French Five to FFF Doghouse

The French Football Federation has decided to refer five players to the disciplinary commission  (Evra, Ribery, Anelka, Abidal and Toulalan) for their alleged involvement in the team training strike during the World Cup in South Africa.

The FFF Disciplinary Committee will be responsible for reviewing the case of the five international players on 17 August.

Abidal, Anelka, Evra, Ribery, and Toulalan

The five players have been accused of a "strict liability" on the strike: Evra as captain and vice-captain Ribery, Anelka for his insults against the former coach Raymond Domenech, Abidal for refusing to play the last game of the "Bleus" in the World Cup and Toulalan for writing the press release announcing the strike by the players.

I'm Prophetic!

When I began this blog a year ago, I chose the title of "Cristiano Will Always Be CR7" in part because I was miffed he had left United, and in part because I wanted people to remember where he had made his name...United, not Madrid.  I knew the lad would come in from the cold.

It's been one long year since United sold their talisman, the prolific number 7.  Upon his arrival at RM he was forced to wear the number 7+2, which is the "hallowed" number of RM.  But CR never warmed to the idea of that number, as he had made a name and moniker out of CR7. 
If you want to see inside a footballer's mind, check out the boots.  His boots at United always were stitched with "CR7" on them.  His boots for Portugal the same.  His boots for RM?  "CR"...no 7+2.  So there you have it.
As he took to the pitch (not sure it could be called that, as it was Candlestick Park...home of the 49ers and Giants) tonight in his first match of the year, CR was once again wearing the number he is synonymous with...7.  Raul, or Tutanbaul as the RM disloyals call him, has been adiosed off to the Bundesliga to play with Schalke 04 (I guess 01, 02, and 03 passed on him).  CR has made no secret that he really wanted the 7 when he signed for RM.  But they saddled him with the other number, largely due to the fact that the once iconic wearer of the number is the honorary face of RM (and is wheeled out every time they want to "remember the good old days"...of winning).  What's a guy to do when they do that?  "Ummm...no...I will wait for the 7, so just put nothing on the back of my kit!"  It doesn't work that way....especially at a club that emphasized the bottom line rather than the score line.
It will be interesting to see how the RM "faithful" treat this affront to their history.  Giving up the 7+2?  How outrageous.  Some even commented that CR wasn't fit to wear the 7, as it still belongs to Raul.  CR dismissed this last week with a juicy quote: "I'm sure Raul would want me to have it."  hahahaha
It's more like "Raul wished I had never been purchased from United, as it marked the end of his long past-due career."  But CR would never say that......out loud.
So what about the "fans?"  Spain has an unemployment rate that hovers around the obscene, so when thousands purchased a new "Ronaldo 7+2" shirt last year at full price, although already owning a shirt with the same name and number once occupied by Ronaldo Nazario de Lima (or Fat Ronaldo as he's lovingly called), little did they know that the new Naldo would only keep the number for a year.  Will they buy a new shirt with the 7 (Benzema now wears the 7+2...which is laughable as he finds it hard to put the small ball in the big net), or will they teach Ronny a lesson (and RM) by ignoring his new persona?
Time will tell.

RM beat Club America (the Aguilitas) 2-3 tonight in their friendly.  CR was crud in the first half, but perked up in the second...managing a few assists along with his freekick (that would have been saved by a better keeper).  His lack of work rate, though, is still troubling.  America's goal that put them ahead was caused by Ronny not tracking back.  After losing the ball...he walked, and the Aguilita boys ran...all the way to score!  I'm sure RM's new guru, J-Mo will have a few words about that one. 
One thing I'm still laughing about is why Royston Drenthe is still wearing the kit of the self-proclaimed "World's Best Club"?  He was horrible last year and looked like he wasn't sure where the goal was tonight.  The CA wingers and strikers made mincemeat of him.  Poor Royston may not see the beginning of the season with RM.             

