Just read Manure

[longgonestokefan]

have agreed terms with Fulham for Saha. They always get their way, b@sterds.

[marble]

dam right, they know who they want, splash it all over the media, giving the team he plays for no chance of hanging on to him. Fulham said they didnt want to sell him, but united make sure the player knows they are after him.

No such tjing as illegal approaches nowadays
Bastards

[smeegsSCFC]

Off the Saha subject, did you read in the papers yesterday what exuse Fergie gave for thier 1-0 loss to Wolves?...The ref SIDED with Wolves?! Sir Alex, maybe you should watch every other game you have managed before passing judgement! ???

[polofrance]

Saw the game live on French tv, if anything it was their crap delivery into the box that let them down with Ronaldo being the main culprit.
All corners played into the near post and all read by the defence some didn't make the six yard box

When you have 72% OF THE POSSESSION IN THE MATCH you should at least have on or two good chances in a match

Great result though

Polo

[JR]

I couldn't see anything wrong at all with the way Andy D'Urso reffed the game apart from giving Man U the odd 50/50 challenge in their favour.

As for the penalty well Fletcher theatrically fell under a challenge that wasn't even made on him, a scramble to get the ball. Didn't see Fergie complaining last week when the ref admitted to making a mistake in their favour.

Utd were poor and didn't deserve to win. Wolves outplayed Utd at Old Trafford and were beat 1-0, they fully deserved that one IMHO.

Funny but Fergie has moaned this morning about losing Djemba Djemba to the African Nations. mmm.......what a loss that will be.

[adesgonnagetyer]

You've got to say that he's wasted bags of money in the summer.

I'm amazed he hasn't got more flak for his quite awful summer business.

Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson, Bellion and even Ronaldo for the hefty price.

You're looking at £25m for that little lot, and none of them are remotely near first team regulars.

He probably didn't think they would be, but I'm sure he must be pretty shocked they haven't made more of an impact.

Any other manager would be bombarded with criticism for lashing out megabucks on seemingly average chumps like this lot.

Not to mention Forlan, who admittedly has improved, but isn't remotely near a £7m striker.

I just wonder what'll happen when the Nevilles, Giggs and Scholes retire.....or Van Nistelrooy breaks his leg?.

[JR]

He's spent badly in the summer. When you consider who Wenger brings in for a fraction of the money.

Djemba Djemba is nothing short of awful. Bellion was an odd signing. There was a rumour of them signing Eidur Gudjonson last summer who I think would have been a superb buy for them...real intelligent player. he has as you've said, wasted millions.

[Pricey]

I think the problem with criticising Ferguson is that everyone knows what a good manager he has been, so everyone is expecting these players to come good in the end.

For me the jury is still out on all of them. They have all shown promise and it appears to be Ferguson's way to buy players not considered the best the world (Van Nistelrooy for instance) and groom them into what he feels are the best players for his way of playing. Getting rid of Beckham was the biggest mistake he's ever made in management, but he wouldn't go back because Beckham isn't his type of player with regards to lifestyle and image (see Howard, the Neville's, O'Shea, Scholes, Keane and the rest for Ferguson's ideal player make-up).

He's now facing a massive problem with both Real Madrid and Chelsea being able to buy pretty much whoever they want, so I can't see the Manchester United strangle-hold lasting much longer, and I can see Ferguson bowing out in the next couple of years.

Look! This new messageboard has me talking at length about Manchester United- bloody hell!!!

[JR]

He has brought in a lot of bad players as well Pricey. You can't really criticise him as his record speaks for itself but I think this lot look extremely average. Taibi another recent disaster.

Tim Howard was an excellent signing, in all fairness he knew he knew nothing about him, Tony Coton had been watching him but that's what he has these backroom staff personel for.

They do look a weaker side than last year but are still pushing for the title.

Good point re Chelsea/Madrid

[Pricey]

I have to confess to not having a clue what happened with Taibi, Bosnich and Barthez but other than that he's up there with Wenger as far as the number of poor signings go.

I still think they'll win the title this year because they have the psychological edge, but once Chelsea get their act together (at the start of next season surely) there shouldn't really be anything that can stop them.

[JR]

Not so sure Pricey. I think Arsenal are better equipped and aren't losing games. Utd in recent weeks have been beaten at home by Fulham and Saturday at Wolves ....I know they've only lost 3 this season but Arsenal are picking up wins when not at their best.

[Pricey]

I think it's quite strange how Arsenal are only two points ahead having lost none. Man Utd have lost 3 games are still that close!

I'd say it was about 65/35 in Utd's favour just because of past successes.

We'll see how they do without Rio though, I'm not entirely convinced of his ability but he should be quite a big loss to them.

Right, enough of this non-Stoke discussion, revision awaits!

[Macc]

The reason for them still being close is that Arsenal have drawn 7 games compared to Man Us 2 and have actually won 1 game less.

In terms of Man U coping without Rio, did I laugh at the Wes "Orange" school of defending. ;D

Macc

[Pricey]

Of course thats the reason. Bloody hell, I'm not that stupid! ??? ;D

I'd go O'Shea, G. Neville, Silvestre, Fortune personally but it's up to Sir Alex.......

That's enough discussion of Manchester United.