The Manchester United Almanac

This Weeks Book Review:
The Official Manchester United Almanac
Written by: John D. T. White Foreward by: Sir Alex Ferguson CBE

You've worn the shirt, you've witnessed the drama and
now it's time to uncover the great legacy that lies
behind Manchester United.

In the new and revised Manchester United
biographic dedicated to the past leg-
ends of the club, John D.T white serves up his
latest instalment

'The Official Manchester United Almanac'

with a comprehensive overview of the reds
ground breaking success both in Euro-
pean and domestic competition. In his fifth
book about United, this offers an in depth
look at the players, movers and shakers
down the years whose skills have
graced the Old Trafford turf.

Foreworded by Sir Alex Ferguson himself,
this book offers those who truly bleed
red the ultimate United experience to
feel a part of the club's illustrious history
with a look at the winning philosophy
adopted by legendary manager Sir Matt
Busby that moulded the club's youth
academy and became the pillar of their
success, marking a club tradition and
identity still upheld today.

Whether it's Norman Whiteside making
history in an FA Cup final or King Eric's poetic
justice of the mid 1990's, Reds fanatics
are sure to be overwhelmed by this chrono-
logical account of events which is tracked
over twelve calendar months. This timeless
documentation of all there is to know
about United will please all readers as White
blends past and present events to underpin
the Old Trafford club's unchanging identity
without limiting its genius to 'beginning'
and 'end' as most club biographies do.

Undoubtedly the book touches on the
most pivotal moments which shaped the club's
legacy - from their formation as a Newton
Heath FC to the euphoria of their first ever
English league triumph, which would set
a precedent for future success. It also feat-
ures a moving account of the victims of
the Munich air disaster on February 6 1958
to which the book is dedicated.

However, the downside to this book is
the absence of Manchester United's Champions
League final triumph in May 2008. The
climatic end to a hard fought race with arch rivals
Chelsea for an unprecedented double,
which came to the boil in a scintillating encounter
in Moscow. The game which ended in an
epic penalty shoot victory for United was arg-
uably the most poigniant tribute to the
Bubsy babes on the 50th anniversary year of the
disaster, but is not included here.

Regardless of the books notable misgivings,
it is packed with a glossary of handy club
trivia for those stato's looking to brush up
on their club knowledge as its comprehensive
delivery of club facts and accounts bridges
the gap between fan and club.

This is the ultimate club bible every Red
across the globe has been anticipating for the
last 10 years and will teach you all you
ever wanted to know about managers, players
and the history of Manchester United.
Its infectious display of football history makes
an attractive read both for neutral and avid
United fans and is sure to leave you hooked,
dare I say a converted Red as you uncover
the phenomenon which is United with the
turning of every page.


;">


Back To Home Page...

Burnley In Chase For Manchester United Defender

Manchester United's Scottish full back David Gray is wanted by Burnley boss Owen Coyle.

Gray was born on 4 May 1988 in Edinburgh. He came up through the ranks at Hearts until he was sixteen and was then signed by Manchester United for £50,000. He has also had a spell with Crewe Alexandra. Gray has also been a part of the Scotland Under-21 squad.

Two years ago Gray broke into the reserve team, being used mainly at right-back, coming from the bench. On 25 October 2006, Gray made his debut for the senior team in a League Cup match against Crewe Alexandra. He started the game at right-back, but late in the second half, he was substituted for Kieran Lee who went on to score the winning goal in extra time.

In January 2007, he was sent on loan to Royal Antwerp, who are a 'feeder' club for Manchester United, hence a lot of our reserves and youngsters end up with a Dutch spell in their United career. However, after just two games, he suffered an injury which sidelined him for the rest of the season. In November 2007, he again went on loan, this time to Crewe Alexandra for a month, as cover for the club's injured players.....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Take The Honours As Rooney Notches Up His Ton

A couple of years ago Manchester City launched an advertising campaign that claimed: ‘This is Our City'. Well I got news for them, no it isn't.

Any Manchester City supporters who were thinking of their new found wealth and how they can compete on an even playing field with United can forget it. At least in the short term it wont be happening. This game just highlighted the gulf between the two teams.

Manchester United are the real thing, the finished article, Champions of England and Champions of Europe and City are "under construction" so to speak.

City were simply out played and players such as Rooney, Carrick, Da Silva and Fletcher stood out but my man of the match was Ji-Sung Park, or 'Three Lung Park' as he is affectionately known. How that guy can cover so much ground and just never give up is remarkable. It was the efforts of Ji-Sung Park that actually lead to the goal.

He was chasing around the 18 yard box for the ball, snapping at the ankles of the City players and eventually he got the ball and passed it wide to Carrick who shot across goal and Rooney fired in the rebound from Jo Hart's save. This was Rooney's 100th club goal and the game was the 150th Manchester derby.

Park never gets much praise but he is a great squad player and today his effort and work rate were second to none.

As for City's superstars Robinho and Micah Richards, did they actually play, I didn't notice.

The Ronaldo sending off will remain a mystery to me. He ran in to try and connect with Rooney's corner, he was at least 3 feet higher than any other player with a clear header on goal and he parried the ball away with his hands. Why would he do that ?

When the dust settled, though, United’s win was undeniably just.

For now, at least, United remain - in Rooney’s words - the "Kings of Manchester".

