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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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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5 opinions; 1 United midfield to fix; a number 10 and some owners

Posted on December 06, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Guest Writer, Herzog's Child, Man United, Players, Stretty Debate   3 Comments »

Author: Herzog’s Child

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Question and answer sessions have a tendency to be dull. Prone to repetition and predictability, they offer too many opportunities for clichés and inanities to prosper. Questions relating to favourite players, or goals, or past glories have been asked and answered a thousand times. Still, given the nature of the current United, it is perhaps pertinent to cover already well-trodden ground – you know, just to try and make sense of it all. What follows below should, with hope, be somewhat different to the tediousness of the format’s general nature and provide readers with insight, interest and points with which they’ll identify with. Those handpicked to provide the answers were chosen for reasons that need no explanation here: in their answers – at times juxtaposing, at others startlingly alike – you will see why they were asked. For their time, effort and knowledge – I thank them sincerely. All of what follows is theirs and theirs alone. My own input was minimal. Lastly, I should note that the views expressed are those of the good folk below and do not necessarily represent the site. However, I feel compelled to state that whilst reading their replies, I felt myself nodding along throughout. Readers may agree or disagree with the views stated below, but hopefully all will at the very least be engaged whilst reading. Cheers.

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SE writers give their verdict on season ahead

Posted on August 14, 2011  by sleepy_nik  in Bricki, Doron, Herzog's Child, Man United, Sleepy Nik, Stretty Debate   3 Comments »
Manchester United supporter holds up 19 banner

Manchester United supporter holds up 19 banner

Ahead of the new season we’ve decided to put our necks on the proverbial line and make a prediction or two with the odd bit of informative opinion thrown in just for good measure…

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Stretty debate: Berbatov or Tevez for your MUFC team?

Posted on April 01, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Guest Writer, Man United, Players, Stretty Debate   39 Comments »

Berbatov and Tevez

AUTHORs: – Doron and Sean

The international break is nearly over (at last!) and with little to talk about, a popular discussion on Twitter between Reds has been: “who would you rather have for your MUFC team, Berbatov or Tevez?”. Upon this question first being asked, I decided Tevez was the player I wanted; however, Sean decided his was Berbatov. Therefore we’ve decided to put it in a Stretty Debate! We’re judging the players purely on ability and how they’d fit a team, so with Tevez in particular, try to put some of the hatred to one side for a moment and enjoy the debate…

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Stretty Debate: Do Man United need a ‘John Terry’?

Posted on March 29, 2011  by Bricki  in Bricki, International, Man United, Stretty Debate   26 Comments »

John Terry

AUTHORS: - Bricki & Stretford-end

Every now and then we get involved in a Stretty debate where we look at a particular subject and offer counter arguments. This blog looks at the current England captain John Terry and whether or not Manchester United could use such a player in the side. Both arguments are honest and thought provoking and we welcome your comments on whether ‘Manchester United need a John Terry’.

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Fresh injury problem for Hargreaves?

Posted on March 25, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Injuries, Man United, Man United News, Players, Stretty Debate   4 Comments »

Owen Hargreaves

AUTHOR: – Doron

There was positive news delivered by Sir Alex Ferguson recently – Owen Hargreaves had returned from the specialist in Germany and was deemed fit to start training again. Two weeks on from that and the Daily Mail are reporting a fresh injury for our forgotten man.

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Is United’s biggest motivator winning or losing?

Posted on March 25, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Man United, Stretty Debate   4 Comments »

Manchester United lose the Champions League final against Barcelona

AUTHOR: – Doron

Winning. adjective that wins; successful or victorious, as in a contest: the winning team.
Losing. adjective causing or suffering loss, as in a contest: the losing team.

Charlie Sheen wouldn’t necessarily be a good United fan. Under Sir Alex Ferguson the club has generally been winning however four times they’ve been Premier League runners up, lost 3 FA Cup finals, lost 3 League Cup finals, lost 1 European Cup final and lost other one off finals such as Charity Shields and Super Cups.

As the season heads towards April and with United fighting for three trophies, what is it that the players and staff will draw upon as a motivator for potential success?

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Are You a Proper United fan?

Posted on March 24, 2011  by Stretford-end  in Guest Writer, Man United, Statistics, Stretty Debate   54 Comments »

Sir Matt Busby

AUTHOR: – Mancunian Red

What right do I have to ask this or judge anyone which of course is a fair response. While I don’t think there is black and white answer to this question I do believe that people have the right to judge and there are certain criteria which defines a true fan from a glory hunter. I will try to explain my reasoning.

Many people believe the myth United became the biggest British club because of the Munich disaster. This is false United had become the best supported club after the war because of the great football we played. Prior to the war it could be argued we weren’t even the biggest club in Manchester. It was only after Busby and Murphy took over the club and put the emphasis on attack and style that United’s support started growing.

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Dimitar Berbatov essential analysis: Berbaflop or Berbarotica?

Posted on February 01, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Guest Writer, Man United, Players, Stretty Debate   33 Comments »

Dimitar Berbatov

AUTHOR: – Nik (Guest Blogger)

“Lazy greasy Bulgarian”, “Berbaflop”, “moody and enigmatic” or perhaps “misunderstood genius”, “artist”, “languid”; just some of the phrases or words used to describe the 7-time Bulgarian player of the year, European player’s most popular player of the year (IFFHS, 2010), Premier League winner and Champions League runner-up since his arrival at Old Trafford.

In this piece I’ll attempt to deconstruct some of the myths that have surrounded the player who has now scored 40 goals in 86 league appearances and pose some hopefully interesting theories as to why he has indeed been misunderstood and received perhaps the harshest criticism a player has ever suffered at the club – certainly the harshest criticism directed at an ever-present member of the first eleven.

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