₦airaland Forum

Screwface: With each passing morning, I dislike David Moyes the more. This man simply does not have the aura of a winner. Absoloutely not.
What the heck was Sir Alex thinking??

If we miss out on Cesc Fabregas, its going to be much more physcological devastating than Wayne Rooney joing chelsea, even if we don't acknowledge it. A player of Cesc quality, rejecting a football brand of this calibre? Just why did we go for this bloke in the first place? To test the waters and get us ridiculed??

To me, David Moyes has not made ONE right move since he came in a forthwhile ago. And if this man doesn't start putting his act together as soon as possible, results where we plunder the likes of Sunderland, Aston Villa, Fullam and their likes, and flatter against a Totteham or a Liverpool team wouldn't be far fetched.

David Moyes kwanu, instill some confidence in us!! Atleast, in me!!!

Abeg cut Moyes some slack jor'... is this the first time players have opted not to join UTD!?

At some point or another during SAF's reign UTD were linked to and made bids for several players, how many of them did we end up buying!?

One thing you should realise about transfers is that the "bidding" doesn't always have control over the situation. Especially when it involves a highly rated player and "big" team. Its like trying to woo a very beautiful, much sought after dame!

Besides it isn't the end of the transfer window yet. So chill out!

Looking forward to the new season...

former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen now manager of Anzhi after Hiddink steps down!

dademola: *yinmu*. D same mou dt ramos was snitching, and he (ramos) wasnt dropped, instead, he kept on playing, and was even made to deputize as club captain in casillas' absence.

Yeah right. He "snitched" to you abi...or you were there when he was "snitching", abegi!

elampiro: He was not launching any rebellion against his club but frustrations were still expressed yesterday. "The position I play for England is the one I like playing most," Rooney said. "I haven't played that position for a while for United. Of course it's the manager's choice but I've always said my best position is playing up front. So I'm enjoying doing that.

"When you're playing out on the left, you have responsibilities to get back and defend. Sometimes that does take away a bit of energy from your attacking. But with England you can get your rest at times by swapping with Steven [Gerrard]. That allows you to get forward as well. But I'm happy to play where I'm playing." ..........

So Rooney should now dictate to the club where he wants and does not want to play abi!!?
With the bolded, he has already indicted himself... so because playing as left-winger is too demanding, he wants to runa away from the "responsibilities" - shey you now see why Giggs was preferred in Madrid!

elampiro: 1b. From the above you will see Rooney has said his best position is playing in the middle just behind the top 9. He has also repeated on several occasions ever since that his best position is the lead role or the attacking man behind the top man. But SAF has always played him more on the left of the attack, and even sometimes right. If you consider that he performed excellently well when he was eventually given the forward role, then you will understand his frustration in not continuing that role..

Big, fat lie!
Rooney playing behind Van Persie is the reason why Kagawa hardly ever starts a game for UTD. So where are the grounds for his complaints? How many matches did he start from the wing when Nani, Young, Valencia were available?

elampiro: Messi and Ronaldo are playing their best/choice roles in their clubs. I think this is the bone of contention. If any coach dare play Ronaldo in an off position, hell will break loose. How can you use your player with the best scoring record in knockout stage of UCL to mark CR7 and Di Maria while you play attack with RVP and Welbeck who have poor scoring record at the stage?

You don't get it, do you!? RVP is now the "star man" in UTD. It used to be Rooney...but not anymore! So RVP is to UTD what CR7 and LM10 are to their respective clubs.
The only frustration I see Rooney has, is the fact that RVP has, in one season kpe're, overtaken, over-shined and over-shadowed him as UTD's poster-boy!

elampiro: 2. How is Morinho more ruthless than SAF in dealing with players? SAF sent packing Beckham and Stam, saw off Nilsterooy and Kean. Mourinho culdn't have been able sack Casilas. SAF knows he is the cause of Rooney's saga with the way he has used him, so he has to be patient with the situation.

I won't even go down this lane with you. A Mourinho that can sub and bench a player because of one mis-placed pass is not more ruthless than SAF!!? You speak from one side; what of players Mourinho has frozen out for crossing his path or not meeting up with his demands - Kaka, Quaresma, Sneijder, Van Der Vaart, Shevy, Crespo, Pizzaro, Parker... no try, the list is potentially endless!

elampiro: 3. Your comment about CR7 is not explanatory enough. However I want to clear you that Mourinho categorically said CR7 doesn't take instruction. You said what CR7 was offering was satisfactory enough? How much is that enough when compared to the satisfaction Barca players and fans get from Messi. Messi is more of a team player than CR7, without team work you can hardly win games. There are times some people are carried away with quest for individual glory than team glory.