Back To Home Page...

A follow on from my Peasant's Revolt post.

So I'm thinking of a country that was divided across borders and by ethnic identity and income and lifestyle. That might sound very different to Thailand but if we think carefully, is it really so different?

One group felt oppressed and ignored by the government. They pressured a nationalist politician who sympathised with their cause. He organised rallies to intimidate other factions. On one occasion he organised a huge rally to make demands for his group. The rally stopped outside the president's office (Government House) where the nationalist politician told the president: "Give us what we want or address this group yourself!". In other words: "Hands up or this lynch mob will be set on you!".

A smaller state in the nation published magazine articles criticising the group. The group responded by organising a "Rally of Truth" to intimidate the small state and its people. It wasn't too hard for them to do that, because by then the military were clearly on their side.

Another state elected their own prime minister, but amazingly he was rejected by the police force in the region who had already decided they sided with the nationalist politician in our story. The police helped to whip up a rebellion against their own regional prime minister.

The nationalist politician decided to go about amending the constitution to crush critical press and remove regional assemblies (so that he would have more power). His followers became increasingly violent and bigoted. They often organised rallies under various guises and through proxies. Each side began to viciously ridicule and mock other sides, often with dangerous propaganda.

It descended into a bloody and miserable war that lasted until NATO intervened.

It is a recent event that has many similar elements to the Thai situation: misplaced nationalism, resentment amongst citizens based on income, ethnicity and values, factional squabbles and politicisation of the military and police. However, there are differences. Thailand is a long established country and has the guiding light of a monarch, something the nation I refer to lacked.

Ian knows what I am talking about, he met the founding father of this republic.
Can anyone else tell name the nation and people involved in my tale?

Manchester United WILL Lose Carlos Tevez In January

Well that is to say, Manchester United will lose Carlos Tevez in January if you believe everything Real Madrid say. According to them, Tevez is Spain bound because United have delayed for so long over his permanent signing.

Madrid failed miserably in their attempt to lure Cristiano Ronaldo during the summer and now seem to think they can get Carlos Tevez to join them. I guess with the injury to Ruud Van Nistelrooy they are desperate for a striker now. I'm baffled as to why they don't follow the traditional route in their transfer dealings. That is to say, call the manager of the player you are interested in and then see if you can strike a deal. Using Marca and other half baked newspapers to do your dirty work and alenating everyone seems pathetic to me.

They'd like to see a deal done in the January transfer window, but as United have him on a 2 season loan deal, he's just not available to them. Unless of course they show some good manners and call Fergie, eat some humble pie and realise they are just a club from Spain to us.

Tevez is understandably a bit upset he has started so many games on the bench and now Real have seized the opportunity and are confident of signing him. The part of this rumour was the fact they said it was "In a complicated arrangement with MSI, who own the economic rights of the player". What on earth that is supposed to mean is beyond me and just makes Real look foolish in their games., United have paid a total of £6 million to loan him for two seasons. They would then have to part with a further £26 million to buy him outright. Talks about sealing the permanent deal have been put off and then put off some more and I feel Tevez is resigned to a move. In my mind £26m is just too much, that kind of cash will buy Karim Benzema. Add to this the fact Fergie has been talking about the buy back clause for Giuseppe Rossi as well as bringing Fraizer Campbell back from Spurs along with the recent signing of Zoran Tosic, I think the writing is on the wall for Tevez here......Back To Home Page...

Fergie 'v' Wenger Round 196

Fergie and Arsene Wenger are at it again. The Manchester United manager has said Arsenal are a club in disarray after William Gallas had his out burst, followed by The Arse getting kicked 3-0 by Al-City. Naturally Wenger is having none of that from Fergie, though by now I would have thought he would be used to it.

Fergie, who is preparing his side to face City this weekend, believes title rivals Arsenal are not currently in good shape and that City caught them on a good day last week.

"Maybe City got Arsenal on the right day last Saturday because there seems to be a lot of disarray in the Arsenal camp with the carry-on with one of their players," said Ferguson. But you can only do what you are supposed to do and City did that very convincingly."

Wenger has angrily rejected Ferguson's claims as he looks to get his side back in the title hunt against Chelsea on Sunday.

"I don't feel we are in disarray, I feel that Manchester City are a good side and Manchester United will maybe see that on Sunday. We had a few bad results and with the pace set by Liverpool and Chelsea, that made us drop off, but the quality is there and what happened to us can happen to them. If this team beats Chelsea after having beaten Manchester United, I believe they will go from strength to strength. You just have to believe, and I know we can beat them."

Personally, I'd rather be Fergie right now than Wenger. I fear for Arsenal going into this game and it could really bury their season. A loss for Manchester United with Chelsea and Liverpool both winning will make it hard for us too, but when the going gets tough, the tough get going as they say.....Back To Home Page...

Come Fly With United

Some football fans may laugh, others cry, but there will surely be a glint of pride in the eyes of at least a few Manchester United fans, when they see 'their' latest plane. They actually entered service in 2006 but I think they're pretty impressive so I added them here for those who haven't seen them.

Low cost airline, AirAsia has honored Manchester United, one of the most popular football clubs in
the world, by having one of its aircraft painted in the colors of the club.

