₦airaland Forum

superstar1: UEFA Under 19 CL

MUFC 4 Leverkusen 3

I watched the game. Some of the youngsters were pretty impressive. Although they nearly messed it up by letting a 2 nil lead go to smoke, losing 2-3, before coming back to win 4-3 in the dying minutes with 10 men.

StarBoard: Dem send?
As long as both are going at each other, nothing else matters. Even tonight, during the game, they will still argue about whether Rooney;'s pass was long or short, about Hargreaves playing central midfield in 2008 final, about Keane playing 1999 Final . . .
elampiro will go and dig out an article in Kenneth Dike library archive, coogar will post Opta stats (Fella lives and fdies by opta) and before you know it, the thread will reach 500 pages just like that.

They should get a room jare. . .

Lol. They should indeed get a room.

StarBoard: Lol
If coogar and elampiro don't post, like 2 days, but if both guys are on top form, 2 hours

Lol. You'll have to pray make God touch their hearts.

StarBoard: Bros please spare me.
I dey use 100 MB bundle on etisalat

How many days you dey use the 100 MB?

StarBoard: @ ♛AndrERush♛:
You sef wan follow finish my data bundle?
Thank God elampiro has not come today.

The images are actually very small. So don't worry yourself too about your data lol.

superstar1: Young keh?

The guy that has only made 1 successful cross out of the 20 crosses he has attempted in the last 3games. Please save me a long night by removing that guy from the line up.

I can't shout!!!

Lol... I just realised, there is one certain Sir Giggsy. I think that left position is between himself and Young , with Kagawa coming on in the second half.

Champions League preview: Manchester United VS Bayer Leverkusen


THE STATS


https://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m494/mecuryball/1379417711360.jpg


David Moyes takes charge of his first UEFA Champions League group game when Manchester United welcome 2002 foes Bayer Leverkusen to Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

United boss Moyes' only previous experience as a manager in the Champions League came eight years ago when his former club Everton lost 4-2 on aggregate to Villarreal in a third qualifying round tie.

He now has the challenge of trying to lead United much further than the group phase and, at his pre-match press conference on Monday, expressed his excitement at what lies ahead.


The game will be United's first in Europe without Sir Alex Ferguson
as manager since March 1985, when the Red Devils were beaten on
penalties by Hungarian side Videoton in the UEFA Cup quarter-
finals.

The visit of Leverkusen will doubtless bring back painful memories
for Moyes' predecessor as United lost to the Bundesliga club on
away goals in the 2002 semi-finals, which denied Ferguson a 'home'
final in Glasgow against Real Madrid.

United did beat Leverkusen home and away in the group phase in
the following season, but head into Tuesday's game on the back of
a mixed record at Old Trafford in Europe in recent campaigns.

The Red Devils have won just three of their last nine European ties
at home, and were beaten 2-1 by Real Madrid in the last 16 last
term when Nani was controversially sent off.

Moyes enjoyed his first competitive home win on Saturday, when
controversy was again in plentiful supply, as a Robin van Persie
penalty and Wayne Rooney free kick secured a 2-0 victory over
Crystal Palace.

Leverkusen have not won on their previous eight visits to England,
but have made an impressive start to the Bundesliga season after
winning four of their opening five games.

Coach Sami Hyypia has fond memories of Old Trafford as his final
start for Liverpool in March 2009 produced a 4-1 victory over
United.


UNITED LAST 6 GAMES

https://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m494/mecuryball/Screenshot_2013-09-17-12-38-29-1.png


TEAM NEWS

Wayne Rooney will again have to wear a headband if he is selected to protect the wound which saw him miss England's recent World Cup qualifiers.

Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa are doubtful while Phil Jones, Rafael and Darren Fletcher remain on the sidelines.

Nani is suspended following his red card against Real Madrid last season, while Adnan Januzaj, who impressed on his debut against Palace at the weekend, is not eligible until the third group game.


LEVERKUSEN LAST 6 GAMES

https://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m494/mecuryball/Screenshot_2013-09-17-12-38-40-1-1.jpg

TEAM NEWS

Leverkusen will make a late decision on whether influential midfielder Lars Bender starts, but Hyypia won't take any risks.

Bender missed Germany's recent World Cup qualifiers against Austria and the Faroe Islands with a hip injury, but has returned to training.

Gonzalo Castro is definitely out after suffering a torn thigh muscle against Wolfsburg at the weekend and Jens Hegeler is missing with a hamstring problem.


OUR POSSIBLE LINEUP, WITH ANDERSON REPLACED BY CLEVERLEY/FELLAINI AND KAGAWA PROBABLY REPLACING YOUNG ON THE LEFT.

https://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m494/mecuryball/Screenshot_2013-09-17-12-57-39-1.png




PREDICTION: 3-1 TO UNITED. COME ON YOU REDS!.

njokusboy: Lolzz, I'd love to but am also a one man, one woman kind of guy.. Taking posterity into consideration..

