Stop Making Sense

Charles Klein

Now that the final whistle has been blown on the most tumultuous and insanity-inducing Premier League season in many a year, an insanity of a different sort is preying upon our football mad-minds: transfer season. As fans we become transfigured from mere enjoyers of sport to seekers of truth amongst a tumult of lies and spin.

The Eden Hazard transfer saga, while being relatively short, offered further proof that our collective standards for reporting and accountability have dropped even lower than in summer's past. While I was not pleased that Hazard signed for Chelsea instead of a potential move to United, all of the resultant fuss over the decision has caused me greater disquiet. Suddenly the discussion becomes about what a 21 year-old money hungry Belgian from an inferior league thinks of United and how his snub of England's most successful club is any sort of credible indictment.

This season has become one in which the very soul of the club has been tested. Many assume that because their crosstown rivals won the league for the first time in 44 years by spending over a billion pounds and one player chose to join a team that has no wingers instead of one that has three world class internationals United is a shadow of the club it once was. Well I will be happy to tell you that notion is certainly not the case.

Moderately credible reports are now surfacing of United signing the super talented central attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa from German champions Borussia Dortmund. Unlike the Hazard speculation, there appears to be much greater cause for optimism on the part of United fans in this case. Sir Alex Ferguson and his assistant Mike Phelan have traveled to Germany to watch Kagawa, the manager has met with the player himself, a meeting that the player also confirmed. Officials at Dortmund understand that they will not be able to keep the player after next season and have admitted as much. The deal is close to being done with just the personal terms left to be negotiated. And this signing should be cause for cyber high fives across twitterland. But it has not been.

Jamie Jackson has written in The Guardian that United potentially signing Kagawa "typifies Manchester United's new age of austerity." All of the grumblings about the Glazers aside, I find it difficult to call the current United team a result of an imposition of austerity on Old Trafford. There are plenty of players in the current squad on six figures a week and when it came to keeping its most prized asset, Wayne Rooney, there was enough money in the accounts to get the deal done. The underlying doubt over whether or not the Glazers would be willing to spend 30+ million pounds on a proven player becomes moot considering the results of previous teams that were constructed without buying a player of that cost.

United's most successful team in recent times, the 2007-2008 edition, featured zero players that cost north of 20 million pounds. The most expensive player brought in that summer was Anderson, who United is thought to have paid 18-20 million to FC Porto. Given how the Brazilian has done at United since that season, the argument can definitely be made that he has not been worth half of the money United paid for his services. That same summer United signed Nani (19m), Owen Hargreaves (17m), and brought in Carlos Tevez (on a two year loan). That side went on to win an historic double.

Before we all start thinking that United's continued success is threatened in an existential manner by the ludicrous spending of its competitors, let us first think about it in this way: the silly money invested by United's rivals is the biggest act of desperation imaginable. That City would have to spend its way to the worst financial loss in football history to win one league trophy in a 44 year span that saw United win the league twelve times ought to feel more flattering than it may now. Chelsea will inevitably spend in excess of 70 million pounds this summer alone to erase the 25 point gap between themselves and the two Manchester clubs. Sounds like desperation to me.

After City won the league this season it became a rather fashionable opinion to decry the return of the greatest central midfielder the Premier League has ever seen as an act of desperation by a strapped-for-cash manager. And yet the inconvenient truth in all of that is the simple fact that Scholes wanted to return, United still had a use for him, and only lost one game in which he started. Had United won the league this season many instead would look at Scholes' return for the masterstroke that it was.

The simple fact that United is owned by a bunch of thieving idiots who have since taking over been the most fortunate of bystanders to success, should not justify the prevailing opinion that the club and especially the players who fight for it on a weekly basis all over England and Europe is in any state of impending doom. Yes, City did win the league, and yes, Hazard chose Chelsea (allegedly) over United. But after the club's greatest existential crisis in its history surely all of this pales in comparison. With the pending signing of Kagawa and hopefully another midfielder, Nemanja Vidic's return to full fitness, and the progression of stellar young players like Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones, and Jonny Evans, United will bounce back like they always have to further glory. It's just in our DNA.