The 9MAFC, otherwise known as the Red Devil Airbus A320,arrived at the KL International Airport from Toulouse, France. The 180 seater Airbus A320 is emblazoned in signature red, and adorned with images of the club's elite players on both sides of the aircraft's fuselage. The tail and aircraft engines also feature the Manchester United Football Club's
Crest.

"Manchester United has one of the biggest following in Asia. As the official low fare airline for Manchester United, AirAsia hopes to create opportunities and exciting avenues to reach out and connect with Manchester United's loyal fan base in Asia. As such, it is only befitting that we dedicate the aircraft to all the Manchester United Fans in Asia." said Dato' Tony Fernandes, Group CEO, AirAsia Berhad.

"We are delighted to be the first football club in the world to own our very own aircraft livery. The AirAsia Red Devil Airbus is an epitome of how a dynamic sponsor like AirAsia, can creatively blend art and function into their everyday business. The plane will certainly ensure we're the most well traveled team in Asia" said Peter Draper, Marketing Director, Manchester United Football Club.

The Red Devil Airbus A320 is AirAsia's 3rd Airbus delivery within 2 months. The aircraft will commence servicing Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Surabaya, Indonesia.

Featured on the Red Devil Airbus A320 are:

Sir Alex Ferguson
Park Ji Sung
Wayne Rooney
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Cristiano Ronaldo
Alan Smith
Rio Ferdinand

Back To Home Page...

Zoran Tosic Granted A Work Permit To Play At Manchester United

As I previously reported, Zoran Tosic had signed for Manchester United but there was the outstanding matter of getting a work permit for him as he had only played in 43% of his countries internationals instead of the required 75%.

Today he has been cleared to join Manchester United from Partizan Belgrade after being granted a work permit by British authorities. The 21 year old will join up with national team-mate Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford in January after the permit was granted at a Home Office (interior ministry) hearing attended by United boss Alex Ferguson.

Manchester United have not made public the fee they have agreed but it is though to be in the region of £8m. Tosic will face a tough fight to break into United's first team with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani already established at the club. Ryan Giggs is also still an option for Ferguson in terms of wide men, although the veteran is more often deployed in midfield these days. United are also keeping tabs on another promising Partizan youngster, 19-year-old midfielder Adam Ljajic......
Back To Home Page...

Michel Platini Plans To Stop Debt And Child Trafficking

I've written before about Michel Platini and his rather bizarre ideas on how he intends to 'improve' the game. To me it sounds more like his 'plan to stop English clubs dominating Europe'. But we all have our own opinions I guess.

The UEFA president did have the grace to say he has no plans to interfere with the domestic league set ups which is amusing, as he has no powers to do so and it is not part of his jurisdiction, but thanks for that anyway Michel.

Platini is complaining about the financial set ups at clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, surprise, surprise. If Platini gets his way it would mean the 'Big Four', who regularly qualify for the Champions Leagues, having to satisfy UEFA rules on debts and even how much they spend on wages. The Premier League are fiercely opposing the proposals.

Platini said: "What UEFA can do - and we are thinking seriously about doing it - is to reinforce and improve our system for granting licences for our own club competitions. 'It is in this way that we wish to contribute to financial fair play, and start responding to the expectations of the various parties involved in our sport. Fiscal rules in Europe are extremely diverse...and the systems of licensing, control and financial management of football clubs involve myriad concepts and different regulations. UEFA is not going to charge itself with the task of harmonising European fiscal issues. UEFA is not going to impose its licensing system on national associations for their own competitions."

Platini has also shown a desire to ban the tansfer of players under the age of 18 within the EU. The Premier League also opposes the latter proposal. He's as good as calling these transfers 'Child Trafficking' which is absolutely ludicrous!

Platini said: "Today, in the world and in Europe, there is trafficking of children. I will not mince my words because the situation is serious. What else do you call a phenomenon whereby children aged 12 or 13 are torn away from their environment and culture to join a business in return for payment? This is what is happening in football. Together with FIFA, we are studying remedies, but measures can already be taken to ban the international transfer of minors, even within the European Union. In numerous European states, strict rules exist which prevent clubs - on threat of sporting sanctions - poaching young players - from their rivals' training centres. However, these rules do not exist at European Union level. It is in this context that we would like to be able to ban international transfers of players under the age of 18 within the EU. This is not to create an obstacle to the free movement of labour - it is an urgent matter relating to helping youngsters in danger."

So if a youngster aged 13 from my country, Romania, who has dreamed of being a footballer since he was 4 or 5 years old and has worked so hard practising and developing his skills is then told his career must go on hold for 5 years until he is 18, this will make it better for everyone involved I guess. No child is 'torn away from their family'. When handling these very young, potential future superstars, I am sure Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and every other team handles it in a very caring manner and offers assistance for families to be with the young boys if and when they become part of the Academy.

Some of these children grow up in extreme poverty, Dimitar Berbatov is a very good example of this. His one and only chance of wealth and a good life was to go down the footballing route and he made it, against all the odds he actually made it. Now Berbatov gives back a great deal to his country by means of helping orphanages and setting up football schools using his own cash.

Mr Platini, I suggest you go and ask Dimitar Berbatov if he felt he was trafficked and torn away from his family and you will hear the truth. Don't try and take away the one chance these kids have of fame and fortune, just to stop English clubs dominating Europe......again!.....Back To Home Page...