That's fair enough.

njokusboy: Dat makes us 2

You know better thing

Her height would have been an issue, but I'm 6'3 so my kids would be covered in that respect.

njokusboy: Lolzz, if I can have 3,4 or more lyk em, I go happy oh but dis one man, one wife thing don spoil dis world, true, its not fair, since I can only have one, I'd go for boity.. D babe is a cutie pie, reminds me a freshly baked, out of the oven, robust hamburger.. Damn, am tinkin tins

A man is free to marry more than one wife as long as he can care for them. Fire on my friend, nothing is stopping you.

ninnyanny: we are all africans,there's no need to try to flow with the western morality... We all admire boity but few would want to have her as a wife....guys would love to date her but few would love to marry her. I would choose maria over her ,anyday.U don't have to go naked to be beautiful....

I can proudly count myself as one of those that wouldn't mind marrying a gurl like Boity.

@Coogar and @elampiro

You guys have been arguing for more one week now. Una nor dey tire?

Moyes excited by Europe

David Moyes has revealed his excitement towards leading Manchester United into the UEFA Champions League; a competition he feels is more competitive than ever.

The Reds have been drawn in Group A alongside Shakhtar Donetsk, Real Sociedad and Bayer Leverkusen, who visit Old Trafford on Tuesday evening. And Moyes, whose previous experience in the tournament was with Everton in 2005, acknowledges it’s going to be tough.

“I've been excited about it ever since I've joined Manchester United," he told reporters on Monday. "Every game has offered a new challenge and a tough one as well. I've been there before with Everton - we didn't quite make the group stages but this is different. This is a club that's used to getting to the latter stages.

“I think all groups are tough. You used to be able to always pick out the group winners but in the last few years that has become more difficult. It is more unpredictable than it was. We've got a leading team from Germany, one from Spain and we go to Donetsk to play Shakhtar. It's a tough group.

“I think it's become a competition that everybody wants to do well in. Maybe some teams can afford to rest players in their leagues and use them in the Champions League but that's hard in the Premier League. It's a competition the players here at Manchester United are used to and experienced in.”

When pressed further on his experience, the boss was keen to point out that he isn’t the only new manager in the tournament this season. In fact, his opposite number on Tuesday, ex-Liverpool captain Sami Hyypia, has never taken sole charge of a European match.

“You know Sami Hyypia's new as well? It's not just me! I've been around a long time and always wanted to get to the Champions League. I did what I could at Everton to make that happen. Now I'm at United I'm going to do everything I possibly can to win it.”

Speaking at a press conference, the boss was also asked about United’s controversial defeat to Real Madrid last season, a match he attended. But rather than focusing on the past, the boss was keen to focus on the future; Tuesday’s clash with Leverkusen.

“I was at the game last year against Real Madrid and it completely went against United on the night. But I'm always amazed at the atmosphere on big Champions League nights. The players are already motivated because of the game and we're going to go out there and put on a good show.”

Fellaini doesn't make first cut at United training after he struggles with 'intensity'


As Manchester United went through their opening passing drills in two
circles, there was a clear hierarchy between the two groups.

The first set of players was led by manager David Moyes and included
United's highest earners and most gifted ball-players. The manager
was working with Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Michael Carrick,
Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Nani, Ashley Young and
Tom Cleverley.

Interestingly, though, new £27.5million recruit Marouane Fellaini was
put through his paces in the second-tiered circle. In his unveiling
press-conference last week, the former Everton man admitted he had
been struggling to adapt to the sharper pace of the United training
sessions.

Fellaini revealed: 'I have a problem with the intensity of the training
because I am playing with big players. It is quicker than at Everton. But I am happy. I like the game and I like to play.'

The Belgian was alongside Alex Buttner, Anderson, Chris Smalling the
Da Silva twins, Javier Hernandez, Wilfried Zaha, Anderson, Jonny Evans and Antonio Valencia. The group was led by United first-team coach Phil Neville.

Nonetheless, Moyes has predicted that the Belgian midfielder could prove to be a United great in the long-term.

'He's got the potential to be that good,' he said.

'He's got an awful lot going for him. I always think he is Belgium's best player and they have a very good side.

'Hopefully he'll help our great players get better by giving them a bit
more freedom on the pitch. He's got good ability and he's still young
enough to improve.

'He'll be a true Manchester United player. We'll give him time and the
room to do so and I think hopefully people will see he'll contribute
greatly to the team.

'We'll play him further back the pitch than up the pitch. We've got
enough people who can play the number 10 role.'

