₦airaland Forum

StarBoard: It still does not negate the fact that it is still a pre-season friendly and not much should be read into performances.

August 16 is less than a month from now. We will see what he is really made of.
I am not doubting Herrera's quality. i am only saying he has to bed in to the style of play in the Premiership, and we know that the Spainards in general take time before coming into their own when it comes to the Premiership.
LA Galaxy will struggle to beat Burnley FC.

Your last line spoilt it.

Don't we struggle against Burnley? But it is shocking the way many guys here have been writing off L A Galaxy. Some said it's only Galaxy. This is same Galaxy I saw their preseason last Summer.

Now let me open people's eyes. L A Galaxy are renowned for playing grade a friendly where opponents feature full strength teams. They have a good record against European teams. 8 wins, 14 draws and 6 losses. They have only lost twice to English teams out of 5. The first was against Chelsea in 2007. I haven't checked the comprehensive results but see recent results below:
..................


2013 International cup.

Real Madrid 3 Galaxy 1
Isco, Benzema (2)

Juventus 1 L A Galaxy 3

L A Galaxy 0 A C Milan 2
.....................



2012
Galaxy 1 Spurs 1 (Bale)

1-5 Madrid. Di Maria, Higuain, Jese among the scorers.
....................



2011
L A Galaxy 1 vs Man City 1 (Balotelli, penalty)

City won 7-6 on penalties after Hart heroic display.

City: Hart, Richards, Clichy (Kolarov 46), Lescott, Kompany (Savic 61), De Jong, Barry (Weiss 77), A Johnson (Guidetti 82), Silva (Wright-Phillips 46), Balotelli (Milner 31), Dzeko (Suarez 88)
....................


In 2007, EPL champions Chelsea won 1-0.

chrisley024: Is that Elampiro? Elymaximus?

No.

Is it not the guy who was happy to have find this thread. And you guys didn't welcome him or give a damn if anyone had arrived.

psalmdave: comin 2 wonder while these our best players cudnt deliver a a chelsea side,even with a victory,chelsea always dominated a midfield includin keane nd scholes...henandez has been our only player against chelsea,my point is im hopin van gaal changes our attidude towards chelsea,no matter hw bad chelsea has been,manutd has never been able 2 play them,even games we beat them,u find them dominatin us,its 1 tin m hopin van gaal changes,chelsea nd city bullied even ferguson...i hope van gaal nt only brings us back 2 glory,but change our attidue towards big sides!

They didn't always dominate. The league game at Stamford Bridge in 2006/7 season even without regulars. We beat them silly when Mourinho ran away in 2007/8. Even in the UCL at Old Trafford. There are a couple more. But they have been better in 3 seasons in a row now.

afrodoc: 3412 is not a naturally easy formation to learn ESPECIALLY for wingbacks.
Hopefully shaw and rafael would improve with time

On that formation, it looks to me Valencia owns the RWB.

I am reading today's posts (catch up reading), I had to say this to Starboard before I read on.


Even if Man United were to play against Okomu oil FC, Carrick cannot give the performance Herrera gave last night. You saw that guy control balls under tight marking and in difficult situations. Even when the pass to him is bad, he quickly makes the ball his 100%. When our players looked like running into problem whether in the middle or attack, they turned to Herrera. When he was in midfield we saw Scholes. When he drove forward we saw Silva.

You may be right that its too early to judge, but I don't know how such abilities can disappear from him. Remember, we had Rooney, Mata, Kagawa on the pitch.

22/07/2014 19:20, Report by J Tuck, A Bostock in Los Angeles

Early preparations please van Gaal

Louis van Gaal has been delighted with the players’ response to his methods in the training sessions he has presided over as Manchester United manager so far.

The new Reds boss says his squad have been committed and eager to impress in pre-season preparations so far on tour in the USA.

Speaking at a press conference at Los Angeles' Rose Bowl, ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against LA Galaxy, van Gaal said: "I have to say that it has been fantastic.

"Maybe you think every coach who is new should say that but I mean it. They are anxious to follow the instructions of my assistants. The focus I have seen in the training sessions is top-level, but we have to see if the performance is top-level.

"But I am very happy with the labour of my players in the days I have been with them."

Nevertheless, van Gaal admits his team, who are only three days into the tour, are not near their fitness peak and he therefore expects a tough challenge on Wednesday against a Galaxy side in the middle of their league campaign.

"We have analysed Galaxy and I expect a very organised and tactical team that are aggressive in attack and want to press," he said.

