Football 2010-2011

[The Nal]

Must admit to enjoying watching Evra looking so pi$$ed off

[eFestivals]

The problem is with his team mates now. They've obviously kept it all secret for the last 2 months, in order to stop in breaking up team morale. Rooney's camp have now decided that it's time to stir things up publically to get a move in place. Having come out and effectively said his team mates aren't good enough, then playing him is going to make it very difficult on the pitch. As has already been said, their real problems this season have been at the back.

Must admit to enjoying watching Evra looking so pi$$ed off

have they kept it secret for two months? Not according to Rooney.

But anyway, I get all of that - and I'm sure it's not passed fergie by either. All the same, fergie has stated he'll still play him.

Which, rather amusingly, is an agreement of sorts with what Rooney has said about the strength of the squad.

[The Nal]

The Nal's take on this is bang on the money. Wodgeson has just lost the dressing room with this load of cock. At the moment it seems to LFC fans that Woy's only friends seem to be his back slapping blame Rafa merchant mates in the media and Alec Furguson. This "sources close to Ferguson" non-story about Torres to Utd serves only to destabilise us further (if that is even possible) and to embolden MUFC fans. Woy should have said exactly what 'Arry said last night about Bale. "He's not for sale." But no - the dithery aul c*nt put his big foot in it again. Rumours are that Rikjaard takes over on Monday so I won't have to bother even referring to this clown again. The only thing left for him to do is make inflamatory remarks about Hillsborough before he goes.

Edited October 21, 2010 by The Nal

[Benj]

This whole Rooney thing is ace, we've been able to laugh at Liverpool for months and now we can do it with Utd too!

hahahahhahahahhahahhahahhahahahhaha

I would love to see him join City, it would be truly hilarious

Personally, I reckon its fair enough and certainly not surprising in the slightest. He left Everton to win stuff and now he feels like he has do so at Utd.

[Steve P]

Surprised at your take on the situation SP. Youre usually a little more level headed mate. Dunno if youre hung over or taking the piss though guv. LFC don't sell our best players to Manchester United. Youve no vested interest in our best players though either mate, right? However if we might just sell our goalie to you if youre extra extra nice though. Go on. Throw in a "cheeky" bid with a pwitty pwease Mr. Henry attached. 8 mill should do the trick. We need the finances.

[Wooderson]

Makes me think, is the "source close to Ferguson" actually Roy Hodgson?

[eFestivals]

"Sources close to Rafa Benitez have mentioned that Alec Ferguson is a baconfaced c*ntcheeked bully."

who needs 'sources'?

Tommy Doherty was quite happy to publicly call fergie an egotistical bully.

[eFestivals]

I would love to see him join City, it would be truly hilarious

Personally, I reckon its fair enough and certainly not surprising in the slightest. He left Everton to win stuff and now he feels like he has do so at Utd.

Yep, me too.

Utd are going to have happen to them what they've been happy to make others suffer. The outrage being shown flags up the double standards clear as day.

[eFestivals]

Regarding Torres to United, I agree it wouldn't happen. What I could see though is him possibly going back to Spain, and then Higuain for example going to United.

While Spain seems a very obvious option, when you start to consider 'what club?' it gets harder to see him going there.

He won't go to Real, that's for sure. And other than Barca, I don't think any other Spanish club could afford him or his wages.

So that really only leaves Inter overseas, tho I'm not sure he's a big enough Rafa fan to want to do that.

So it's back to the UK. I agree, and don't think he'd accept Utd even if they made a good offer. So that means Shitty or Chelsea really, doesn't it?

[ampersand]

Nor does ralph. Fergie thinks different, as he made clear last night.

It's no surprise to me, cos amongst everything else around Rooney, Utd need to perform on the pitch else Rooney's take on where Utd are going certainly becomes the reality.

If fergie's words are true, then Fergie's been happy to play him for the last two months, and no one has been doubting Rooney's commitment and effort over that time, only his form. And form is temporary.

Nothing has changed with any of that with things becoming public, the only thing that has changed is the perception of Rooney from the likes of you and me.

[Benj]

Yep, me too.

Utd are going to have happen to them what they've been happy to make others suffer. The outrage being shown flags up the double standards clear as day.

[Benj]

So it's back to the UK. I agree, and don't think he'd accept Utd even if they made a good offer. So that means Shitty or Chelsea really, doesn't it?

[Cardboard Box City]

What I could see though is him possibly going back to Spain, and then Higuain for example going to United.