United followers should be pleased that Moyes intends to play Fellaini
deep in his midfield. It is this area that has held United back in recent
years - especially in Europe - and the Belgian should in theory help his
new team spend much more team in possession of the football.

Fellaini said: 'Everton was a great club for me with great teammates.

'I respect the fans but it is time for me to leave and join a big cub. I
want to play midfield defensive and if I can help the team further
forward then good.

'Training is quicker than at Everton but I'm happy.

'The quality is better than Everton but Everton are a great club as well.

'The price is not my problem. 25million or 30million or 20million - whether you are expensive or not, players are just players.

'In the past you have had Cantona. Roy Keane, Beckham - I will do my
best.' Moyes confirmed that United will not return for Everton defender
Leighton Baines and declared himself unruffled about the criticism that followed the club's summer efforts in the market.'

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney was all smiles as he trained without wearing the specially designed protective headband he sported at the weekend against Crystal Palace.

The England striker looked pleased to be back in the United fold after
coming close to leaving for Chelsea in the summer transfer window.

Here's a very nice piece on Adnan Januzaj... It's a good read..




[b] When Manchester United’s transfer window had ended so
ignominiously two weeks ago, a message coming down from the
highest level of the club was that Adnan Januzaj’s promotion to the
first-team squad by David Moyes showed that it was growing in
unappreciated ways.

What seemed like a piece of self-justification at the time assumed
significance during the 18-year-old’s first Premier League
appearance in the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday – a
day for remembering new beginnings, 50 years on exactly from
when George Best first pulled on the No 7 jersey. All things in
perspective, but Januzaj displayed some of the sang froid that Best
displayed all those years ago, and demonstrated, just like him, that
the slender frame which everyone at Carrington agrees needs
filling out should not be an impediment to progress.

The Belgian-Albanian’s innocence was refreshing when he
replaced Ashley Young – who you hope will begin to realise that his
theatrics are contributing to his struggle to be loved by United’s
faithful.

“Gonna be like Tiger Woods,” Januzaj recently said on Facebook, so
delighted was he to receive some new kit from a sponsor. He’s the
only United first-team player with as few as 662 followers on
Twitter. But the boy can play. “Everyone knows he’s a player with
enormous qualities. Technically he’s amazing,” his compatriot and
new team-mate Marouane Fellaini observed after his own notable
arrival from the bench. “Now it’s up to him to prove himself.”

The coaches talk about the importance of the “half turn” position
when a player receives a ball with one shoulder facing his own goal
and the other the opposition’s. It should never be back to goal.
Januzaj remembered the coaching. He was a foil to the
gamesmanship of Young, whose habit of manufacturing penalties
by leaning into players is deeply unedifying.

There are never guarantees that technical qualities as fine as his
will be carried into the Premier League. But Januzaj was on the
field little more than a minute before skipping beyond Adrian
Mariappa, and levering a dangerous cross which was scrambled
away. There was a beautiful reverse pass inside Danny Gabbidon
for Wayne Rooney to experiment with a Hollywood chip when
something more Croxteth was needed. Then his mazy running won
the free-kick from which Rooney scored. Moyes has always loved
wide men, stretching the full-backs and creating corridors inside
them to exploit. Another reason why the United manager talks
about Januzaj so often.

He is a young man with his own mind, though, who has not played
for Belgium at any youth level because of thoughts of Albania –
despite a career formed at Anderlecht, who were paid €600,000
(£500,000) by United for him two years ago.

The teenager’s parents are Kosovar-Albanians, with his father a
key influence. United are seeking to tie him down, too, as his
current contract has a year to run and Juventus and Barcelona are
circling. The club could provide no progress update on that front
yesterday. Expect United’s attempts to keep him to become a
significant story in the weeks ahead.

The 18-year-old’s strength and fitness are what reserve-team
coach, Warren Joyce, considers the biggest grounds for
development for last season’s United reserve team player of the
year. Talk of Januzaj heading out on loan – Blackburn Rovers have
denied they may be recipients – is a receding prospect.

“I used to like the ball and go to the ball and now I have to do
another job – defending,” Januzaj told the club’s media this
summer. “But for United, there is a growing urgency to ensure he
will simply be expressing himself – in their own colours.[/b]

Nani sat down with ManUtd.com following the international break to discuss his return to fitness and new contract at Old Trafford..

How are you feeling now you’re back from injury and you’ve had the games for United and Portugal?
I feel very good. I think, at the moment, there are no problems with my condition, with my fitness and with my body. It’s all good now so I’m able to focus on my job and work hard to be at my best. I’ve signed the new contract so that’s fantastic. I’m ready to work hard and help the team.

How frustrating was the timing of the injury given you were looking very sharp in pre-season and during the game in Sweden when it happened?
Yes, that was because I was working very hard in that game. I tried to work very hard to give my all, 100 per cent, and use my experience, skills and everything. That’s why I pulled up during a run. Now I’ve been working carefully so it’s all progressive. I feel very good. I’ve played a couple of games and I think I’m ready to play more games.

