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It is hard to get philosophical about an away game at Stoke. It is going to be difficult and is likely to be grim. What’s more, last week we were being fed the football equivalent of lobster on the top of Mount Olympus by a naked Marilyn Monroe – so it was always going to be a come down from there.
However, as Marilyn retires to the kitchen to do the washing up, I find myself coming to my senses and having a look at the season so far. We ain’t doing too bad at all. Arsenal, Spurs, City and now Stoke have been dispatched and we have maximum points for our efforts, not to mention a tricky European Cup tie out of the way too.
None of our rivals have had as prickly a run of fixtures so far, Liverpool’s six against Hull being about as impressive as winning an arm wrestle against a quadriplegic badger, and poor little Carlo can’t even understand how his mob lost at Wigan.
The ‘experts’ will tell you that getting results against ‘tough, direct teams’ like Bolton and Stoke and anybody with a player who can tackle is what wins you championships. Perhaps. Or maybe it’s just getting results in general. Nani did look like a player you can knock over without too much trouble (he’d make a great Arsenal player) but we still got the result.
The thing that strikes me about United’s play at the moment is that they are operating much more as a team than before. Previously we had the “Give it to Ronaldo” mentality that by and large payed dividends. Now the passes are pinging across the pitch more unpredictably and more of our players and getting involved at the cutting edge. Everybody is getting a chance to shine and they look a bit happier too. Except Rooney of course, who was born angry.
After the sneering at Giggsie winning the Player of the Year award last year it is deeply satisfying to see him showing everyone a thing or two on the pitch again. What a renaissance he is having, who is playing better in the league at the moment? Torres, perhaps Rooney?
The thing is though, I worry how we will get on at the business end of the Champions League this year. Ronaldo was the difference in the last two seasons and we might possibly be up against it should we meet either those large Spanish teams. One hopes that God is on our side if those fixtures come up. Next up is Volfsburg on Wednesday, the German equivalent of Stoke methinks, let’s pack our silver bullets for the occasion.
Follow Mark at www.thedevilinme.co.uk and @markjpayne on twitter
Photography from my mate Eileen
Comments
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Posted by John on 09/28/2009
I completely agree - this year's squad plays more as a team (Ronaldo was quite the petulant ball hog at times). The forwards and midfielders are playing mesmerizing attacking football, and there is more balance - how many different players have scored so far? I mean, anyone on the field - strikers, midfielders (even defenders, O'Shea's header vs. Stoke, for example) are capable of scoring.
That being said, Giggs is still the master magician. He, more than anyone else, will be the hardest to replace I reckon. I don't care if he's almost 36, he still has the vision and skills to pick out the perfect pass almost every time. He really opens up the attacking third with his inch-perfect through balls.
I wouldn't worry about the Champion's League...yet. I think United will comfortably make the knockout stages, then we can start sweating.
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Posted by Wala on 09/28/2009
nice billboard. i think most people fail to realise the difference in the champions league was not ronaldo. it was the fact that fergie realised the difference a defensive cover in the midfield made. (remember Gatusso and Milan?) that transformed our team and our ability to defend. ronaldo had flair, but our attack is still fantastic. in the champions league, when your strikers are doggedly marked by the world's best defenders, it's sensible to have a team in which the goals come from anywhere. one does worry a little about the wings, though.
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Posted by ammarkus on 09/28/2009
i do agree that the team played more as a team right now. the ball can go through all over the pitch because there's no one has a quality of ronaldo. thats a positive side of not having him right now. the biggest problem wight now would be the wings.i dont think valencia n nani have the right mentality to replace giggs or ronaldo. they have the talent but too many expected move from them.valencia dont have the courage to cut inside all he can do is run with the ball and cross. thats boring man. he should tried something different to add more creativity to the game. nani got talent but he is too slow. he should also pass the ball when it is necessary. n there are also no goal poacher except owen. rooney is the main man n i hope he can get even better because we owe so much to him. i think the whole team is perfect perhaps we should get one more winger who got pace and creativity such as silva.
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Posted by Danny on 09/28/2009
I do agree that most of the fans might a bit worry about the wings, as there are seem to be nobody can be achieve as a proper winger from the team at the moments. Otherwords, the team spirit and the way to attack was far more better than last season.
Hails for Giggs and Fletcher over last two games, which he was the star.
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Posted by chuks emezuo on 09/28/2009
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Posted by Joseph on 09/28/2009
Methinks calling Wolfsburg Stoke is an insult to Wolfsburg haha. Wolfsburg is a significantly more accomplished and dynamic team in any country.
Should still be Utd on Wednesday - but I wouldn't take the threats from the likes of Grafite, Dzeko, Misimovic and Martins lightly.
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Posted by steve on 09/29/2009
picked out and stuck with no.11 as my fav player long ago but must admit I sometimes cringed at his ambitious passing.The last 2 years in particular he has been unbelievable hope he can play at 46. simple the best red.
