Macheda vs. the odds

Posted on January 01, 2012  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Man United, Man United News, Players, Queens Park Rangers, Transfer Speculation, Youth   7 Comments »

Author: Doron

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Despite being just 20 years old, Federico Macheda is being written off as a potential United footballer in many quarters. His loan move to QPR is widely considered to be a good move for him but has he played his last game in a United shirt?

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United’s numbers – make your own conclusions!

Posted on January 01, 2012  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Man United, Players, Premier League, Statistics   1 Comment »

As a self-confessed lover of numbers and stats, I thought I’d share a few now we’ve reached the halfway point of the league season. I offer no commentary on what each stat shows, draw your own conclusions!

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The young United defenders who might be needed

Posted on December 28, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Injuries, Man United, Players, Youth   No Comments »

Author: Doron

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Jonny Evans was subbed off at half time against Wigan, he was on a yellow card so precaution was my natural instinct; however news of a calf injury filtered through soon after the final whistle. With Vidic out for the season; Fabio injured; Rio suffering from a few niggles; Rafael not match fit; and Smalling/Jones ill; there’s a possibility some of the Reserves may have to be called up to play. United are already stretched with Carrick and Valencia having to play at the back, but like we did when Fletcher’s situation was announced, here’s an introduction to the defenders in the Reserves should they be needed.

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Nani: the return of the league’s best winger

Posted on December 23, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Man United, Players   22 Comments »

Author: Doron

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Despite what the title says, the motives behind this post are three-fold: 1. to wax lyrical about Nani and our wide play; 2. to provoke some thoughts about our central midfield; 3. to make a bold claim about Nani being the league’s best winger.

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Resurgent Rio shows he’s far from finished

Posted on December 18, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Man United, Players   9 Comments »

Author: Doron

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Dropped by his club. Dropped by his country. Partially written off by the press. Even the fans starting to hope younger players replace him in the starting XI. Yet, Rio’s response has been to quietly (unless you’re signed up to Twitter and happen to follow him) get on with it and take his chance when recalled to the team. So much so that his current form is not far off some of the best football he’s played for the club. In the past 6/7 weeks I think Rio’s been the best defender in the country.

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Two embarrassing United stories in less than 24 hours!

Posted on December 17, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Champions League, Doron, Man United, Man United News, Players, Stretty Debate, Transfer Speculation, Youth   9 Comments »

Author: Doron

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I like to think that it’s not often that this blog moans or grumbles but two stories circling in the media today are worthy of a rare controlled outburst! The topics are the UEFA Champions League and Paul Scholes…

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Pogba going nowhere (hopefully!)

Posted on December 16, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Man United, Man United News, Players, Transfer Speculation, Youth   2 Comments »

Author: Doron

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Paul Pogba’s been linked with a move away from the club recently with Inter, Man City and Arsenal all being named as admirers. It’s thought his contract ends this summer and his agent is keen for him to get a large pay rise. However, new quotes from Sir Alex Ferguson suggest this isn’t the case, yet.

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Fletcher news should see United’s reserve troops put on standby

Posted on December 13, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Injuries, Man United, Players, Youth   8 Comments »

Author: Doron

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In light of the news that Darren Fletcher will be out for an unknown period of time to hopefully recover from his illness; I thought it was worth a look at the players who may have to be used from the Reserves, whether they are ready or not. The reality is that Carrick and Gibson are now the only fit central midfielders and despite Rooney, Giggs, Park and Jones all having covered there (and Valencia who Fergie has hinted can play there) the reality is we’re scarily short of in that area. Clearly, a signing (signings) is (are) needed but given the reluctance of our owners to make money available (note a low net spend in the past five years – imperative you read Daniel Taylor’s superb piece on this), it’s feasible we’ll have to find answers, even if just to make up numbers on the bench, from within.

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Man United, Europe, Twitter, statistics and cannibalism

Posted on December 11, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Champions League, Doron, Guest Writer, Herzog's Child, Man United, Players, Stretty Debate   8 Comments »

Author: Herzog’s Child

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Part 1 of this Q & A preceded Wednesday’s catastrophe. As a result, an obligation was emplaced to ponder on it briefly but not too much. The innards of our exit have been well knifed apart by now, but to ignore it would be a disservice. These are testing times for United. In amongst the enamouring sights of our young troops delivering, a despondency lingers that won’t go away. Why? The reasons vary. The immediate concerns are clear: a lack of quality, coupled with an injury list that wouldn’t look out of place in a war-zone, has already cast doubts over what May will deliver. There’s the debt, too, of course: something far more sinister, yet oddly more ignored by the majority. That was covered in Part 1 *here*. What follows below is a little more light-hearted, but something most, if not all, football supporters can in some way relate to. United’s confirmation that Vidic will miss the rest of the season came at a time when the answers for all of the questions below had been garnered. Suffice to say, there is little point in contemplating it even further – his absence, despite the qualities of those who’ll fit in, has come at the worst time. So, enjoy the views of those below – it is their work, and theirs alone, that has made this session what it is. For their insight, intelligence and time I sincerely thank them. More shall follow soon.

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Nemanja Vidic Injured: Captain out for several months

Posted on December 08, 2011  by Stretford-end  in Injuries, Man United, Man United News, Players   3 Comments »

Vidic injured against FC Basel

It is being reported that Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament, which will rule him out for the remainder of the 2011/12 season. The news will come as a massive blow to Sir Alex Ferguson who saw his Manchester United side dumped of the Champions League by Swiss side FC Basel. United have suffered a number of injuries to defenders this season, with Vidic and Ferdinand picking up injuries on the opening day of the season against WBA.

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