I knew he couldn't live without his real number

                                                                            

Easy Outing in Ireland for Red Devils; Snazzy New Away Kit

from manutd.com

It was less a contest and more a celebration – of United’s enduring Irish connection, of unerring finishing in front of goal and of a magnificent new sporting structure – as United romped to a 7-1 win against a League of Ireland XI in Dublin.

Wayne Rooney made his long-awaited club return but it was goals from Ji-sung Park (2), Michael Owen, Javier Hernandez, Antonio Valencia, Jonny Evans and Nani that stole the show.
The Reds, English football's crown jewels, had travelled to the Emerald Isle to open Dublin's glistening new Aviva Stadium. And it was a group of rough diamonds, mined from the semi-professional League of Ireland, who had been charged with the unenviable task of trying to stop United's stars from shining.
For 13 minutes, the home side – a term used loosely here, for United supporters dominated the virgin terraces – succeeded. But the Reds, bolstered by returning World Cup stars Rooney, Park, Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic – all playing their first games since the summer tournament – were never likely to stumble. Valencia and Owen were also named in Sir Alex’s starting XI, their first run-outs since injury curtailed their 2009/10 campaigns. For Owen, it meant the end of a five-month wait to lace up his boots again.
The Dublin crowed cheered each Rooney touch, but Ji-sung Park had the greatest early impact. He missed a free header from close range before, shortly afterwards, winning a strong tackle in midfield and teeing up Rooney, who dragged his shot wide of the target. Then the South Korean opened the scoring in bizarre fasion: he only meant to block a defender’s clearance but the ball cannoned off his shin and flew past goalkeeper Gary Rogers and into the net.

Rooney wasted a golden chance on 23 minutes – blazing over with the goal at his mercy – but it hardly mattered. Moments later Michael Owen marked his comeback with a deliciously dinked goal after a clever first touch and good work down the left by Park and Jonny Evans. With the season proper in full swing, the goal would have warranted a celebration of lip-smacking proportions. But with no Gary Neville in Dublin and the match a mere pre-season friendly, the no.7 merely raised an arm and flashed a cheeky smile.
A somersault throw-in by League of Ireland’s Ryan Guy drew a rousing cheer from the Aviva crowd before Michael Carrick was forced from the pitch after appearing to slip and twist his ankle. Darren Fletcher took Carrick’s place in the centre of midfield but the Scot, nor anyone else on the pitch, could craft any real moments of magic before the half-time whistle.
Despite a marked drop in intensity after United’s second goal. Sir Alex will have been pleased with the opening 45 minutes. Antonio Valencia and Chris Smalling were particularly impressive, while Owen, Rooney and Park also caught the eye.
Owen and Rooney made way for Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez at the break, with the Mexican striker finding the net with his first touch. Valencia again caused havoc on the right and his low cross was swept emphatically into the roof of the net by Sir Alex’s diminutive summer signing.
League of Ireland’s Joseph Ndo curled a free-kick wide of the upright on 59 minutes but a minute later Valencia shone again, collecting a defence-splitting pass inside the area before turning his marker inside out and finishing with his left-foot.

Then the floodgates opened. Park grabbed his second in sublime style, curling into the far corner with pinpoint precision, while Jonny Evans headed home after a well-worked short corner.
Even the League of Ireland XI got in on the act, Dave Mulcahy steering the ball past substitute goalkeeper Ben Amos with the outside of his foot.
And the action didn’t stop there. Hernandez won a penalty on 81 minutes, duly converted by Nani, who still found time to thump a 20-yard effort off the crossbar. Amos then did his best Schmeichel-style star jump to thwart a close-range header and
It was breathless stuff. And most importantly, for the 49,861 fans inside the Aviva Stadium, it was terrific entertainment.
United: Kuszczak (Amos 64); Evans, Smalling, Vidic, O'Shea; Valencia, Carrick (Fletcher 37), Gibson, Park (Nani 64); Rooney (Hernandez 45), Owen (Berbatov 45)

Ireland XI: Rogers (Doherty 70); Shelley, Powell, Peers (Kenna 54), Oman; Williams (Ryan 64), Keegan, Madden (Sheppard 64), Ndo (O’Brien 70); Brennan (Kirby 45), Guy (Mulcahy 70)

Roo congratulates Park on his first of two goals (the 80s Johnny Depp do is great!)