Countdown to civil war

Bangkok Pundit recently rated the chance of a coup at five percent. I'd say that percentage is higher and increasing by the moment. (NB Pundit has mentioned to me that he was talking about the chances of what will happen next, he expects that the chance of a coup at some point is actually higher.)

Somchai is effectively exiled in Chang Mai. In Thailand - even more so than other countries - a leader outside the capital is greatly weakened.

The refusal of the army to deal with the seizure of the airport - the heart of Thailand's main industry - is incredible. The pledge to use the navy and air force instead even more so. No greater symbol of the polarisation of the Thai establishment could be imagined.

Nobody has absolute control or power. Nobody seems sure of a solution. A dissolved parliament will lead to re-election of the PAD's (and other people's) enemies. Dissolution of the PPP will result in a new party being formed and Thaksin's rage increased further. A coup brings the nation to rock bottom but at least returns control to one entity.

Next week is the birthday of His Majesty The King. His Majesty traditionally uses the occasion to deliver a speech that often contains guidance and wisdom for Thai people. This year, as ever, people will listen with great interest.

Manchester City And Their Annual One Match Sell Out

I woke up this morning at 4am having gone to bed too early and no one was around so boredom set in and I had a quick look at the Manchester City Official Club Site. The new City badge (left) is impressive, I love the logo underneath. This City site does make me laugh and cheers me up no end. How happy are they right now, it's their once annually 'sell out', the game with Manchester United has SOLD OUT!

They have dedicated a whole page to tell the world the 47,000 tickets are now all gone, unless you want to shell out an arm and a leg to sit in the 'Council House' or 'Wastelands' (as United fans affectionately know Eastlands by) Hospitality Area.

I quote:

The Club's Box Office has confirmed that Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United at the City of Manchester Stadium has now sold out.

The only chance for those without tickets to see the eagerly awaited fixture against our near neighbours is to take advantage of the few remaining hospitality places left -

The Box Office has advised everyone attending the derby on Sunday that on the day the Club DO NOT:

• Upgrade tickets
• Duplicate tickets for home or away supporters
• Reprint Season/City/L4C/Accesscards if lost, stolen or forgotten.
• Open Box Office South
• Open Box Office post match

Hurrah for Al-City, the massive club. This is the annual 'sell-out' the only time they ever run out of tickets so we should all be impressed with them. Of course it could happen again, I know this, I'm not too naive to acknowledge it..........they might draw United in the FA Cup you see.

I wont mention the fact that Manchester United sell 76,000 tickets week in week out every season as that would seem like I am boasting. Ooooops I said it.

The Hospitality suites are a treat to saviour at Wastelands, here we see one of the waitresses having a smoke break, they have them regularly so they can run down and feed their kids and change their nappies whenever they get a minute to spare. Most work cash-in-hand and any tips will be gratefully received. It is advisable to tip them as they have been known to wrestle customers to the floor in their pursuit of suitable tipping.

It is also advisable to try the traditional 'Wastelands menu, reflecting the meals these people have been eating for years. It's quite cheap, reasonably well presented and very, very nourishing. A particular favourite being the 'Rat Kebab' served on a bed of crispy Iceburg lettuce with a selection of dips and chutneys. Chips are optional.

Watch out for those rat teeth, they can chip your own teeth and cause havoc with your bowel movements.

Once you have washed your meal down with a nice tin of Carlsberg Special Brew you are taken out and dragged off to see the game. It's a bit nerve racking as you are dragged feet first to the edge of the roof but once you are strapped into place by your beautiful hostess it gets easier to watch the match from up there. The added bonus of course is the half time entertainment. From up on high you can piss on the City fans below which is fun, fun, fun. Roll on Derby Day, I can't wait......Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Loan Ron-Robert Zieler To Northampton

Manchester United have a young goalkeeper by the name of Ron-Robert Zieler in the reserves and he has been a regular in the academy side, playing 18 times in his first season after moving to United in 2005. He is now due to go out on loan to Northampton Town who have been left in the lurch somewhat with the return to Blackburn Rovers of their current loan keeper Frank Fielding.

He has continued his development through the under-18s and reserves, and this summer started every game in Germany's triumph at the UEFA Under-19 Championships. With Frank Fielding due to return to home club Blackburn Rovers on December 13, Cobblers boss Stuart Gray had to complete a signing before the loan transfer window closes at 5pm today.

"Under the terms of the loan ruling, Frank Fielding will have to go back to Blackburn after the Scunthorpe game, his 93 days will be up then and he will go back to his parent club. With that in mind, we would have been left with only one professional keeper in Chris Dunn and a youth scholar in Paul Walker between then and when the January transfer window opens, so we have taken Ron-Robert in before the loan window closed to help us out in that period. He is another young player with a fantastic pedigree and we are looking forward to him joining us." .....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Are The Kings Of Manchester

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has turned up the heat ahead of Sunday's match with Manchester City. Talking to the Manchester Evening News he threw a few taunts at Al-City just to let them know we mean business and to inform them that MANCHESTER UNITED ARE THE KINGS OF MANCHESTER!

