Reds fans are once again thinking about another treble this season.
However, when players perform well as did Anderson in midweek, it is vital for morale that they are rewarded and as far as I'm concerned this is why Fergie must start with Anderson today in central midfield.
In midweek Ronaldo knocked in his second brace of the week against Portsmouth, last weekend Spurs were the victims as the Portuguese star made it 25 goals for the season. Can anyone stop Ronaldo scoring? United's other scorer against Spurs was the Apache, AKA Tevez, and Ferguson is expected to bring back Carlos Tevez who was rested against Pompey. With the return of Paul Scholes last weekend, the battle for starting places got a whole lot harder in the United engine room and Tevez will be keen to send out a message to Fergie today that he doesn't want to be the man who makes way for the returning Ginger Prince.
Competition for places is a good thing and Anderson who has been on the bench for United's last two home games did more than enough in the second-half when coming on against Pompey to warrant a starting place today. Despite only playing for 30 minutes in midweek the former Porto star was a strong contender for the man of the match award.
Ferguson will have a difficult job keeping everyone happy with so many midfield stars, but to achieve that the manager has to be seen to be fair where selection issues are concerned.
In 1999 Ferguson steered United to an unprecedented treble, in doing so he just about managed to keep all of his players happy, the crowning glory was of course the season's two super-subs Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham scoring in the Champions League final at the Nou Camp. Reds fans are once again thinking about another treble this season.
However, when players perform well as did Anderson in midweek, it is vital for morale that they are rewarded and as far as I'm concerned this is why Fergie must start with Anderson today in central midfield.
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