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Posted by gbenga on 09/29/2009
wheather Rolando or Tevez go or not, the problem with our team now is that Barbatov and Nani are too slow on the ball, if they can raise their game a little, then i can bet Man U will still won the premiership and still play in the european league final.
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Posted by Patrice-Kigali on 09/29/2009
It is satisfying that team is more unified than last season but to me if Rooney is injured and age has caught up with Gigs, who is going to shoulder the team?
Nonetheless, I am also happy to see the team progressing well. I believe the recovery of O.Hargo is going to add impetuous to the midfield.
Nani is having a consistency challenge. Having been a strong critique of Berba, i am beginning to see him improve on a number of things.
Giggs and Scholes have only one challenge-age. otherwise perfect footballers ever.
Valecia's pace and passing are there wz the best.
Rooney is incredible. He is maturing and does not get nervous fast as before.
ManU 4eva.
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Posted by Arzerouni on 09/30/2009
We are certainly playing more as a team now that Ronaldo is gone.I certainly did not expect to get maximum points from the last 4 premier league games, and apart from the Arsenal game which we won by luck and didn't deserve it, I think United have proven me wrong. Apparently they can match up well against the top teams in the league.However, when we say team play we certainly think a full 11 right? but at the moment Man Utd's team is made out of 8 players. Every time Nani, Valencia and Foster are on the field, things just don't seem to be going right. I say sell Nani quickly, sign David Silva and Akinfeev, and give Valencia another 18 months before giving the final verdict. i still assert that our midfield is not good enough of Champions league, but our depth could win us the PL. If you look at the last 4 PL games, our best player by a mile has been the 36 year old giggs(best player in the league right now)with 2 assists at Arsenal, a goal at Tottenham, 3 assists vs city and 2 vs stoke
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Posted by Arzerouni on 09/30/2009
Sorry, but giggs won't be playing in 2 seasons time, I say get rid of Nani who has had more than enough opportunities to prove his worth. Give Tosic a chance the kid was solid in all the preseason games, plus he is a natural left footed player who know how to cross the ball unlike Valencia and Nani. and Sign Silva in January. Silva is eligible for Champions League too, so he would be the perfect signing. At that point we can play a midfield of Fletcher, scholes, Hargreaves, Silva and giggs with rooney on top and silva or giggs off of rooney. I think that would be a great midfield. As for Carrick, I mean he was shite in our League Cup game, completely overshadowed by Gibson who should also get more games as the season goes on. Gibson and his powerful shot can be the perfect replacement for scholesy. Though he needs a lot more to get to schole's passing level. All in all, I think the Premier League will go down the wire and if we get to the Semi-final of the Champions league without the
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Posted by Arzerouni on 09/30/2009
current squad and without new signing in January I will be a happy fan. If we get to the Semis anything will happen, I think for man Utd in recent years, the first knock out round and quarterfinals have been the toughest rounds to pass, the Semis apart from the devastation against Leverkusen and Milan have been fairly good.
So let's win the game 2moro, which should be tough against a team that had the best striking partnership in Europe last season and go on and on with the Glory of United looming over us.
Sorry if I sound pessimistic alot, but i'd rather be crtical of my beloved team and have them prove me wrong than to be overconfident-optimistic and have to endure a United disappointment.
Finally, for all those ignorant football fans who even think of comparing the Spanish 2 horse race called La Liga to the Premier league, I think it's clear that a league with 5-6 potential championship contenders is a lot better than a league full of the egos of Kaka, ronaldo, raul and Messi
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Posted by Arzerouni on 09/30/2009
Ps. Has anyone seen Fiorentina's Jovetic play prior to the Liverpool game, I've been watching the Seria A for the last two seasons, and have played many versions of the Football Manager, and I can tell you that this Kid is great pretty much every time he plays. He is 10 times better than Nani, I think Fergie should make a straight up trade, send Nani to Fiorentina and bring Jovetic who can play both as a left Attacking midfielder and as a striker. Plus he's only 19.
If we sell Nani, Valencia, Carrick and Foster and buy one solid CM (e.g. De Rossi), Jovetic and David Silva. Plus a good goalkeeper, then we are set for the next 5 seasons, cause the likes of Macheda, Wellbeck, Gibson, Rafael, Fabio, Evans along with Rooney, anderson, fletcher, vidic and Berba will make a great team to watch over the years. we are just 2-4 signing away from conquering Europe for a long time.
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Posted by MU fan. on 09/30/2009
Finally, Man Utd prove you wrong. But I think SAF has his own reasons not to sell Nani. Nani can be a great player, its just that he's not mentally prepared enough, but I believe he can play well. Valencia has the pace already, all he need is skill to bluff defenders and be unpredictable. He can replace Ronaldo, although he will not be as skillful as Ronaldo, and perform magic like Ronaldo. Carrick should be sold, he's just not up to standard. Berbatov, he maybe slow, but he's skillful, and he can finish well. He should get a chance to play. Anderson should get more chance to play, and Owen, the derby hero, also showed us that he can be a important player in Man Utd. And most of all, Wayne Rooney. Hopes he stay fit, and, prove to the world that Man Utd can cope without CR7 and Tevez.