“It will be nice to show them who are the Kings of Manchester, it doesn’t irritate us that City are getting all this publicity. If they were winning trophies it would irritate me but while they are still lingering in mid-table I am not really too bothered about it. We owe the fans a derby win even though we did win two trophies last season. Losing both games was extremely disappointing. Sunday is a massive game for the players, the fans and the club especially after what has happened at City with the takeover.”

City have been the headline makers this season due to Sheikh Mansour’s dramatic takeover in August. They immediately became the richest club in the world, breaking the British transfer record and stunning world football with the £32.5m signing of Robinho.

All this jibber-jabber from Al-City fans about how much money they have and how they will buy Ronaldo, Kaka, Messi and every other half decent player on the planet makes me laugh my butt right off. When Abramobitch turned up at Chelsea we heard it all.....5 years later they have 2 titles and an FA Cup, hardly world beating stuff is it?

Money is handy to have of course, it enables you to buy plenty of good players but you need more than that. You need history and passion, a manager with the ability to pull it all together for you and most of all you need players who understand the fans and understand the club and all that has gone before them which inspires a will to win within them.......and money can't buy you that, no matter how much of it you have !!! .....Back To Home Page...

Forget The Premier League And Champions League, Patrice Wants To Go Shopping

Manchester United fullback Patrice Evra has his own reasons for wanting to beat Manchester City in the Manchester derby this Sunday and it has nothing to do with the Premier League or the Champions League. Speaking to the Daily Mail he revealed the real reason he wants to win:

"I remember when we lost against City last year I was in a petrol station and a woman took the Mickey out of me, I was a little bit angry at the time but that was fine, it was just a joke. But I hope to win on Sunday so that when I go to the petrol station this time I can go in with a big smile! It is a big game for us. We lost six points to City last year and we need to change that. We drew against Villa last Saturday and now we need to get back to winning ways."

Bless him......Back To Home Page...

AOC budget for London Olympics

AOC announces $30 million spend on London Olympic Team@AOCThe AOC has budgeted $16.7m to prepare the 2012 Australian Olympic Team and $13.4m to send the Team to London. The AOC has budgeted $647,000 towards sending a Team to the first Youth Olympic Games (YOG) staged by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Singapore in 2010.

I'm Forever Blowing 30 Million Quid

The end of the saga involving Manchester United's Carlos Tevez saga could finally be in sight after Sheffield United won a High Court battle with West Ham. Mr. Justice Teare granted a temporary order preventing the Hammers appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over a ruling they had breached Premier League rules when they played the Argentinean. Sheffield United now have the green light to pursue their arbitration claim for damages over the Premier League relegation in 2007 and could be in line for a £30million pay out.

The full court battle over whether West Ham can appeal the arbitration tribunal's findings will be heard in the High Court next year, where the Yorkshire club will seek a permanent injunction. An independent panel ruled that Tevez was ineligible to play for West Ham during the 06/07 season - a campaign in which he was deemed to have played a crucial part in their survival.

Sheffield United were relegated at West Ham's expense and their claim for damages will be assessed at a future arbitration tribunal meeting in private.....Back To Home Page...

Ronaldo Kicked Off The Park, Wayne Dives And Manchester United Draw

Villarreal's coach Manuel Pellegrini took time out to deny any allegations that his team had targetted Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo for some rough treatment last night in the Champions League clash. Which I find highly amusing. Two players were booked for challenges on him and one received a straight red card when he slid in, studs showing and slammed into the side of Ronnie's knee. Camera close ups clearly showed the stud marks on his leg, but because it's Ronaldo that doesn't seem to matter and the crowd booed Ronaldo for getting fouled, amazing! Watch the highlights here and judge for yourself.

"It was not a rough game, and you have to challenge Ronaldo." Pelligrini said after the game.

Sir Alex was pleased with the way the referee Roberto Rosetti handled the match. He mentioned how he thought Ronaldo needs protecting from this kind of treatment and last night he got it, so well done to this ref. It's nice to see a referee getting some praise and actually having the conviction to punish things that he saw were wrong, leaving Sir Alex happy for once.

"The systematic fouling on him is what is happening in our game now. That is a tactic. Someone fouls him, then someone else has another foul. The referee thinks he is diving all the time, and the crowd are screaming. So that is the problem. The referee was very fair and strict with both teams. Capdevila may not have got that red card in England - so there is different interpretation of the physical aspect of the game in European matches."

Wayne Rooney apologised to Sir Alex and then apologised publicly in the newspapers for his 'dive', believing he had won a penalty. The striker's action incensed the crowd, but Rosetti did not book him. Ferguson said: "I think Wayne anticipated the challenge, because he was expecting a penalty kick. It is unusual for him to do that. I have seen it, and he has apologised to me. I think he has been watching Pires too much. At least Wayne apologised to the Villarreal players. You would never see Pires do that."

This match was the fourth consecutive game these two teams have played now. 360 minutes and not a goal between them. Let's all pray now they don't meet in the final. If they do, let's hope we get the same referee. It's such a pleasure to see someone with an attitude like him and the conviction to stand by what is right for once....More Cristiano Ronaldo Videos Here .......Back To Home Page...

Random thoughts: PAD, UDD, the blogs and the future

I think it would be arrogant for any of us to pretend we have all the knowledge and all the answers for the ongoing political crisis. We all have our own questions, opinions and ideas.

