Manchester United dominated this match to the extent that I half expected the watching Ricky Hatton to throw in the towel at half time. The first 45 minutes were as good as I have seen United play this season and proved to be a painful reality check for Mark Hughes and Manchester City. A reality check served up by the excellent Wayne Rooney ended a mini drought for United and ended the hopes of the blue half of the Manchester.
Monday morning will bring a harsh reality for Mark Hughes. It will bring fresh concerns for the new owners and will probably bring earache for City fans. Christmas is known for people following the brightest star in the Sky but lets be clear, this is no historical moment here. Newsflash: Robinho is not Manchester City’s messiah. The truth underneath the glamour is: Manchester City now sit below recently promoted Hull and Stoke despite spending like a drunken sailor in a whore filled port.
Manchester City may have beaten Arsenal but they have lost as many as they have won at Eastlands (four games) and they have won only once on the road, whilst losing 4 times. To have lost 8 games out of 15 will not be considered acceptable. Mark Hughes will need to finish in the top 8 to save his job and right now that’s doesn’t look certain. So while the blue half of the City dreams of Kaka and transfer windows, the unrest will continue to build, particularly if players with the talent of Elano are considered to be behind players like Vassell. Hughes has two jobs to do. One in the dressing room and one on the pitch, and I don’t envy him.
As for the Kings of Manchester, you get the sense that this is the beginning of one of their runs. Purpose is being added to technical know-how. The recipe that has benefited the team for so many years under the unrelenting mastery of Sir Alex looks to be happening once again. That’s an ominous sign for others. United are beginning to go through the gears just as City realise that the Premier League allows no one to freewheel…
Monday, December 01, 2008
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Ronaldo: Its business not personal.
The best summer of Manchester United’s recent history has been clouded by the continued speculation over Ronaldo, mostly emanating for Spain.
It is easy to rage against the Real Madrid machine but I have to say its hardly surprising that they are making such a concerted effort to buy one of the best young talents currently gracing football pitches in the world. Why wouldn’t you? To be honest I don’t blame them. I would. It’s business.
The player himself has also angered a lot of Manchester United fans. There is no getting away from it. Ronaldo, as a player, is a marmite player – you know. However, when I have questioned people about their stance it seems to have been based upon blind loyalty. I find this strange, although romantic. Let me explain.
If you work for an organisation and a rival says they are really keen to offer you a job and they will increase your wage by a considerable margin per week and relocate you from England to Spain then, in my book you would be an idiot not to consider it. And you would be an even bigger idiot not to use it as a way of improving your current situation , should you actually want to move or not.
In my opinion this is all that is happening with Ronaldo. He has someone who is happy to offer him a better deal and he is using that to improve his lot. Now before people bleat on about loyalty, they should stop and think about it…loyal to who? Your employer? The fans? Please.
Yes Manchester United have done a lot for Ronaldo but then Ronaldo has never said (ignore the Marca Reports) anything against United either. He has been very careful not to burn his bridges. Ultimately, he has done nothing wrong. People say he should have come out and said he wants to stay. Why? Because it makes us feel better. Yes, conduct is important but as far as I am concerned he has done nothing except look after his career. Ferguson agrees, otherwise there is no way in hell Ronaldo would be allowed to continue at Old Trafford.
So what is the future? Well, it is and always has been very simple. The most talented No 7 in the world will be back playing for Manchester United in 2008/2009. And I can’t wait…
It is easy to rage against the Real Madrid machine but I have to say its hardly surprising that they are making such a concerted effort to buy one of the best young talents currently gracing football pitches in the world. Why wouldn’t you? To be honest I don’t blame them. I would. It’s business.
The player himself has also angered a lot of Manchester United fans. There is no getting away from it. Ronaldo, as a player, is a marmite player – you know. However, when I have questioned people about their stance it seems to have been based upon blind loyalty. I find this strange, although romantic. Let me explain.
If you work for an organisation and a rival says they are really keen to offer you a job and they will increase your wage by a considerable margin per week and relocate you from England to Spain then, in my book you would be an idiot not to consider it. And you would be an even bigger idiot not to use it as a way of improving your current situation , should you actually want to move or not.
In my opinion this is all that is happening with Ronaldo. He has someone who is happy to offer him a better deal and he is using that to improve his lot. Now before people bleat on about loyalty, they should stop and think about it…loyal to who? Your employer? The fans? Please.
Yes Manchester United have done a lot for Ronaldo but then Ronaldo has never said (ignore the Marca Reports) anything against United either. He has been very careful not to burn his bridges. Ultimately, he has done nothing wrong. People say he should have come out and said he wants to stay. Why? Because it makes us feel better. Yes, conduct is important but as far as I am concerned he has done nothing except look after his career. Ferguson agrees, otherwise there is no way in hell Ronaldo would be allowed to continue at Old Trafford.
So what is the future? Well, it is and always has been very simple. The most talented No 7 in the world will be back playing for Manchester United in 2008/2009. And I can’t wait…
Friday, March 28, 2008
The master looks set to compose another triumphant end of season campaign
The magnificence that is Paul Scholes was fully on show during United’s damning drubbing of Liverpool’s Premiership ambitions. The graceful composure and elegant execution of passing was as pretty as it was perfect. It may now be taken somewhat for granted by supporters and pundits alike but it should not be forgotten that this composer of football is at the heart of everything good of even this latest of United sides.
The reality of his impact is not measured by the frequency of mentions by television pundits. For they choose to concentrate on the most obvious sounds of young and ultimately talented musicians rather than the man behind the music. Forgivable as that stance is when the demand for immediate gratification and sensationalism has never been so apparent, it would be a travesty if this small flame haired master of football was not rated as one of the best, if not the best composed and creative midfielders Old Trafford has ever witnessed.
The reality of his impact is not measured by the frequency of mentions by television pundits. For they choose to concentrate on the most obvious sounds of young and ultimately talented musicians rather than the man behind the music. Forgivable as that stance is when the demand for immediate gratification and sensationalism has never been so apparent, it would be a travesty if this small flame haired master of football was not rated as one of the best, if not the best composed and creative midfielders Old Trafford has ever witnessed.
And do not be fooled. This is not an epitaph to an illustrious career, as Paul Scholes shows the signs of being able to continue at this level for at least one more season. However, should he be tempted to call it a day soon, I for one will have noticed that we have been watching one of the most god given talents of his generation. The public focus may be required to be about Ronaldo, Rooney, Anderson, Nani et al but for those of us who simply watch the game for its natural beauty will continue to observe - unless he attempts to tackle someone - that there would be no success without our most treasured number 18.
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