You mentioned you’re excited to sign the contract. It means you’ll have your peak years here now..
I’m more relaxed as now I can focus just on the games and what I am going to do on the pitch. That is very important for a player to have all the things outside of the pitch sorted out. Now I have a new contract with Manchester United and I’m so happy. I hope to give back on the pitch to try and win more trophies with the club.

Do you consider Manchester to be your home now?
I felt home a long time ago. I think I’m part of this club as I’ve been here for a lot of successful seasons. Virtually all of my career, I’ve been here – I just had two years at Sporting Lisbon and all the rest was here. All my successful times have been at this club so that’s why I am so happy. I feel at home.

We’ve had the international break and you came up against Jonny Evans. As he played full-back, were you in direct competition with him?
Yes, I spoke with him when I came on as a substitute in the game. We were losing so I said: ‘Come on Jonny, relax’. I was joking and, after two minutes, we changed the result so I started laughing but it was a good game. It was hard but a great experience for us.

Then it was off to the United States, when you started against Brazil..
It was another great game. It is always spectacular to play against a big team like Brazil. It’s always nice and everyone wants to play them. We lost but I think we did a lot of good things in the game.

After this international break, we’ve got a rush of United matches until the final World Cup qualifying fixtures..
That’s what I’m looking forward to – playing in all these games and doing my best. I think I need to start playing and get to 100 per cent fitness as quickly as possible because that’s very important for me.

Obviously, you’re suspended for the tie with Bayer Leverkusen but is there extra motivation in the Champions League after last season?
Of course. Always – every season – there is good motivation so, this year, I want to concentrate and do well because last year was unlucky. We should have gone far and should have got into the quarter-finals but the referee made the decision to send me off. We need to forget that now and think about the present and the future to work hard and do better.

Will never forget that goal against Villa, 2009. It is a shame Macheda couldn't break into the first team all these years, even with the numerous loan moves. I genuinely thought he would be a hit for us.


Doncaster have signed Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on an initial one-month loan deal.

Macheda, in the final year of his contract at United, watched Rovers'
goalless draw with Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield from the directors' box at the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday and reported for training at the Sky Bet Championship club's Cantley Park complex on Monday
morning.

He is expected to go straight into Paul Dickov's squad for Doncaster's
league trip to Watford on Tuesday night.

The Italian has failed to live up to his early promise since bursting on
to the scene with a superbly-taken last-minute goal on his debut to
earn United a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford in April 2009.

Loan spells with QPR, Sampdoria and Stuttgart, where he spent the
last five months of last season, have followed but the 22-year-old has
struggled to score goals at all three clubs.

Macheda's last appearance for United came last December in a
Champions League defeat to FC Cluj where he came on as a second-
half substitute.

Marouane Fellaini says he was pleased to have made his Manchester
United debut against Crystal Palace on Saturday following his
£27.5million move from Everton in August.

The giant Belgium international came on for Anderson for the final half
hour at Old Trafford and is hoping to start at home to Bayer
Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

Fellaini said: "I was happy with my first 30 minutes. I've tried to do my
job - winning duels, clearing balls, playing clean.

"I hope to start in the Champions League. It will be my first experience
in that competition and I'm looking forward to it.

"But, the coach decides. It's important we make a good start."

Fellaini also commented on the special reception the fans gave him
during the game.

Fellaini added: "It was a nice experience with the fans. They all
supported me and I felt confident.

"There were fans with wigs in the stands which is always nice. I want
to give everything for this club, for the team-mates and fans. In all
things, you feel this is one of the biggest clubs in the world."

Fabio is prepared to fight brother Rafael for the right-back position at
Manchester United.

Fabio, who spent last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers, made
his first start for United since November 2011 in the 2-0 win against
Crystal Palace at the weekend.

And the young Brazilian hopes to start more regularly for the Premier
League champions, even if it is at the expense of his brother.
Speaking to The Sun, Fabio said: "My brother and I are going to fight
for the right-back position.

"Why not? We have always fought over everything, PlayStation,
anything. we fight with each other to win. This is no different. Now we
are 23 we are mature.

"It's not important whether me or him plays but that we do well. It's a
big thing to play for United. We just have to play and enjoy it."

Manchester United manager David Moyes is delighted with the
progress being made by teenage midfielder Adnan Januzaj, who was
given his Premier League debut on Saturday as a second-half
substitute.


