A catchy slogan is one thing, but it will never make up for the type of bold strategies that put Manchester United on their pedestal. United became a part of Europe’s elite because, in Sir Alex Ferguson, they had a manager who knew when to gamble, when to risk and when to all-out go for it."
Such was the starting quote of Martin Samuel's column in the Daily Mail. I agree. Manchester City remind me of people with cheater's syndrome; those who spend more time trying to cheat instead of just studying the subject. In City's case, they spend all of their time taunting United, spending vulgar amounts of money, erecting ridiculous billboards, and what do they have to show for it? NOTHING. Instead of concentrating on trying to be United (which they will never achieve, as Martin alluded to above), they should put their energy into playing good football.
The Manchester derby, played on Wednesday, was a snoozer. Meeting at the Eastlands (affectionately known as Middle Eastlands by United fans) for the first leg this season, United were the better side and played good footy...but just couldn't find the net. Frankly, I was happy with the 0-0 draw, which meant we lost two points to leaders Chelscum and allowed Arsenal to inch closer, but we still retained our second-place standing. Losing to the Blue Whiners would have been disastrous.
Many of the columnists who wax footy for a living noted that United drew in a tough derby despite being depleted of some of its best players (Rooney, Valencia, et al). Michael Owen, who was last year's derby hero was also out with injury, so there was no last-minute heroics...even from Chicharito.
The two sides will meet again this year at Old Trafford, and I predict the Reds will be firing on all cylinders by then and leave the trophyless also-rans in the dust.
MOLDE GETS THEIR MAN
Nothing is forever.
Over the years, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given his all to Manchester United. First as a player, and then as a valued manager of our Reserves. With success comes notoriety. And it was a given that he would be spotted by someone else and asked to step up to the next level. His old club, Norwegian side FK Molde, have asked just that.
On Monday Ole was introduced as Molde's new manager, starting in January. I feel pride mixed with sadness. He's been such a solid player/coach/person that you hate to see him leave United. I was so happy that he had been given the chance to mold (no pun intended here) our youth players. He has always been a consummate professional and a fantastic role model.
We will miss him, but I'm happy that he's been given the opportunity. I'm sure he will make United proud!
2OLEGEND!!
Ole strolls out during his Old Trafford testimonial
(sorry for Trollvez being in the photo)
BLANC SAYS: "Il m'a beaucoup s'il vous plait."
French NT manager and former United Centre-back, Laurent Blanc, hinted that he might be interested in taking the United managerial job once Sir Alex retires. The two have a great relationship and respect for each other and Blanc's managerial style mirrors that of his former boss.
"Sir Alex is the cornerstone of Manchester United," Blanc told Reuters. "He personifies Manchester's project, he's got this passion. It would be a very interesting, although a very tough challenge but maybe interesting if he is the one starting it [his replacement's process] with me or someone else. But I could be interested."
"It would please me a lot. But it would be tough to find a successor to Sir Alex. He has done it for 24 years and it will not be easy. For now, I am not in that [United] project. I have another challenge."
Blanc with former boss Sir Alex and the Prem League trophy!
Personally, I would jump for joy if that happened. I don't want Sir Alex to retire, but he will eventually and Blanc would fit in perfectly.
Others have clamored for the job, most notably the mercenary manager Jo-Jo MourinHO. But some feel he wouldn't be right for the job:
“I would hate for anyone to take this the wrong way but I don’t see him here,” he said. “He’s got a talent but maybe if he ever came here the philosophy of youth football might never be the same again.”-- Sir Bobby Charlton
“Attacking football is a vital part of the club’s heritage,” he said. “For me, Jose Mourinho is too cautious in his approach to the game to be manager.”--Bryan Robson
I agree with Sir Bobby and Bryan, but my main reason for not wanting him is that I don't think he's that great of a manager. Yes, you say I'm crazy for that comment, but hear me out.
He's won the Champions League with Porto and Internazionale, and two Prem League titles with Chelscum (but no Champions League), and now that he's at RM people think he will win titles there.
BUT...
Show me a club he's managed where his managerial skills have taken a poor, lifeless club and made them into a winner...
I'm waiting.............*crickets chirping*............still waiting.
He hasn't.
He has always jumped from one already-successful team to another. And all of them were very well-funded. So is that really the manager who is doing the job? I don't think so.
Laurent Blanc took a mediocre Bordeaux, who hadn't won anything in ages, and made them Coupe de France champions and then Ligue 1 Champs. He did this with young players that he identified and molded into winners. Marouane Chamakh, who now plays for Arsenal, said that Blanc was responsible for making him who he is today. The former manager of Bordeaux wouldn't play Chamakh and the French-Moroccan thought his career would dwindle. But Blanc saw something in him and made Chammy into a winner. THAT IS WHAT A REAL MANAGER WOULD DO.
To me a manager shouldn't be a loud-mouthed, blowhard like J-Mo, who relishes being the center of attention. A good manager lets his players do the talking on the pitch. According to Mourinho, HE'S the one who has won all of the championships in the past, not his players. ME ME ME is not what Manchester United is about.
Part of Sir Alex' success is that he's been at United for 24 years. JoJo Mou-ho doesn't have lasting power...he would be off in a few years. We want someone like Sir Alex.
SAY NO TO MOURINHO!
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:
"I don't care if you've cut your hair, you still look like a troll!" Tell him, Rafael!!!
Go on, Rafael...smack him! Too late...the troll scurried off
DE-NIED!!!!! VDS is the man.
Disgusting. With the world economy in the toilet and Spain's unemployment OVER 20%, you would think a club with a modicum sense of decency would not highlight the fact that its players make vulgar amounts of money and live the high life while their "fans" and the rest of Spain are hoping they can feed their families this week.
But then RM is not a smart club. So this week they put on their yearly vulgar display by rolling out brand new Audis that were given to their players (all of whom can afford the over-priced luxury car). Disgusting.
You might be interested to know that Audi is also a sponsor of Manchester United. Have you ever seen this disgusting display at Old Trafford? I rest my case.
I haven't had a Lashes photo on my blog in a while. By the look on his face he seems genuinely happy to have graced my page once again!
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