I could write pages of my own, but it would probably end up a garbled, fragmented mess. So instead, I will simply brainstorm my own thoughts and opinions, and I invite others to do the same.


PAD

- Their professed goal (new politics) is a very good one. Sadly, their methods have disgraced them.

- The PAD used to be a good thing. The first anti-Thaksin protests were the right way to protest. Why did they change? Perhaps they knew they lacked support this time around, so they needed to be more aggressive.

- One of the key failings of the leaders is their failure to condemn violent attacks such as the man who purposely ran over the policemen…..

- …this has attracted violent thugs who care nothing for the country but just want an excuse to attack policemen and others. Again, we must ask why this has been allowed, and the answer seems to be that the PAD need the numbers.

- This could have been something special. The PAD could have protested peacefully outside the airports, parliaments etc. They could have made a party atmosphere, distributed leaflets and staged music shows, etc, that got the message across. They could have pushed so hard for changes. It may have taken longer but it would have gained more support.

- The PAD seem to have a bandwagon mentality. Suddenly unions, students and shop workers all jump up and “demand” the government resign, all the while trying to get their picture in the papers.

- Will the leaders flee Thailand after it’s all over? Surely any political clout they have has been crushed under the weight of their crimes. Sondhi and Chamlomg must realize that they are playing Russian Roulette with their lives now.

- This campaign must have been expensive. Who is paying? Surely not Sondhi, he admits he is broke.

- There have been innocent victims in all this, but let’s remember where real sympathy should go. Whilst it was wrong to vandalise the Chart Thai premises, do we really want to shed too many tears for an incompetent, corrupt, godfather brand of politicians who have never been anything but opportunists?

- Likewise, let's remember that we have the likes of Chalerm in government. This is not a group of all nice people.

- My wife;s business has suffered as a result of PAD protests.

- General Prem has often spoken out during times of trouble, yet he has remained very silent during all this.




UDAD / Pro-government protesters

- In the beginning, it seemed to be the pro-government groups that resorted to violence. That has changed. For the most part they have been peaceful and articulate and they deserve credit for this.

- It shouldn’t matter and it doesn’t matter, but it has been observed (please take a look as it took me a long time to dig up that link!) that there are differences between the attractiveness of pro and anti government protesters. Perhaps Lalidah, Pasninja and others can join UDAD to even the score? (Just kidding, guys!)

- Pro government groups have the democratic advantage but geography is not on their side. Most of them come from outside Bangkok.



Both sides

- Talk about compromise but seem unable.

- Should really grow up and stop prancing around with weapons they have no idea how to use.

- Profess they are the ones who “really” love the country.

- The army and the police have probably improved their image during all this.

- The army have shown great restraint (*but is it for the right reasons?)

- The police don’t have the best international image but they have also been restrained.

- However, the police appear to lack organization and perhaps don’t like having the spotlight on them so bright that they can’t bully people as they have been accused of in the past. However, this certainly does not excuse the violence against them.


The endgame

- I see no way out. I think there will be no coup but I do see a military offensive that can only cause bloodshed.

- But that is not the end. The power struggle will continue. There are still questions to be asked, tensions simmering and things that cannot be said.

- I hope I’m wrong, I hope somehow this works out but I think things will get worse before they get better.

- In the very long term, I’m sure Thailand will be OK. As I’ve said before, it’s easy to look at the UK and say we are “democratically mature” but that’s because we went through stuff like this centuries ago. We still have problems now, but we get by. So will Thailand, but I’m not sure if it will happen in my lifetime.

Villareal 0 - 0 Manchester United Highlights

Sir Alex Keen To Become 'World Champions'

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has stated quite clearly he is keen for them to win the Club World Championship.

In a recent news conference he said: "We are delighted to be playing catch-up because it means we did things right during the previous season, to win the event in Tokyo would be great. We won it when it was a one-off game and now we have the opportunity to become the first British team to win it in its new tournament format. We will have to manage the second half of this season as best we can. We don't want to get to April and May and have to play rearranged games. Fulham and Wigan are our outstanding games and we will try to arrange them for January."

The FIFA Club World Cup, formerly known as the FIFA Club World Championship, is a competition contested between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations, although, since 2007, the champions of Oceania must play a qualifying play-off against the champion club of the host country.

The first competition took place in Brazil in January 2000. It was intended by FIFA to be a replacement for the Intercontinental Cup (also known as the Toyota Cup), which was contested annually in Tokyo, Japan by the champions of Europe via the Champions League and South America via theCopa Libertadores.

I guess it is a major trophy and it is worth winning but the timing of theis match and the journey involved to go and take part is not the best for United. Still, it is a piece of silverware so let's go and win it! .....Back To Home Page...

Xavi Not Happy - Manchester United And Chelsea Could Be

Xavi is not a happy player right now. His contract is up for renewal and Barcelona refuse to offer what he wants and this fact has alerted Manchester United and Chelsea.

I am at a loss as to why Barca would mess him around like this. Xavi is one of those very rare players these days who has shown complete loyalty to his team.

Xavi came up through Barcelona's youth system and has spent all of his footballing life with them. Showing exceptional talent for a player of his age, he quickly made his way through the youth and reserve teams and was a key member of Jordi Gonzalvo's FC Barcelona B team that won promotion to the Spanish Segunda Division.