The 18-year-old Belgian played the final 23 minutes against Crystal
Palace at Old Trafford and did not look out of place.
He even played a part in United's second goal nine minutes from time
when he was chopped down by a defender as he sprinted towards the
penalty area, and Wayne Rooney subsequently curled home the
resulting free-kick.
Moyes told United's official website: "Adnan's ahead of schedule.
"I would have introduced him earlier if the games had been suited, but
the start of the Premier League has been a bit more difficult.
"I thought, if I got the opportunity against Palace, I'd introduce him and
I considered playing him from the start.
"His performance when he came on shows that would have been
merited. He did a lot of good things, he moved with the ball well. The
boy's going to be a good player."
And talking about his league debut, Januzaj told MUTV: "I felt great
and shocked because I played for about 25 minutes and that was my
first game.
"I think I did some good things but it is only my debut so I have to
keep doing well on the pitch."

[b] '' Shinji Kagawa and Rafael have made a return to full training this week to give Manchester United a boost ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen.

The Japanese playmaker was ruled out of the game against Crystal Palace on Saturday with the flu, something he confirmed himself, but a weekend of recuperation seems to have done the trick for him.

It’s also great to see the return of Rafael who has been out since limping off the pitch at Wembley in the Community Shield with a hamstring injury. In his absence, Phil Jones slotted in at full back until he picked up an injury himself and his twin Fabio took the reigns in an impressive performance against Palace on Saturday.

Saturday’s victory over Palace marked the beginning of David Moyes’ toughest week so far as United manager. His first ever Champions League campaign gets under way against Bayer Leverkusen tomorrow before United visit Manchester City on Sunday for the first derby this season.

Having a full squad is going to be imperative if United are to succeed this season so to have both Kagawa and Rafael return to full training is fantastic.

Wayne Rooney also trained without protective headgear but Welbeck didn’t train and Jones was left on his own as he recovers from injury.''[/b]

coogar: carrick conjured a lot of gems last season....this was for van persie against newcastle but he narrowly missed. this pass is as good as the chelsea one.


https://i.minus.com/ib1gMoCkXmXRho.gif

Carrick is the most underrated midfielder in Europe.

coogar: his finest moment for me last season....

https://i.minus.com/iK5CVsGIAvnEf.gif

That pass was pure sex, the finishing, org*sm .... But unfortunately, I can't say the same about the second half which almost had me smash my phone from which I was streaming the match to the ground.

Michael Carrick had a Question & Answer session on Twitter this afternoon with fans...... Here is the transcript I copied from Twitter..




@Fan: Are you excited to link up in midfield with Fellaini?

Carrick : Definitely. It's always good to have new faces in the squad and learn off of each other. It doesn't matter what position they play in.

@Fan: what was the best inspirational speech you ever heard from Sir Alex? Either to you or the team as a whole?

Carrick : He did one at the start of every season so it's tough to pick one out. There was always something to take from them. Pretty much every time he spoke there was something inspirational. The one before Moscow in 2008 was great.

@Fan: what was the last album you bought?

Carrick: I don't really buy albums anymore! I use the playlist on Spotify mainly. I listen to different bits and pieces, a bit of everything.

@Fan: what was your proudest moment as a footballer? And furthermore in your life?

Carrick: Winning my first trophy and winning the Champions League was great. Also my England debut. Having two kids is also special.


@ManUtd if you had to take 3 things to a deserted island what would you take and why ?

Carrick: A pillow, a bag of sweets and a photo of my family! If I could take them with me then I obviously would. Otherwise, a photo of them!

@Fan: Favorite F1 Driver?

Carrick: I've met Mark Weber a few times and he's a good guy. I also like the way Alonso and Raikkonen drive.


@Fan: if there was one game in your United. career you could do all over again. .which would it be?

Carrick: The CL final in Moscow. Everything about it was great - the weather, how late we kicked off, the feeling at the end... I almost cried!

@Fan: who has been the most hardworking footballer you have ever worked with?

Carrick: All the top players tend to work hard. Whether it's looking after themselves, training well... that's why they're top.


@Fan: in one word describe playing alongside Paul Scholes for so many years..

Carrick: A pleasure. An absolute pleasure. (I know that's not one word!)


@Fan: what was the most emotional game that you ever. played? And how do. you remain so calm and composed all the time?

Carrick: Moscow's the easy answer but Madrid at home last year was emotional. You just have to concentrate on your job, though.


@Fan: Do you believe in superstitions Micheal- if so what sort of superstitious traditions do you follow b4 a match?

Carrick: I have routines rather than superstitions. It's about habits and getting used to doing the same things at the same times.

@Fan: What is your favourite Man United chant

Carrick: Apart from my own? Haha! The one that sticks out is the one from the first year I was here... "Mourinho, are you listening?"

@Fan: What's your favourite away stadium to play at in England

@Carrick: I enjoy playing at St James' Park because I'm from Newcastle. Highbury was one of my favourites, too. The Emirates is also nice.