"They are already in the rhythm of the season and we started three days ago. We are not well prepared or fit yet, but I hope we can give a good performance."


http://www.manutd.com/en/Tour-2014/Tour2014News/2014/Jul/louis-van-gaal-pleased-with-early-manchester-united-training-sessions.aspx?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=ManUtd

Ed Woodward just give an interview on MUTV and here are a few of his quotes:

"Manchester United is not only the biggest Football club, it's the biggest sports club in the world. I get to watch Manchester United every single week, that's the best part of my job.

"I want us to strive to win, I want the best players in the world to be joining United not clubs in Spain, I'm prepared"

"No question United can attract the A lister players. Every fan wants a transfer, I get that, reality is there is lots of media speculation."

"We're moving forward on some of our targets. Our financial strength allows us to do things in the transfer market that other clubs cannot do. There is no fixed budget, funds are available.

"The reality is there will be a number of players who will be leaving.

"I've been working with Louis with regard to targets and we’re continuing to move forward on some of those targets. There's a lot of work going on behind the scenes, so watch this space!"

MUFC

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra will officially be confirmed as a new Juventus player on Monday after reportedly agreeing a two-year contract with the Serie A side.

According to Italian publication Gazetta dello Sport, Evra agreed personal terms with Juventus after the Italian champions and United finalised a deal.

Gazzetta also say a financial offer to Vidal from Manchester United of around €6m a year would likely be unmatchable by Juventus and therefore the club would sit down for sale talks. The price now put at a reasonable sounding €45m, which is around £35m.

Comments from Vidal have pushed the transfer rumour along nicely. He has had repeated chances to kill the story dead and has done quite the opposite.

Juventus boss Beppe Marotta last week also left the door open. Marotta made it clear that Vidal's future was all down to his own choices, that it was the footballer who would decide where he played. Marotta, just like Vidal, had the chance to kill the rumour dead and he didn't take it.

Alternatively, Juventus may be genuinely trying to entice Manchester United into making a bid.

[Source: Sport Witness, Metro, Gazetta dello Sport, El Mercurio, Daily Express]

Good news.

When many (Nigeria) men marry, they stop playing football, trekking and jovial. They think it is irresponsible to play football with youths or teenagers. Class comes in, and they only move around in cars. Only attending activities that keep them seated for hours, like weddings, burials, clan meetings, birthdays, etc

That's the primary problem. The rest are secondary.

Now wey Brown Ideye don go EPL, we go dey see am well well now.

If no be Higuain and that yeye guy wey get one long hair for he augo like shaolin tempo pupil, wey dem squander chances in the world cup final, this comparison for no come.

Vidic was the one who gave Barca the upper hand in 2009. Man United was in control and pressed high, with CR7 coming close to scoring at least twice. Barca scored from their first attack when Etoo dibbled Vidic in what was so shocking to me. After that, Barca came out of their shell.

Ferdinand won the 2012/13 league without Vidic, despite Rafael and Evra always overlapping to expose Ferdi and Evans.

Good luck.

Arturo Vidal has left the door wide open for a move to Manchester United with his latest comments on his future.

Vidal, 27, told ADN Radio Chile he was unsure whether he’d stay at Juventus but said he’d remain fully committed if it was to happen.

He said: “You can’t say I’ve completed a cycle at Juve. If I stay, I intend to continue doing things well.

"It's difficult to speak of other teams when you are already at a top club, I have won the Serie A title three times and I respect my team-mates.

"I have heard about the interest shown by Real Madrid and Manchester United in me but there is my agent who deals with this.

"Once I arrive to Italy I will speak to the coach and see what happens.

"Now the only thing on my mind on is that I have seven or eight days of holiday left and I want to go away from Chile in order to have a good rest."

[Source: La Cuarta, ADN Radio, thepeoplesperson.com, goal.com]

chrisley024: So they earn highest in their national team?

You brought the world cup/goal scoring comparison. You left the topic at hand completely.

chrisley024: It's also a pity u always screen this thread for the mention of the name 'Rooney'. I'm beginning to think he pays u for this job.
Anyone that speaks against him is your enemy. SMH!

I know every intention behind every move, every post. Also when the mod decides to shut me out with a spamboat....

Giroud is among the worst strikers in every stat out there. His CCC, his shots per goal inside the box, his chances created...

.....
I saw this:

Inside the box conversion rates are as follows

Balotelli: 8 for 57 = 14.0%

Giroud: 16 for 90 = 17.8%

Benzema: 15 for 82 = 18.3%

Mandzukic: 18 for 74 = 24.3%

Cavani: 15 for 75 = 20%

Keky: Since Giroud came to England, Rooney is yet to out score him. And Giroud is useless.

* Giroud is a lone striker for Arsenal.

* Rooney did not play as a striker even for a single match in 2012/13

* Rooney played less than 10 matches in the striker role for Man United in 2013/14

* Rooney scored at about 2 goals per match from the striker's role when he was given the run of games last season.