Onwards and Upwards? You Can Bet Your Bottom Dollar in 2013

Daniel Meola 

And so, on perhaps one of the more cruel days in recent Manchester United history, the title made its way from the Etihad Stadium, then to Old Trafford, then dramatically back to Eastlands. All is said and done, for now at least. Manchester City have been crowned as the Barclay’s Premier League Champion for the 2011/20012 campaign, and, sadly, they did deserve it. After beating Manchester United twice, the runners up in the league, City had every right to claim their first league one title in 44 years. Thrashing United 6-1 at Old Trafford, to defeating them 1-0 at home just three weeks before the end of the season, earned them a title they won’t soon forget. But at what cost have City won?

This is by no means an attempt to belittle City or take away from their achievement in anyway. They beat us. Twice. Smashed us on one of those occasions in our own building, yet, trust me when I say that this can only be a good thing for United. A very good thing. Once upon a time, Chelsea assembled a very expensive squad under the chief advisement of Roman Abromovich. It took a few hurdles but eventually, under Claudio Ranieri and Jose Mourinho, Chelsea triumphed to back to back Premier League titles as well as a Carling Cup and Community Shield. What did Manchester United do to follow the act? Winning the league the next three years running, coupled with numerous Carling Cup triumphs, a couple of Community Shields, and a Champions League to boot. See what I am playing at yet?

This defeat of the league, the early exit from Europe on both fronts, FA Cup failure and Carling Cup upset all in one season can mean big things just around the corner for the red half of Manchester. Of course, some would argue that City’s title success will only bring them more success in the future. However, it was a struggle for City to win a league this year with one of the most talented sides in all the world. City too crashed in all competitions just as United, but still claimed a league trophy ahead of their neighbors. Still, it would come as no surprise to me if Manchester United responded in 2012/2013 by winning a treble.

United are like a well oiled machine, engine always running, wheels constantly spinning. Recently, Sir Alex Ferguson shed light on the end of year situation and where United stand going forward. I am not here to just echo his sentiments, but rather, to back them up. Sir Alex eluded to the fact that United have and never will be a club to just empty their bank accounts summer after summer on ‘proven’ talent. Of course, Manchester United have the capabilities to pull off some expenses transfers, and every so often they will spend big on a player who is not necessarily in their youth. Juan Sebastian Veron and Dimitar Berbatov are prime examples of this. But for every Dimi and JSV there are more Patrice Evra’s and Nemanja Vidic’s. Especially at United.

Obviously, transfer policies and inflated price tags are a concern going forward. In most cases, no name players aren’t being purchased for the small 4-6 million pounds they once were, but rather double that. Let’s use Evra as the example here. Evra was purchased by United after earning his starting place at Monaco in France. Paying just over 6 million pounds, Evra had not yet reached his prime and was still very much plying his trade on his way to becoming a world class footballer. Fast forward to last summer, where Raphael Varane was being chased by United. Another French fullback of talent and pace, Real Madrid captured the teenagers signature for more than twice what United paid for Evra more than five years ago. In fact, Varane has played far less games, has shown far less talent, and needs far more development to match Evra’s footballing ability. And who knows, it just may happen, but that isn’t the point.

The fact remains that the inflation of players will cause United to often scoff at established high price stars such as Wesley Sneijder, and pay significantly less to sign a Shinji Kagawa type. In the same midfield role, Kagawa is much younger than Sneijder and will cost David Gill and company less money. Sneijder is the better player, is far more accomplished and will more than likely require less time to assimilate to the Premier League. So why is that a bad thing if United chase Kagawa hard? It isn’t, and that is how United have and plan to play it for as long as Sir Alex remains in charge.

Manchester City are building nothing but a merry go round across town. Contrary to popular belief of their ‘birth of a dynasty’, the Citizens are merely masking their problems by bringing in more talent. It sounds odd, but that influx of talent at every possible transfer opportunity is nothing but trouble. City are out of hand, and it is almost like they just can’t stop themselves from spending, spending, spending. Since Khaldoon al Mubarak and Sheikh Mansour have taken control of the Blues, the transfers are quite absurd. Roque Santa Cruz, Emmanuel Adebayor, Shay Given, Wayne Bridge, Craig Bellamy, Jo, Robinho, and Jerome Boateng to name a few, are just some of the players who have came into the City ranks over the past few years and have either since departed or have been eternally loaned out. The process is about to repeat itself again.