At the age of 18 he was thrown in at the deep end and made his debut in the Super Cup Final and believe it or not, he scored too, what a start. He was that impressive he soon became a permanent fixture in Louis Van Gaals team that won La Liga.

Although his main role is as a central midfielder, he is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder and would be an ideal replacement for Paul Scholes who is showing signs of his age and is running out of time at Old Trafford. Xavi does have a buyout clause of £100m but that seems to mean nothing these days, if a player wants to leave then the price is more likely to be around £20m - £25m. I'd love to see him at ~United and think he would be a great asset. As I said, Scholes is on borrowed time now, Owen Sa(Ha)rgreaves seems to be crocked too often, and we need someone of Xavi's calibre.....Back To Home Page...

Pele Good, Maradona Great, George BEST!

Three years ago today
25th November 2005
George Best passed away
R.I.P George, we miss you xx

At the age of 15, Best was discovered in Belfast by Manchester
United scout Bob Bishop, whose telegram to United
manager Matt Busby read: "I think I've found you
a genius." His local club Glentoran had previously rejected
him for being "too small and light". Best was
subsequently given a trial and signed up by
chief scout Joe Armstrong.

Best made his Manchester United debut, aged 17,
on 14 September 1963 against West Bromwich Albion
at Old Traffordin a 1-0 victory. Two weeks later
Best scored his first goal against Burnley. By the
close of the season Best had six goals, and Manchester
United finished second, behind champions Liverpool.

In his second season, Best and Manchester
United claimed the league title.

Best hit the headlines the age of twenty when he
scored two goals in a European Cup quarter-final match
against Benfica in 1966, and was dubbed "O Quinto Beatle"
(The Fifth Beatle) in the press for his long hair,
good looks and extravagant celebrity lifestyle,
and even appeared on Top of the Pops in 1965.
Other nicknames included the "Belfast Boy" and
he was often referred to as Georgie, or Geordie in his
native Belfast.

The 1966-67 season was again successful as Manchester
United claimed the league title by four points. The
following season Best became a European Cup winner
after scoring in the final against Benfica. United
won 4-1 and Best was later crowned European
Footballer of the Year and Football Writers'
Association Player of the Year; after that
began a steady decline.

George Best Quotes

“I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted”

“I'd have to be superman to do some of the things I'm
supposed to have done, I've been at six different
places at six different times.”

“I'm OK. Much better than on other occasions. It's true
that I've made lots of mistakes but I've never tried
to bother anyone. I want to stay alive, preferably in
peace, without seeing every one of my mistakes in the
papers, and on many occasions, even stories that are lies.”

“That's what children do - throw food. That's not
fighting. We were real men. We'd have chinned them.”

“He can't kick with his left foot, he can't tackle, he can't
head the ball and he doesn't score many goals. Apart
from that, he's all right.” ~ On David Beckham

Rossi Could Come Back But Will He ?

Guiseppe Rossi was an outstanding prospect for Manchester United and we sold him for £6.6m to Villareal. Not because he was no use to us but purely and simply because the guy wanted first team football and Sir Alex Ferguson will NEVER guarantee that for any player.

Since he went to Villareal he has enjoyed a lengthy run in the first team and he has been scoring freely too. I would imagine he will be in action against United tomorrow as Villareal are the opponents in the Champions League. The winner of this game will become favourites to top the group.

How annoying and ironic if he were to score the winner against us.

Rossi is actually Italian-American and signed for Parma as a young boy, his father moved to Italy with him in order for him to follow his footballing dream. When he was seventeen years old Manchester United bought his contract and Rossi enjoyed a great run in both the youth team and the reserves.

At the beginning of the 2006-07 season he went North to Newcastle on a loan spell and scored once for them, but making an impression and impressing everyone at the club. For the second half of the same season he was loaned out again to his original team Parma where he scored nine times in nineteen games helping to save them from Serie B.

After this period he was being pursued by a host of European clubs and he was making demands on United for first team football so they eventually let him go for £6.6m with a buy back clause in his contract. Manchester United have first option to buy him back should he come up for sale. Fergie has talked of this option but whether or not he signs him again is doubtful. I feel it is just Sir Alex keeping his options open......Back To Home Page

England Tried To Poach Sir Alex Not Once, Not Twice But Three Times

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was approached on at least three occasions for the England manager's job, claims Former FA executive director David Davies.

The first approach to the our man boss came after Terry Venables' resignation in 1996. Ferguson is said to have been targeted again after the subsequent departures of Glenn Hoddle and Kevin Keegan but rejected all three attempts by the FA.

Speaking to The Herald, Davies said: "After Terry Venables, I wanted Fergie. I was absolutely clear he was the best person for the job. I was a personal friend of Sir Roland Smith, then chairman of Manchester United, and he didn't totally kick the idea into touch. I was vaguely encouraged.

Davies went on to admit he didn't expect Ferguson to take the post, adding: "I don't think he ever came near becoming the England manager. The idea of Alex leading England out at Hampden is somewhat far-fetched. He is a very, very proud Scot. He was, I think, tickled by the idea, though. When I recruited Keegan, I would have loved Ferguson to become manager. But the conversations were very brief."