@Fan: What makes Manchester United. the greatest. football Club in the world?. (Strictly from your own perspective)

Carrick: History, tradition, the fans, the brand of football we play... it all adds together to make Man United great

@Fan: Any targets set for this season 2013/2014? Besides MU finishing top on the table

Carrick: Just to improve. We always want to improve, win every game we play and win trophies. I always want to learn and improve.


@Fan: how hard is it to believe it's not Scholes?

Carrick: Haha, it's pretty easy! It's a good song. I always like to hear it and I take it as a complement. There's a bit of irony in there...


@Fan: Do you think you can. prolong your career like Giggsy & play until your 40 at the highest level?

Carrick: Forty's tough! I don't know if I can get that far. It's extreme what he's done. You can just take it year by year.


@Fan: What motivates you to be as successful as you are?

Carrick: Having the feeling of success before. You just want to repeat it time and time again. I'm greedy, too: I always want to win more.


@Fan: If you could play with one player from the past, who would it be?


Carrick: That's a tough one! Maradona perhaps, Gascoigne in his prime, George Best as well. They were all top players.


@Fan: What do you think is your biggest strength? Which aspect of your game do you work on most in training?

Carrick: I think my strength is I'm calm. I don't get too emotional. In terms of improving, I'm always looking to learn. You're never done.

HERE'S THE ACTUAL INTERVIEW


What kind of changes has Moyes brought in?
“The training is different – different kind of routines – which is
normal when the new manager comes. Obviously he’s brought his
staff as well, who have worked with us for two months, and we’ve
got to know each other more. It’s all positive – I think we are in
good shape.”

Tactically, does he want you to do anything differently?
“It’s not big, big changes – we have similar players – but he’s
trying to teach the players different things. There are lots of
positives, and now it’s the time to show them on the pitch.”

Is there anything you miss about the old set-up?
“You know what, we had success with [Sir Alex] Ferguson. It was a
pleasure and I’m glad I worked with him, but you know something
new always comes – it’s new challenges, new training, new
preparations.”

Anything you won’t miss?
“Not really – I don’t look at it that way. I had a great time with Sir
Alex and we had so much success. I will always remember it as a
good time.”

Do you still see him?
“Yeah, actually I saw him at Wimbledon – accidentally we had seats
next to each other. We were supporting different players [Murray
and Djokovic] and it was fun, it was nice to see him there. I was not
his player at the time – he looked relaxed and he was with his
family.”

Did you see a different side to him?
“No, he’s always him, you know? He’s not the kind of person who
will change. He is straightforward – Moyes has a similarity with Sir
Alex, he’s straightforward as well.”

Does Moyes have his own version of the famous ‘hairdryer
treatment’?
“No - until now he didn’t really have any need to, like you say,
hairdryer and shout at players, because at the moment everything is
going smooth [this was before the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the
Premier League]. The players are training well, and as long as it’s
like that he won’t have any reason to do it. Hopefully it will stay like
that.”

The start of the season hasn’t gone entirely to plan, with five points
dropped after only three league games, but United have conceded
just two goals so far this season – and Vidic has played every
minute. It’s no surprise; United tend to defend better with the big
Serbian on the pitch. Last season they conceded 47 goals in the 32
games he didn’t start, compared with 18 in the 22 games he did.
Just two of those games came in the Champions League, though –
and Vidic has played a total of just four European games in the
fairly calamitous continental campaigns of the last two seasons. We
can still see the scars on his knee that tell the story behind those
absences...


You were fit for the start of the season last year and the year
before, but got injured around this sort of time...
[In a slightly accusatory tone] “You’re projecting that I’ll get injured
again in September?”

[Nervously] Well, hopefully not – but is it something that worries
you?
“It does not worry me because I’m feeling well, I’m training well.
The injury I had, it was like an accident on the pitch – some player
stood on my leg and I had the ligament problem. And afterwards,
because of that, I got another problem, a knee injury – but that was
a consequence of the injury I had before.”


Have you had to change your game to compensate for the injuries?
“No, no, not really – I believe I’m still playing the same way. It
helps when you go through pre-season, and that’s why I’m glad I’ve
been through pre-season. I had a good four, five weeks of training,
and that helps. If I start with an injury and join the team in
December, they’re all fully fit, they’ve played many games and
they’re in form. Now I start at the same level as them, and I can
gradually go up and be better.”

The team seems to struggle a bit defensively when you’re not
there. Is that difficult to watch?
“It’s always tough when you’re not playing – when you’re watching
the game, when you’re injured, it’s tough to watch. I’m no different
to other players.”

You’ve maybe not played as much Champions League football as
you would have liked over the past two seasons – are you looking
forward to the prospect of a full season?
“Yeah, I’m looking forward. I had the injury, obviously – that took
me off football for quite a while – but it’s a new year, I’m looking
forward to this year. Hopefully I can play as many games as I can,
be part of the team and help the team.”