Man Utd forever.
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Posted by Bebeyi Segun on 09/30/2009
Some other clubs fans do say that manchester united is been favoured by the officiating minsters bus as for me by my observation i dont beleive that since man u was able to play totheharm 3 goals to 1 up on the fact that scholes was given red card.paraventure they can continue to play the way they had played with tothe,i believe they will definately lift the trophy for this season.
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Posted by Arzerouni on 10/01/2009
Look, Nani could have a lot of potential, but I think three seasons at a club is enough time to prove your worth and Nani has certainly not lived up to the hype. As for Valencia, he could have pace but I think my asthmatic-smoking self can do a lot more than him. Tonight he missed an incredible chance after a great flick from Berba and so far this season, I have only seen him make one freaking move over and over again, and that's; flick the ball to his right and deliver a mediocre cross which heaven knows who the target is. He is so limited with his skill, it's not even funny. So please don't say he can replace Ronaldo in any way or form. He can only be a decent winger for mid or bottom level Premier league clubs. As for Berba, he does his own thing which sometimes is inspirational and magical and sometimes halts our offensive prowess and quickness. But nonetheless, even though he is slow he still has class.
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Posted by Arzerouni on 10/01/2009
By the way, "Man U fan" what do you mean Valencia can replace ronaldo, but won't be as skillful and as magical? I mean, I can replace ronaldo on the team sheet, just put down my name, any human being can replace another on paper, but if we are talking football here, then there is probably no one who can replace ronaldo straight up except for Messi maybe. Thus I think, like the Djemba-Djembas, Veron, Kleberson, etc. Valencia and Nani will be added to the short list of Fergie's not so great signings. I mean 18million for nani, 16 for valencia, that makes it 34 million, why couldn't we have signed some one young who not only has potential but also quality like David Silva. Silva can't replace ronaldo, but he will certainly be one of the best Attacking midfielders/wingers in the Premier League. . As for rooney, he is simply the key to our success and England's success. if he's not around neither Man U or England stand a chance for glory. He is magnificent, even when hes not scoring.
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Posted by MU fan. on 10/01/2009
Arzerouni, its not easy for a player who, from a mid table team, comes up to Man Utd and start to perform well. Very hard. So, I guess we should give Valencia more time. I still believe Nani can perform,and they should not be shortlisted of Fergie's not so great signings, for now. As for Berbatov, he shown that he is important to Man Utd. He was the one who started the second goal, who passed to Giggs and eventually, Carrick scored. Moreover, he gave a nice chance to Valencia but Valencia shot it wide.
Man Utd forever.
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Posted by The Searching Cross on 10/05/2009
Don't forget that Valencia has been great at times this season, his crossing has been phenomenal in many games. As MU fan. said, give him time to adjust.
Also, everyone should stop worrying about "replacing" Ronaldo, no individual should shoulder that burden. If the wingers can do their job (aka make runs and cross the ball), the team as a whole will be strong enough without Ronaldo.
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Posted by The Grimace on 10/09/2009
For a horrible midlands town Stoke has produced its fair share of banana skins over the decades. Please lord let us keep on outclassing the classless. That'll do me this season.
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Posted by Timothy on 10/10/2009
we have to beat both liverpool & chelsea to have a chance of lifting a 4th successive title. The sunderland game should be a wake up call!
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Posted by ifeanyi precious on 10/14/2009
manchester united is a big team,every body knows that.the fact we need to understand is that, man utd have been a successfull club even when they were without ronaldo.so lets believe we can still make it even now he is out.ronaldo is a very good player, he proved his worth at man utd. man utd still have good qaulity players like him. players like rooney, owen,bebatov,nani,valancia,giggs,j.s.park, and oters are still able to take man utd to a higher level.let's apreciate and let them to adjust themselves as a team.i believe they can still make us proud.ferguson is a good maneger. we still trust him.i love man utd and every thing about them.up united for life.
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Posted by Luke on 10/14/2009
chelsea with ancelotti will grab the tittle this year. optimistic...
Posted by pappy on 10/17/2009
i believe that nani needs more time, 4 the last three seasons this guy had been in ronaldos shadow, i think before January he would step up, i think saf should give thosic a chance because that would challenge nani and Valencia. our attack is really not sharp we need more consistency from nani and co, nani is a great player who is still very confuse about his own skills, we will win the premiere league this season, we need more power to win the champions league , Chelsea will soon fall dramatically because they don't have that edge over we united, we have players that can change a game play at any time. am truly a red devil
Posted by Jaymolee Russell on 12/28/2009
that was a bad day 4 the guys but we came back
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About
Mark Payne is a freelance journalist and general football obsessive. He has written for a host of travel, business and lifestyle publications and has also contributed to some second-rate TV shows.
His constant United ramblings can be found at www.thedevilinme.co.uk and he can be contacted for football discussion at any time via markpayne.editor@hotmail.com.
He thinks Clayton Blackmore was underrated.
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