[eFestivals]

yeah form is temporary. like i said yesterday when it would make the title race interesting if man city signed a happy rooney.

unhappy players don't make for good players though as this has shown. don't see why his form is going to improve in 2 and a bit months. along with a niggling ankle injury.

I agree that unhappy players don't normally play well. But all the same, fergie has come out and stated that he's prepared to keep playing him, just as he kept playing Tevez when it was clear that Tevez was going to leave.

And the simple fact is that both of those things point towards Rooney having a reasonable point when he says he's lost confidence in Utd being able to have a strong enough squad to win things.

As I've said, I'm not surprised that fergie is still prepared to play him. Utd's form so far this season has been below what people expect of them, and the only realistic hope of a big improvement in the short term is Rooney on form - and he'll only get that form if he's played.

[The Nal]

Rooney going to Liverpool!

Roy Hodgson was heard saying this morning: "Looks like Wayne!!"

No one showed up... but two minutes later .....it started raining.

[funkymp]

Rooney to one, Torres to the other?

..and the shift in power the the new money clubs is complete

[ampersand]

I agree that unhappy players don't normally play well. But all the same, fergie has come out and stated that he's prepared to keep playing him, just as he kept playing Tevez when it was clear that Tevez was going to leave.

And the simple fact is that both of those things point towards Rooney having a reasonable point when he says he's lost confidence in Utd being able to have a strong enough squad to win things.

As I've said, I'm not surprised that fergie is still prepared to play him. Utd's form so far this season has been below what people expect of them, and the only realistic hope of a big improvement in the short term is Rooney on form - and he'll only get that form if he's played.

[spwan-of-the-devil]

I agree that unhappy players don't normally play well. But all the same, fergie has come out and stated that he's prepared to keep playing him, just as he kept playing Tevez when it was clear that Tevez was going to leave.

And the simple fact is that both of those things point towards Rooney having a reasonable point when he says he's lost confidence in Utd being able to have a strong enough squad to win things.

As I've said, I'm not surprised that fergie is still prepared to play him. Utd's form so far this season has been below what people expect of them, and the only realistic hope of a big improvement in the short term is Rooney on form - and he'll only get that form if he's played.

[Cardboard Box City]

People saying Madrid would sell Higuain - complete madness, guys a beast for them.

[eFestivals]

Rooney going to Liverpool!

Roy Hodgson was heard saying this morning: "Looks like Wayne!!"

No one showed up... but two minutes later .....it started raining.

excellent.

[eFestivals]

i suppose that's a point, but do you really see it happening?

I think looking at things the other way around says more: that it can't and won't happen is he's not played.

plus, what if someone tears into him and has him injured for 7 or 8 months. that's a windfall for man utd out the window as all the teams will just wait for next again window, or worse still, the following january.

Well, i'd guess that if Utd have the ambition that they'd like people to be thinking and have the money to do it, and if they're serious about not wanting to lose Rooney, that would work to their advantage - he's be out of the picture while they prove to him their ambition via some signings.

[Steve P]

Exactly. Something like 58 goals in 93 appearances in the last few seasons. Why would he even want to leave to go to United?

[eFestivals]

Untied allways start slowly though and come good about now but I think they are going to struggle to break into the top 4 this year. As for Rooney I think he is a gone come Jan as its been clear even during the world cup that something wasent right.

Just Hope they dont come good till after Sunday please

yep, they do normally start slowly, and without this Rooney saga I'd fully expect them to improve. But of course a part of that improvement would have come from Rooney getting back to nearer his best.

So I can see the dilemma for Utd with all of this. Don't play him and have a big risk of sliding, or play him and still perhaps slide.

Of those two options, I can see why fergie thinks that playing him is the better way to go - tho of course it's quite possible that the decision they'll take today will be to not play him.

I agree about him going in January if Rooney doesn't have a change of heart. I can't see what other option they really have .... tho of course getting a decent offer in January is far harder.

But if they sell him, they need to sign one or more too, because they certainly need to demonstrate that Rooney's take on things isn't correct, otherwise it'll become true by default.

[eFestivals]

Exactly. Something like 58 goals in 93 appearances in the last few seasons. Why would he even want to leave to go to United?

because every player wants to play for Utd, obviously.

[The Nal]

So I can see the dilemma for Utd with all of this. Don't play him and have a big risk of sliding, or play him and still perhaps slide.