Don't even try to twist that comment - Mourinho said CR7 was not listening to the advices/criticisms offered that could make him a better player than he already is! Here is the quote from that interview - "I had only one problem with him, very simple, very basic, which was when a coach criticizes a player from a tactical viewpoint trying to improve what in my view could have been improved. And at that moment he didn't take it very well because maybe he thinks he knows everything and the coach cannot help him to develop more"

So don't twist it to make it sound like CR7 was disobedient and not playing to his managers instructions!

elampiro: 4. The way you guys say Rooney was poor last season baffles me. Someone with 12 goals and 10 assist from off position? Rooney works selfishly for the team and chase backwards tirelessly. Only Welbeck does this workaholic stuff better, and only last season. I am yet to see any calibre of strikers in United that will warrant Rooney not getting one of the two central attacking slots- Top 9 or the support striker. The only reason that can happen is where there are gaps in the team and the coach feels from his list of players, Rooney can fill the gaps in the deep. If you play someone like Lewandosky or RVP or Messi out of position regularly, their agents or advisors can humbly request the club to free them to where they can play in their natural/preferred positions before their career suffer a decline. It is just a private talk at the beginning to remedy what he feels is wrong. It is now left to the club to say, ''no, you can do it again upfront'', but this is not the case. It was just a tactical decision based on vacuum in our midfield. I hope that explains it well.

I don't need your explanations. This is a very clear-cut case; clear as daylight - he has a contract with the club that doesn't include him dictating to others what he wants or prefers.
Since his agents know what is best for him, he can humbly follow their advice. Thankfully UTD is in a position where they can afford to lose Rooney and not suffer profoundly unlike in 2010 when he got that pay-rise.

elampiro: I believe SAF is more a no nonsense manager than Mourinho.

Mourinho said CR7 wasn't taking instructions to improve his game and felt he knew it all. Why was he not able to punish him?

At times outsiders don't know the whole truth and an employee disciplinary or loyalty record. Now we just got to hear that Wenger has tried to lure Carrick twice in the past. The day Carrick will want to go now it will look like he is greedy. Before 2010 we outsiders can't tell how much teams have tried in the past to lure Rooney with heavy pay which he probably refused. No one knows how Rooney approaches SAF in his requests. Some children know how to get things from their parents better than others. The approach matters.

Dude. Mourinho is a hundred times more "ruthless" than SAF!

In respect to whatever Mourinho said about CR7 - can you compare it to the magnitude of this Rooney saga!? Did Mourinho ever hint that CR7 disobeyed him or refuse to play to instruction or at a position Mourinho assigned him to!?
Look at the bolded portion, CR7 wasn't "improving his game as well as the manager thought he could" but yet what he was offering to his team was satisfactory enough.
The same Mourinho relegated Casillas to the bench abi, why!? Because his form had dipped (according to Mourinho). Casillas means more to Spain as a nation than Rooney does to you...in fact Casillas is something of "god" in Madrid but he was dropped and the whole world didn't come clattering down.

From all indications, Rooney is not happy to play second fiddle to anybody but he has, all of a sudden, failed to realise that he has to earn that right to be the "top-dog"!

Why was he our "main man" before? Because he worked hard, played very well and earned it! Last season, he was not at the top of his game, hence he was left out sometimes. If he wants to be the "main man" in UTD again, surely he knows what to do.

Small competition from RvP and he is already quivering...so what if CR7 comes back to UTD nkor?

elampiro: By Sept 1st later, we should know everything. Rooney has not made a public or official statement. Everything is been controlled by the club. Much of media speculation about being unhappy is guess work.

If I will speculate too, it has to be the fact that RVP, Welbeck and Chicha play ahead of him. I think he wants an attack partnership with RVP. I guess. He doesn't want the midfield role.

Fine, lets go with your "speculation" then.

Now, let me ask - if Rooney was playing under a Mourinho for instance; would he have the liver to oppose him (Mourinho) if he (Rooney) was asked to play in another position other than that which he (Rooney) favors!?

ELAMPIRO, COOGAR.

Can we just revert back to the "original" argument?

Now, I ask again - what is Rooney's problem? What does he want? What is he demanding for?

This argument don too much and going off-track sef... oya to bring all and sundry back to the crux of the matter - Elampiro, what is Rooney's problem at UTD? Why is he discontent?

elampiro: You have spoken well except you forgot that he is 25. Some players came in at 19 or 20 and they were already linking up play shaking the greatest teams in the world. They didn't leave the manager in any doubt about their abilities. In many many games he started you don't get to see him except running into offside.

