22 October, 2010

Number 10 Does an Aboutface

There aren't too many issues that can rend me speechless, but the events of this past week have done just that.  I've wavered from anger to frustration to bewilderment and back again.  I just couldn't get my head around why a football player who claimed he wanted to stay with a team forever could just up and decide it was time to move on.
This footballer didn't just close the door, but slammed it in the faces of his manager, teammates, and fans.
He claimed that the team "lacked ambition" suitable to his liking, and then proceeded to insinuate that the players he now shares a dressing room with were not fit to play beside him.  Mind you these are the same players who have assisted in his goals, sprayed champagne on him, and hoisted Europe's and the World's biggest trophies with him.
Then the biggest shock of all occurred today when I flipped on the laptop and found out he had signed a new five-year deal with the very club he gutted a few days before.
Lou Macari, a former midfielder, said, "I'm shocked. Nothing's shocked me more in football than this week. I thought this week leading up to today was enough but I just couldn't believe it when I got the news today what had happened.''  I agree with you, Lou.
Then TV analyst and former keeper, Paddy Crerand, added, "No player has ever had the right to question and seek assurances about the current and future Manchester United squad, no matter their talent and let's be honest, there have been far more talented players in the history of Manchester United.''  I'm with you, Paddy.

Did he underestimate the fans' love of the club?  Was he already being courted (tapped up illegally) by another team?  Or was he so dumb that he truly thought he was the biggest deal in the world and could hold his club at gunpoint while everyone stood idly by?  I think it's the latter.  His agent/parasite Paul Stretford (ironic the name, huh?) probably whispered into his ear that he could make more money elsewhere and fans would let him go as they did Cristiano last year.  WRONG.  Firstly, he is no Cristiano.  And the perma-tanned one left after winning an EPL title and finishing as the runner-up in the Champions League. 
Fans were hurt, but in a better mood to allow Ronny to scurry off to VirusTown.  Finishing second in the EPL and losing out in the round of 16 in the CL didn't exactly put the fans in a giddy mood.

So the pen has been put to paper and the deal's been done.  Where do we go from here?
Someone suggested today that United signed him only to make sure they could sell him, instead of losing him to a Bosman free transfer.
I don't think that's true.  United has never been into the mind games...we leave that to C-Club and the rest of the pretenders.
Financial chief David Gill said today that he thought once this was all over and the injury was settled that he would begin scoring again and find his form.
That's hopeful, but we've been saying that all season.  There comes a time when you have to say, "Alright, enough waiting, you need to score TODAY!"
I think the fans have been patient enough with him (as United fans always are), but his scathing statements against the club, and the fans showing up to his house yesterday demanding answers, might be indicative of a deeper wound yet to heal.
Being at odds with players is definitely not the United way, and judging by the banners at the Champions League match last Wednesday, the fans revealed who is truly number one (the club) and it is NOT number 10.
Number 10 apologized to the club, and the players, and attempted to place a band-aid on the hearts of the supporters...only time will tell if he was sincere.  If he isn't, there will be no forgiveness the second time.

If you would like to read the entire statement from Number 10, click here.


SAF and Number 10 all smiles after the contract is signed

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