Do you think United can win the Champions League this season?
“It’s not something easy. Any team in the world can say, ‘we want
to win the Champions League’. [We think about correcting him here,
but decide against it. You would do the same]. We have a target,
and that’s why we prepare hard. We think we can go to the later
stages and with a bit of luck, yeah, we can win the tournament.”

Is it getting harder to compete with the likes of Barcelona, Real
Madrid, Bayern Munich ...
[Interrupting] “ Manchester United .”

But are United still at that level?
“You know two years ago, Chelsea won – did you believe Chelsea
were gonna win that title? Barcelona won everything the last three
years, but last year Bayern Munich came. It’s not something where
you can say that someone will win the title. I’ve been here eight
years; I’ve played three finals, one semi-final, two quarter-finals –
and that means that sure, United is always in the last stages of the
Champions League. Hopefully we can do that again this year. With
luck against Madrid last year, maybe we would have been in the
quarter-finals – and who knows what would have happened then.”

That Madrid game was obviously quite difficult, with Nani’s harsh
dismissal – did you feel a sense of injustice afterwards?
“We gave everything – obviously with ten men it was tough after
that to play against Madrid. Maybe, yeah, we were disappointed
with some things on the night, but we get over it. It’s a new season,
new challenges – even when we lost that game, we didn’t think
about it. We had at the time the Premier League to win, so you
don’t have time to be sad - you have to be focused.”

Sir Alex obviously had a lot of Champions League experience – do
you expect there to be a learning curve for David Moyes in Europe?
“I think football is the same everywhere... he has been the manager
of Everton for more than ten years; he’s facing teams like Chelsea,
Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd every year, and that means he has
the experience to play against top teams. Obviously he has, I
believe, better quality players now at Manchester United – and I
believe he has enough experience to drive us on.”

Do you watch much football outside of ‘work’?
“Sometimes. English football most of the time - but most of the
time I’m looking because of the opponents, to see who I will play
against. But these days I’m watching more cartoons and music
because of the kids – they’re the ones in charge of the TV now.”

What do they like?
“They’re watching cartoons – they’re watching the Ben 10.”

What do you put on if you get the TV to yourself?
“I love movies, some sports channels – maybe golf, tennis . I love
tennis – I follow the Serbian tennis players: Djokovic, Tipsarevic,
Troicki, Ivanovic and Jankovic. We’ve had some good tennis players
in the last few years – we didn’t have any for so many years, and in
the last five years we have five, six, seven. It’s exciting.”

What kind of movies do you like? We’d pictured you as an action
movie kind of guy.
“Anything: action, thrillers, dramas. I love the... what do you call
them? With Iron Man and stuff like that?”

Superhero films?
“Superhero films - it’s nice, it’s just relaxing. You don’t have to
think much - they’re just fighting, running everywhere.”

Fighting, running, saving the day. These are things that Vidic the
superhero is going to have to do in abundance this year if United
are to progress in Europe, starting with the visit of Bayer Leverkusen
on Tuesday.
As club captain, he can act as a bridge between the success of the
Alex Ferguson era and the new manager, helping David Moyes
overcome his relative lack of European experience.
If Vidic can do all of that, successfully steer clear of injuries and, as
he says, get a bit of luck, he could well be singing again come May
– in the Champions League final.

Nemanja Vidic is singing.

This is an unexpected turn of events, and we don’t know what to do
with our face.

Does he want us to laugh? It would certainly be comical if we
weren’t so terrified, because Manchester United’s famously hard
captain is softly performing a couple of bars of the song they play
at the darts when someone lands a 180.

His cold blue eyes are locked on ours throughout, and his mouth
forms a shape that could be a smile or a snarl. What if he doesn’t
want us to laugh?

Contemplating the tree-trunk thickness of Vidic’s tanned arms, and
the Old Trafford chant about how he’ll ‘f**king murder ya’, we try to
suppress the chuckle building in our chest. As a result, we make a
noise that we’ve never made before – a sound that conveys a whole
range of meaning, from ‘that was really nice, Nemanja’ right the
way through to ‘please don’t kill me’.

We need not have worried, of course, because off the pitch the
central defender is a gentle giant – and also a darts fan, hence the
singing.

With his shaven head and, er, omnidirectional nose, he’d probably fit
right in with the raucous crowd at the Lakeside – although you’re
not likely to see him there holding up a Ladbrokes sign and necking
a pint of Foster’s.

We’re speaking to him in another unlikely location – the ramshackle
dugout of a local football club on the outskirts of Manchester, where
he’s spent the morning doing a photoshoot.

It’s a world away from the glittering lights of Old Trafford, where
United will start their Champions League campaign next Tuesday.