* Rooney and Giroud did not have same playing minutes.




Don't start what you cannot finish. Rooney plays same role as Ozill does for Arsenal. Rooney sometimes play in the midfield. I don't know the club you support, just incase.

Warlord3000: Abeg wetin com happen to the Brazil Christ the redeemer statue as u talk say lightning break the hand..

Cos the hand wey I see for Sunday world cup final dey kampe ooo..

I guess dem join am back

Workers conclude repairs on Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio following storm damage

Published July 11, 2014

Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO –  Brazil's famous Christ the Redeemer statue has been fitted with new gear to protect it from future storms.

Rio de Janeiro Archbishop Orani Tempesta on Friday presided over a ceremony marking the end of repairs that were made to the 98-foot-tall (30-meter-tall) hilltop figure.

ADVERTISEMENT

The repair project began six months ago after lightning damaged two fingers on the statue as well as its head. Crews installed new lightning rods as part of the $850,000 project.

Tourists were able to visit the statue during the repair work. The site's spectacular views of Rio make it one of Brazil's most popular attractions.

The statue was inaugurated in 1931 and underwent a $4 million renovation in 2010.



http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/07/11/workers-conclude-repairs-on-brazil-christ-redeemer-statue-in-rio-following/

Workers conclude repairs on Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio following storm damage

Published July 11, 2014

Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO –  Brazil's famous Christ the Redeemer statue has been fitted with new gear to protect it from future storms.

Rio de Janeiro Archbishop Orani Tempesta on Friday presided over a ceremony marking the end of repairs that were made to the 98-foot-tall (30-meter-tall) hilltop figure.

ADVERTISEMENT

The repair project began six months ago after lightning damaged two fingers on the statue as well as its head. Crews installed new lightning rods as part of the $850,000 project.

Tourists were able to visit the statue during the repair work. The site's spectacular views of Rio make it one of Brazil's most popular attractions.

The statue was inaugurated in 1931 and underwent a $4 million renovation in 2010.



http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/07/11/workers-conclude-repairs-on-brazil-christ-redeemer-statue-in-rio-following/

Did Lightning Really Strike Vatican After Pope's Resignation?

February 12, 2013; 9:40 AM

News hit the Net yesterday afternoon that lightning had struck The Vatican twice, just hours after Pope after Pope Benedict XVI's sudden resignation. As a lightning photographer and weather photo hoax buster, I investigated to see if the photo was real.

When the picture first started circulating on Facebook, Meteonetwork Puglia e Basilicata ONLUS (a division of Associazione MeteoNetwork Onlus) and commenting members of the Facebook page thought that the photo might be faked (loose internet translation here), because the strike didn't seem to reflect on the dome, because it didn't seem to make close contact with it, and because there was no reflection on the wet street below (see annotated image). Since many photos you see on Social Media are faked, or at least re-purposed, I was immediately suspicious as well.



However, when it was announced later in the day that the photographer was an Italian professional photographer Filippo Monteforte, the photo was transmitted by AFP, and BBC ran a video of the lightning strike, this quelled most of the controversy. If you look closely in the video (embedded above), you can see something I've noticed dozens of times when filming lightning -- the initial stroke of lightning is often too bright and overexposes the photo. But lightning strikes through its channel rapidly, dozens of times, and the last few strokes (what we see as "fading" provide the opportunity to get a clear shot of the bolt, with minimal reflection on nearby surfaces. For this reason, I believe the photo is plausible, and since it was taken by a professional, with potential video to back it up, I'd say that the photo is legitimate.

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Archived lightning strike data is not easy to come by in foreign countries, but certainly multiple Facebook users viewing the photo confirmed that a thunderstorm was present in Rome Monday afternoon, on the edge of a powerful storm system that brought snow to much of the country. A request to the Worldwide Lightning Network didn't turn up any lightning data, but they don't measure 100% of lightning. CORRECTION 5 PM: An amended request did confirm lightning in the area. Most importantly, official weather observations from CIAMPINO Ciampino, Rome, do indicate that there was a thunderstorm for approximately 3 hours in Rome yesterday:
http://m.accuweather.com/en/weather-blogs/weathermatrix/did-lightning-really-strike-vatican-after-popes-resignation/6050437

Don't you people read news? These are very real. At least, I read about three of them when they happen as they were reported around the world. I remember vividly about the Vatican City and Statue in Brazil. The Christ the redeemer statue was repaired during the world cup.

mizjules: Hmmm.
Yeayyy!!! First time I'm making front page... Err back to topic, what is wrong is wrong, I dunno if the priest is scared of hurting their feelings or something. Yea its true we Don't talk to them by commendation, but as a priest it is your duty to advise them, preach to them,pray for them,warn them GoD created man n woman for a purpose not man n man. Blessing their marriage has also made him a part of their sinful act. Most preachers these days Don't preach the truth these days, either they sugarcoat it or they hide it. Smh.. For the sake of HIS sorrowful passion, have MERCY on us and the whole World.