Javier Hernandez puts his special Chicharito spin on his goal!

Never need an excuse for a Michael Owen photo...but in this case he scored!  So there! :)

LOVE LOVE LOVE the new away kit.

Man United Giving Away Secrets!!!; Liverpoo is Worthless

Check out this video showing First Team coach Rene Meulensteen's Three Ball Training.

NEWS FLASH!  LIVERPOO is Worthless:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=811527&sec=england&cc=5901

hehe

Anderson Update

The Manchester United man reportedly had to be pulled out of his car after it thundered into a wall in the early hours of Saturday.

The midfielder, who is recovering from a cruciate knee ligament problem, was taken to hospital for treatment but has claimed he suffered no major injuries.
"I am very lucky because the accident was serious," Anderson told the Daily Mail. "I knew the road well, but the car lost control at a curve and we crashed against a wall. I remember people coming to help which I am grateful for.
"I just want to tell United fans I am fine and I will continue my rehabilitation so I can help the team. I've had lots of calls and have assured my friends not to worry, but it was a big scare for me."

Anderson Hurt in Car Crash

Manchester United midfielder Anderson has been involved in a car crash in Portugal and was pulled from the wreckage moments before it burst into flames, according to reports.


Anderson is reported to have spent hours in hospital after the crash, which occured at around 7am on a rural road in Braga, but sustained only minor injuries.

The Guardian quoting local sources, claim that the 22-year-old had spent the night at the Sardinha Biba nightclub before leaving in a £125,000 Audi R8 and witnesses say he was pulled ''lifeless'' from the wreckage before it went up in flames.

The paper also claims that two companions - a man known as Victor, and a young Brazilian woman, whose details have not been released - were also involved in the accident and were taken to St Mark's hospital to be treated for concussion, whiplash and shock. "They had only minor injuries," a hospital spokesman, Roman Fresco, said.

Anderson ruptured his cruciate ligament in February and has been out of action ever since. The Portuguese press quoted the Gestifute agency, which represents Anderson, as saying the Brazilian would now return to Manchester to continue his rehabilitation after suffering an "almighty scare."

Chicharito Makes His Mark

from manutd.com

Chicharito can look forward to a "great future" in England after signing off his career in Mexico with a goal for old club Chivas against his United team-mates.

That's the belief of his new boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, who praised the striker for his part in Chivas' 3-2 victory at their impressive new ground, Estadio Omnilife.
"Chicharito was first class," said Sir Alex at the post-match press conference. "His goal for Chivas was a marvellous strike. He showed his real qualities tonight.
"Chivas played very well and they were very quick. They pressed the ball well and made things difficult for us. They deserved to win.
"As for us, we've been away for three weeks. We've done lots of travelling and I think the players need to go home and rest now."
After completing the first 45 minutes for the Mexican side, Chicharito changed teams and played for United until the hour mark - as planned by the manager.
"It was always my intention to give him only 15 minutes of the second half as he is in the process of recovering from the World Cup," confirmed Sir Alex.
"He will now do some fitness training and endurance work when he arrives in Manchester and he will play more games."
The boss is pleased with the way his new acquisition has acquitted himself during his first week with the United squad.
"Chicharito has done really well," said Sir Alex. "The players have all remarked how good he is and what a great finisher he is - I think there are similarities between him and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

"The players are all supportive of him and have welcomed him to the club. I think he has a great future with us."
Where Chicharito's future lies in terms of a precise role within the team remains to be seen, of course. Sir Alex was quizzed at the press conference about the prospect of deploying the Mexican in a three-pronged attack.
"The 4-3-3 formation suits us in some games, particularly in Europe because it's important to guard against the counter-attack and keep possession," replied the United manager.
"I think Chicharito can play as a lone striker, there's no question about that. He did it in the World Cup for Mexico. But there are big possibilities of a partnership with Wayne Rooney and other players."