In a way, it suits him; the Serbian is not your typical hardman off
the pitch (his love of the ‘arrers’ aside), but he’s no preening
Premier League prima donna either – he turns up to our interview
early, for one thing. Still, the relative smallness of the surroundings
grant this giant centre-back an aura to match his 6ft 4ins frame.

It is that presence that makes the 31-year-old so valuable to the
Premier League champions going into his eighth full season at the
club.

Like most who thrived under the Alex Ferguson regime, Vidic is a
staunch company man. It’s evident in the way he quickly corrects
himself when telling us about a training ground visit from Phil
Taylor and some other darts legends, and accidentally refers to the
ground by its pre-sponsorship name of Carrington – before
amending it to the “Aon Training Centre” with a wry smile.

As he answers our questions in accented and occasionally broken
English, he’s positive, if a little vague, about the changes at Old
Trafford under David Moyes .

coogar: moyes was successful because of what he achieved at everton in spite of his shoe-string budget. he consistently finished above their merseyside neighbours. i agree his success at everton does not necessarily mean he would do well at united but that remains to be seen.

were there other managers better than him tactically? yes, of course. however, he was chosen because he epitomises stability - which was one of sir alex's ethos. the decision makers don't want a scattergun like mourinho or ancelotti who would soon get bored of united & then move on to other clubs within 3 years.

Well said.

StarBoard: Who said anything about being a cup team?
How many managers presently in the Premiership have actually won the title for you to reach that deduction?
As much as Moyes prioritized the League,where did it get him? Not one exceptional season bar 2004/5.
I made that comparison because someone seemed to allude to the fact that Moyes appeared to be the only candidate available for the position of Manchester United manager.Which I totally disagree with. I pointed to Laudrup simply because he was an example of what prudent management should be like, as against the myth that Moyes was going to do well by default because of his 11 years at Everton where he did "creditably" according to peeps.

I wouldn't say he is the only suitable candidate available for the job. But in the Premier League if you are talking of the younger managers, he is surely the most reasonable choice because of his track record with Everton and experience in the League . Unlike many other managers operating with similar budget, he has been very consistent, constantly finishing top half of the table, while the others go up and down the table like a yo-yo .

Laudrup did well last season , but unless he can repeat such great feat this season and next, he shouldn't be seen as a superior manager to Moyes just yet. We have seen managers and teams come to the Premiership, do incredibly well only to fade away subsequently. So let him prove himself to be more than a one-season wonder manager and then we can revisit this debate .


Regarding Moyes having only one exceptional season. It is a bit misleading to say that , not without putting into context at least . For me he has had numerous great seasons with one absolutely brilliant season. How on earth do you expect Everton to constantly break into the top 4 with the budget they are on?. When you consider the teams they are up against,(Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and then Man City and Tottenham and to lesser extent Newcastle) it is virtually impossible to achieve.

IyawoTM: @Kslib
Nothing o I dey follow una, but I no do ghost anything. I vex small time as una make me pass 1800, 1818. So una dey do "LOVE BOAT", and "SHOW ME PICTURE, SHOW ME PICTURE" prolong this thread
Make una carry go sha, G forbid that I shud put asunder any potential hookup after all me I don get my own

@ all
Miss u guys. Ochon, itsmodella, c'est moi, Yinkade, SOM, AndreRush, The Amaka, Dannyx, HiteeLong, kejihbeau, drama, et al I hail o!
Very very special shout out to Ella B, na u be the koko of this thread, tnx for the pics, and actual post bb updates. Ure my heroine n d reason I come back every time.

Your presence is missed here as well. I hope you are doing well.

StarBoard: Dude,
Laudrup won the Capital One Cup in his first season with Swansea. Spent roughly 15 million quid on 5 decent-to-average players. That's convincing enough for me as regards potentioal and definitely better than Gollum who was at Everton for like a decade and only managed one fourth-placed finish and a Cup Final.

Like I said, Fellaini still hasn't achieved a great deal in my opinion. He's been player of the month previously, but so have the likes of Jimmy Bullard, Adam le Fondre and Johan Elmander. So it's no big deal to me.
Let's wait and see where his signing takes us before we start wanking lustfully over him. Like I said, I can bet anything that even you were not enthusiastic about him being signed a month ago. The circumstances surrounding his signing remain mysterious at best, so I'll rather take the cautious route when assessing the possibilities involved.

Would you prefer we became a cup-team rather than a league contender?. Because Swansea and Wigan won cups doesn't mean much in my opinion. Both teams finished below Everton, the latter getting relegated in the process . Everton under Moyes prioritised the league over cup competitions. I think his objective was to finish as high as possible in the league(for financial reasons) rather than prioritising the cup competitions and end up derailing their league campaign, because they just don't have the squad to compete on both fronts.