If you ask me, the England managers job is tantamount to footballing suicide. The English media and the English fans have no loyalty unless you are winning. If you dare have a bad patch or get a bad result then don't expect any support or words of comfort, they will tear you apart and grind you down until the ob becomes impossible. The English have this strange mentality of expecting to lose, then they lose, then they get bitter because they lost.

Can anybody seriously imagine the England Prima Donnas being capable of listening to someone who does actually know more than them and is held in much, much higher regard than every single one of them ? I don't. They would all have spat the dummy out, hopped out the pram and gone home to sulk. Good decision Fergie.........Back To Home Page

The truth about Thaksin's swipe at the UK

Thaksin’s interview in the Arabic media is remarkable for two reasons. First, he’s let his anger (some might call it arrogance) get the better of him again. Those who do not reside in Thailand might misconstrue his “feel sorrow” comment. I’m certain this is a face saving exercise for the former PM. Thaksin is used to being looked upon as a man of great power. He took a gamble by praising the UK as “democratically mature” during his asylum bid, the obvious intention was to send a message saying: “Look, democratic countries want me! That shows how badly I was treated in Thailand!”.

Therefore his cancelled visa no doubt caused a great loss of face to him. His jab at the UK was his measured yet angry response. The little snipe at Britain will receive far more press in Thailand than the UK, and can fool his followers into thinking Thaksin is as influential in England as he is at home. The reality, of course, is that the UK government really isn’t concerned at all. Thaksin is page seven news at best for most Brits.

The other remarkable fact about Thaksin’s interview is that he directly states he will return to politics and discusses conditions for his return. These conditions are very frank for a sensitive topic in Thailand.

But even in absentia the former PM’s aftermath is still being felt, as tensions rise by the minute in Bangkok.

How Can Tevez Possibly Stay Now ?

Carlos Tevez has clearly been relegated to 4th choice at Manchester United so is it really worth Manchester United spending £30 million on making his move permanent ? After starting just one of the last six Premier League games he is clearly fourth in the striking pecking order behind Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov.

The deal to turn his loan into a £30million permanent move was supposed to have been completed by now but so far all we have heard is excuses after excuse from Fergie about how the cash is available but the deal will be done in December, January, February etc etc. If they reached the summer and said "No thanks" it would not be a big surprise to any of us really.

While his penalty finally ended QPR’s resistance in the recent Carling Cup game, his all-round play hardly suggested he was grasping this opportunity with both hands. His finishing was awful, which is why United needed a late penalty to sink the Championship outfit and make it to the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

Right now Alex Ferguson has been linked with bids for Karim Benzema. He has also mentioned the possibility of recalling Frazier Campbell from Spurs in the January transfer window and we have Danny Welbeck impressing everyone too. Add to this the talk of the buy back clause for Guisseppe Rossi from Villareal and to me it seems Fergie isn't placing much emphasis on a United future for Tevez.

Alex Ferguson has spent big, big money to get his team back to the top - £29 million on Wayne Rooney, £32 for million Dimitar Berbatov, £19 million on Anderson, £29 million on Rio Ferdinand, the list goes on. With all these expensive signings some might argue what is one more? But with the credit crunch biting even Chelsea, Manchester United will need to make cutbacks. Can they really justify spending £30 million on a 4th choice striker ? That puts them in the leagues of Chelsea in terms of profligacy – so will the fans appreciate the success as much when it has clearly been bought ? .....
Back To Home Page...

Danny Welbeck Can Play For England, Ghana, Scotland............Any More Bids ?

Manchester United's Danny Welbeck has a dilemma on his hands right now. He must choose whether he plays for England, Ghana or Scotland! How this choice for him ever arose is beyond me and that is my point here.

Ghana showed an interest in him for obvious reasons. Aged just 17 he is extremely talented and has a great future ahead of him. Both his parents are from Ghana too.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has laughed off this dilemma though. He has been capped by England at Under-19 level, and could continue along the England path or choose to represent the country of his parents. Fergie has offered some sound advice - ignore both and play for Scotland instead. "His parents are from Ghana so it is not a surprise, it is the boy's choice, although I would be surprised if he didn't play for Scotland. That is my big challenge now."

I think this "pick a country" option is ridiculous myself. If I was a footballer, it would mean I could play for India, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Ukraine, Romania, Moldova or Ireland !! Why is that ?

Romany people stem from India and have travelled west for over 800 years and occupied all the countries I have mentioned. I could trace my family back to any one of these countries. I tagged Ireland on the end as my father is Irish, though I haven't seen him for years. This makes me half Romanian and half Irish technically. Though I feel 100% allegiance to Romania and always will do, no offence to the Irish.

Here's the way I see it. The location where you are born is irrelevant. If a dog is born in a barn it's not a horse is it ? So it should come down to your parents and nothing else. With Danny Welbeck, he has Ghanaian parents so he is Ghanaian. Obviously he has lived here all his life, he has a British passport and is entitled to it, but his roots are in Ghana, he should want to represent the people he is originated from.

There will be times when one parent may be from say, France and one from Italy, as an example. In this situation they must choose between the two. As things stand right now, you can choose your country and then come up with some bizarre back tracking and that's it you qualify.

Welbeck playing for Scotland mystifies me. Maybe he ate a plate of Haggis aged six, or could he have glimpsed a copy of the Daily Record through a window of WH Smith ? .....
Back To Home Page...