So, there you go.
Pure shambles, but if you’re a Manchester United fan, short of winning the World Cup, yesterday’s farce was surely the best case scenario.
No United scapegoat and even the strongest attempt to deflect attention cannot divert it away from the abject failure that was on show – chief culprits being Gerrard and Lampard, later revealed by German coach Low as being targetted due to their lack of positional discipline.
Wayne Rooney has come under harsh criticism in recent England matches after failing to find the back of the net, criticising the travelling England fans for booing, slammed for being unfit and not ‘really caring’ about the team. Rather than singling out Rooney, the most talented footballer in the England squad, I would be focusing on England’s poor ball retention, rigid tactics and lack of imagination.
I’ve kept pretty quiet recently on the events occurring down in South Africa, however I wanted to address the situation now that England have qualified for the last sixteen. Rooney’s World Cup campaign hasn’t even got started yet and I would look at a certain inspirational Roberto Baggio as proof that you don’t need to blow the group stages away.
It can’t be blamed on the manager, it can’t be blamed on the goalkeeper this time, and despite best attempts, it can’t blamed on Wayne Rooney, the diamond in the manure infested national side. Fabio Capello has indicated he will consider a system change to boost England’s chances of progression, but to get the best out of this group of 23 he will have to make a switch in personnel.
Manchester United kick off their 2010/11 Premier League campaign against Championship winners Newcastle United at Old Trafford on August 14th. United opened the 2000/01 with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle, with Andy Cole and Ronny Johnson getting on the score sheet. The next game sees United up against Europa League finalists Fulham and then at home to West Ham at the end of the month. United then face back to back games against Merseyside opposition, with United traveling to Goodison Park on the 11th – a ground where United were well beaten last term – and then host Liverpool at Old Trafford on the 18th.
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has heaped praise on Wayne Rooney, describing him as a ‘complete player’. The Manchester United forward was in scintillating form for United this season, scoring 34 goals in all competitions. His injury towards the end of the season hampered United’s title and European bid, however our number ten can look back on a very impressive campaign. Cruyff, who inspired a generation in the 70s, defended Rooney for his dissent in matches. Much has been made of Rooney’s conversation with the referee in the meaningless England friendly on Monday – with many football ‘experts’ not realising that players are in fact allowed to question a decision. This isn’t a post on the ‘respect’ campaign, i’m merely pointing out that even if football now appeals to middle Britain, its roots remain working class, which some journalists seem to overlook. If you want to discuss arguing with officials and player conduct on the pitch you can do in our forum.
When it was finally “revealed” via statement yesterday that the Red Knights were effectively announcing their intention to NOT make a takeover bid for Manchester United in the near future, I wasn’t surprised. In fact, the more news that has come out in the last few weeks, the less confident I was about a bid at all and the more suspicious I got about the motives of supposed saviours.