As you very well know - not every player develops at the same pace and not every player is also opportune at ages 18-20 to be a part of the "greatest teams in the world".
Some of the greatest strikers that have graced the EPL and even football in general, couldn't hold the football long enough at their feet to save their own lives; so when did "link-up play" become the defining trait of a successful striker!!? Is Rooney a better "link-up" player than Berbatov?

elampiro: Now you are talking. A developing player is different from an established player when the going gets tough. No one is doubting or contesting what he has done, but he has done such mostly as Super Sub. How much can he play well against teams like City, Barca and Madrid. He is developing but he has not attained that maturity yet. But don't forget too he is not a teenager at all.

Well now that the so-called "established" striker isn't eager to play for us anymore, what do we do? We can either go out and buy another "established" striker or ride our luck with the "developing" striker - I choose the latter. Was any striker born "established"!?
Who says "developing" players cannot give the desired results - or didn't we win EPL when Butt, Scholes, Beckham, Giggs and the Nevilles were still fledglings!?

elampiro:
Does a spare tyre get used more than the regular? No.

Rooney, RVP, Kagawa, Welbeck and Chicharito. Only RVP was used more. Rooney had two injuries in the season, yet he played more than Chicharito who had no injury.

What happened between SAF and Rooney were just mind games. SAF was like ''I sent you (Rooney) to do a special assignment for me in Madrid but you wanted another role, I am the boss and no one disrespect me, Ok ou will see that Giggs can do it''. But at the end who lost? Once Rooney gets an away win or draw in UCL knockout, he wins at Old Trafford.

He is such a genius.

If Rooney is half the genius you claim, he wouldn't need you to be blowing his trumpet this hard and loud... CR7, LM10 - now these are examples of "genius" with a capital G!

SailorXY: All you guys saying Chicharito's link up play can't give him first team football or he is a sitting duck in the box are just like teachers who choose to notice no improvement at all from a student cuz their first meeting with the student was not good enough, even when the improvement is glaring. Chicharito & Rafael are the two currently rapid developing players in Man Utd now. Premier league defences fear Chicharito more than any EPL forward, even SAF said he has done nothing to merit sitting on the bench. For keen observers it was clear from last season displays, that Chicharito is adding a lot of dimension to his game. Add that to the fact he is willing to learn & improve and doesn't shy away from competition, doesn't whine but is very patient for his chance, then we have a real gem on our hands.
Fellaini+Modric can give us the right balance & will be a good choice as it now stands.

Nice one Sailor.

People yarn as though strikers come staright out from the womb with the ability to "link play"; how else will Hernandez improve that link-up play aspect of his game if he doesn't have sufficient time to bond with the other regulars in the side!?
From the looks of things, if Rooney eventually leaves, Chicharito should be the next in line to move up the pecking order and fill that vacancy...not just because he happens to be there, but because even in the short span of time, he has earned it!

elampiro: Mr. man, face reality and not theory or fantasy or imaginary football.

Your theory has proven Chacharito is better than RVP. RVP that is nominated for European best this year.

Secondly, the owners of Chelsea and Arsenal have said they will pay Rooney. So you think Rooney will quit his two years 250k/week left on his current contract and join Chelsea or Arsenal? Who does that? However, the REALITY today is that Rooney is earning higher than RVP and Chicharito while other clubs are looking to keep him on the same salary or even more.

Here is another dose of reality you're not seeing... today, with his 250k, he is nothing but our SPARE TYRE - live with it!

Chicharito scored 10 goals in 22 appearances (mostly as a sub)... I don't think there is any need to further elaborate the endless stretch of possibilities if he spent more time on the park!

I wish Tito better health and success in his battle with cancer.

Unfortunately for Tito, the one thing I will always remember him for is failing woefully in your duty as manager, leader and motivator. On a night when FCB, under your reign, would have attained "immortality"; on a night when the "craziest of the craziest" football fans believed... you off all people did not and you let your side slump to a disgraceful defeat without as much as whimper. For his sake, I do hope he does not give up the fight for his life like he gave up on FCB on the night they needed his voice, presence and spirit the most!

montelik: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/10189071/Wayne-Rooney-has-only-himself-to-blame-as-departure-from-Manchester-United-to-Chelsea-seems-inevitable.html

Very well written article...Rooney has only himself to blame, period!

It is just amazing some of the responses here...no rationale at all.

How are the killers and supporters of the killing any different from the Boko Haram sect we chastise everyday!!?

elampiro: CR7 waited for one year to wear the number 7 shirt at Madrid. Raul was given his due respect. Rooney will start every single United big match when not injured. Forget Moyes' comment. Rooney will only be sit out in Carling cup, FA cup and UCL group stage matches should we qualify early.