Well said. I guess you are a Catholic?

Manchester United have taken highly-rated Benfica starlets Joao Filipe and Joao Virginia on trial.

Winger Filipe, who has been labelled the "the next Cristiano Ronaldo", and goalkeeper Virginia are regarded as two of the best young talents to emerge in Portugal in recent years.

If the duo impress during their stint at Carrington they could be offered deals to move to Old Trafford on a permanent basis.

[Source: Skysports]

chrisley024: Antonio Conte is off.
Guess that will make Vidal purchase cheaper.

Morata, Evra and Iturbe joining Juve.

Reports in Italy has it that he resigned when United met Juve demand on Vidal, and the reality that Pogba will also depart.

Robin van Persie is relishing the prospect of a well-earned holiday following his World Cup adventure with the Netherlands.

Having flown home from South America, Robin is now looking forward to recharging his batteries while the rest of his United’s team-mates travel around the US for this summer’s Tour 2014.

“I need the three weeks' break, the World Cup has been heavy going for me. I gave everything I had in every single game. That was it - I had nothing left. We worked really hard at the finals, and we are like lemons that have been squeezed dry.”

[Source: manutd.com]

........................

But Robben sounded like he could begin another world cup or compete in a marathon race.

Shares of Manchester United surged almost 5% yesterday after the club announced its new, $130/£75m a year kit deal with Adidas.

Wall Street now affords United an enterprise value of $3.6 billion making them the most valuable team in the world.

Top Shirt Sponsorships:

Team............Sponsor....................Annual Value
Man United...Chevrolet..................$80/£46m
Barcelona.....Qatar Airways...........$45/£26m
B Munich.......Deutsche Telekom...$40/£23m
Real Madrid...Emirates..................$39/£22m
Liverpool.......Standard Chartered.$31£18m
Sunderland...Invest in Africa..........$31/£18m

Top Kit Deals:

Team............Sponsor..........Annual Value
Man United....Adidas............$130/£75m
Arsenal..........Puma.............$51/£30m
Real Madrid...Adidas...........$41/£23m
Liverpool.......Warrior...........$39/£22m
Barcelona......Nike...............$38/£22m
B Munich.......Adidas............$38/£22m

[Source: Forbes]

Louis van Gaal hopes to create greater unity within the squad by ordering his players to eat together every day after training.

It is now compulsory for the United stars to dine with the club’s youth players and coaching staff at Carrington at 1pm. The stricter guidelines came into effect this week before Van Gaal’s much-anticipated arrival at the training ground on Wednesday morning.

The 62-year-old Dutchman spoke at the weekend about his plans to foster the kind of togetherness in the United squad that helped him take Holland to third place at the World Cup in Brazil.

[Source: Daily Mail, ESPN]

Let's move on. The world cup is ended. I don know why FIFA technical committee should now select the winners. A group of 21 ex footballers. It's better in the hands of journalists. This shows FIFA were not at the with the selection of Folan in 2010. But in 2010, my favourite player was Xavi.

But did FIFA announce before the world cup they were changing the rules? Something I will research later.

14/07/2014 08:04, Report by Mark Froggatt

Van Gaal excited by United challenge

Louis van Gaal is relishing the opportunity to manage Manchester United after leading the Netherlands to third place at this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Despite guiding his side to a comfortable 3-0 win over the hosts on Saturday, the 62-year-old Dutchman is refusing to go on holiday and will have just two days off at home before officially taking charge of the Reds this week.

Van Gaal will spend time with his players at the Aon Training Complex before jetting off to California to begin the club’s Tour 2014, presented by Aon. While this might appear a tight schedule, the boss insists he can’t wait for the challenge to begin.

“That is no problem for me, I don't need a holiday,” van Gaal said. “It's great to have such an exciting challenge. To work daily with young people is something that I don't need time off to rest for.

“I'm looking forward to it. I've only met two people from the daily management at the club - the chief scout and the chief executive officer. And I've met two of the owners. It's time that I get to know more people at the club.

“I hope the group in Manchester will become like this [Netherlands] one. We have to sing from the same hymn sheet. I hope at Manchester United I can do my best. I will do my best. Whether that's enough for the fans I will wait and see, but I genuinely hope that will be the case.”

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2014/Jul/Louis-van-Gaal-relishing-chance-to-manage-United.aspx?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=ManUtd