Raul was given his due respect abi!!?

We'll soon give Rooney his own "due respect" - just wait and see!

elampiro: Spare tyre? Exactly what I meant that Moyes vomited unguided statement. He said Rooney would play behind but will move up if RVP injures. But see the interpretation here and there.

Casillas is an entirely different situation entirely - he had beef with JM and that is mainly why he was dropped - he is justified to feel pained in this regard.

It happens everywhere, when there is a change in guard and Rooney has to live with it or bail out.

Berbatov came to UTD a star and we turned him into a sub. Even in his best season, he was still a "spare tyre"

"The Prince", Raul Gonzalez had to be shipped out to make room for a certain C.Ronaldo - can you imagine? They literally took the No.7 shirt off Raul's back - a shirt that should be in retirement now sef - and handed it to C.Ronaldo.

Fernando Torres nkor'?

Abeg, abeg, abeg, abeg...who the f*ck is Wayne Rooney that he can't be relegated to the background!?

In 2010, UTD was like the "country of the blind" where a one-eyed man could be king. This is 2013, no such nonsense!

He may have had his shortcomings towards the end of his tenure, but God bless Sir Alex for splashing the cash on Robin... truely they say what a Baba sees sitting down, the likes of elampiro will not even if they climb everest!

So this is how this small boy would be trying to hold the club to ransom every season? We have RVP and Chicharito!

I will like to see Rooney go to a rival EPL club; UTD will rub sh.y.te all over his face by winning the title again and again. Bloody Arrow!

Whatever happened to voting for personality!

I think Barca will sell Fab if we showed considerable interest...forget Wenger; if he could sell RVP, he could sell Arsenal itself - all it takes is one call for Baba and Wenger will gladly take his money and walk!

I hope Rooney's return from the tour is in preparedness to be sold...I do not care to whoever!!!

[quote author=A-40]Can you dominate Europe with that midfield? That's the big question[/quote]On paper, we cannot...
but teams have done with far less renowned names - or you want to tell me the bulk of the Bayern/Dortmund superstars of today were big-name players four, five years ago!!?

dayokanu: Rumours that Thiago Alcantara might be moving to Bayern.

Whats going on with Nigga Pep Guardiola

I hope its false though

Reports have it that Pep promised the lad more playing time than UTD+FCB can offer because Javi Martinez will be pushed into CB most games... I am loving this!

Are you sure "Agent Pep" is out to revenge for what y'all did to his beloved FCB?

I really do not care if Monsieur Moyes decides not to do any transfer market dealings - for me, what makes some of UTD's successes (mainly domestic) even sweeter is the fact that the quality or lack of it in the team will have been x-rayed, reviewed, blow-out and dissected; but yet somehow the team prevails.

Maybe it is a psychological thing...maybe the opposition look at us and write us off because they feel they have "more in the tank".

I won't fret sha because I still reckon that, barring injuries and form dips, that squad is still large enough with enough quality to deliver.

Is it the CM/DM axis...Jones, Carrick, Anderson, Cleverly, Kagawa, Rooney (??), Fletcher (?), Powell (?) are available to fill in there. In short, I'm just not bothered!

So, reading novels etc is...

The gaffer knows best...no shaking as far as I'm concerned!

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/jim-white/moyes-holds-aces-talks-rooney-agent-123829037.html

Interesting piece on the whole Rooney matter. I love this bit in particular...

"Most prefer their heroes to take the approach of the incomparable Paul Scholes, who kept his negotiations private and dignified."

There are rumors that Evra may leave; if that is so, Baines isn't a bad option - me, I wouldn't mind having him - at the very least, that guarantees a couple of goals from free-kicks.

thegoodjoehunt: This was a very tough game. I'll give it to Prandelli for dominating the midfield. For once, I was scared for Spain.

After Nigeria was able to battle for the ball against Spain and got a 42% possession. Italy took it further, pressed harder and forced Spain to resort to long balls. Totally agqinst the tiki taka philosophy.

The Martinez change shifted the flow of the game. It was basic and I wonder why it took Bosque so lojg t se it.

The future of th tiki taka football style is the false 9. I can't wait for the final.

I disagree...Spain never resorted to long balls; and the introduction of Navas, rather than Martinez tilted the momentum towards Spain - especially at the tail end when legs were tired - Navas vs Chiellini + Giacherrini = No contest. A different player other than Pique in those advanced positions and this game would never have made it to extra-time.