James Milner, Nigel De Jong, Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri, Adam Johnson, Mario Balotelli, Micah Richards and Gareth Barry are the next crop of City stars to be either replaced, or further frustrated by another summer of shopping. Milner and Johnson have both voiced their displeasure publicly, while others have faced the more subtle voice of reason by not being included in the squad for months on end. De Jong, Nasri and Dzeko all found it hard to crack the City squad at various times this year, with rumours beginning to swirl that the Bosnian will be on his way out of Eastlands after less than two years. Suppose City sign Eden Hazard, which now seems increasingly likely. What happens to Nasri? Will he be alright with becoming a bit part player behind Hazard and David Silva? What about Gareth Barry? The England international has already found himself on the City bench while Yaya Toure has played in nearly all of the club’s games. Where does he go after they bring in another midfielder?

By now, it is no longer a question of if, but a question of when. These things will all happen and it is only a matter of time before they do. If they sign Hazard for lets say 40 million pounds and he struggles in England, it is only a matter of time until Roberto Mancini pulls the plug on him and looks for his replacement. Then, City will try and ship out Hazard, and will have to surrender some millions of dollars for another team to sign him. Of course, I am just playing the hypothetical game here, but it has happened with other City players and it will continue to happen as long as the circus of Khaldoon and Mansour are in town.

Rarely does this happen at United. Aside from players like Eric Djemba-Djemba and Bebe, how many players have we brought in only to give up on them and get back less than what we paid for? Not many and that is a certainty. Sure United have let players leave their ranks after receiving them by method of transfer, but in many cases their value increases. Ronaldo, is just one prime example of this, while Nani could be another should he leave this summer or next. Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra could have been cashed in for profits of upwards of 25 million pounds, but, their choices to remain with the club coupled with the fact that Sir Alex makes these players a part of a TEAM has left them seeking more glory in the United shirt.

Players stick around at United, making each of them a valuable cornerstone in the clubs success. Antonio Valencia, Nani, Michael Carrick, along with Evra and Vidic, are some more recent additions that have contributed a great deal to the club already. Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones, David De Gea, Johnny Evans and the Da Silva twins will be the next crop in line to be counted on giving Sir Alex, the club, and its fans a quality amount of time to produce some special things on the pitch. That’s the United way, and that is the way we like it.

Episode XXIV: United In Review

Jason (@JasTheDevil), Chudi (@TheBusbyWay), and I (@Blogging Reds) retell our final day experiences, breakdown the 2011/2012 season, give out a few awards and thank the listeners for a fantastic inaugural year.

Premier League Preview: Match Day 38 - A Super Sunday

Daniel Meola 

They say it isn’t over ‘til it’s over. Sunday will mark the end of another gut wrenching Premier League campaign, but, things are anything but decided at the top. With Manchester United and Manchester City still locked on points heading into the final day, we will take a look at all the angles that will leave one team crowned champions and the others, second.

UNITED V SUNDERLAND:

United and their northern neighbours have played anything but meaningful games since Sunderland came back into the Premier League to stay a handful of years ago. Since their reentry into the top flight, United have had their number whenever they have met. Whether it has been early in the season, middle of the run in, end of the campaign, and yes, even those Boxing Day memories, United have stuck it to the Black Cats with results. Now under Martin O’Neill, Sunderland have played some of their best football in some time. Despite blowing a two goal advantage at City to let the current league leaders tie the game in the final five minutes, O’Neill has gotten the most out of some out of sorts squad players. James McClean and Nicklas Bendtner have both impressed in recent memory, while Seb Larsson is looking every bit the player they had high hopes for since his switch from Birmingham. The same squad that faces United on Sunday put up three goals at the Etihad a short time ago. With goal catching up to the league leaders via goal difference out of the question, United will need to concentrate on the getting the win, while hoping a bit of luck happens back home.

CITY V QPR

When the sides first met early in the season, City were given a real scare when their perfect record was almost ended by a side fresh off promotion. Now, on the final day,  both sides find themselves in similar positions. QPR are looking to keep their Premier League hopes alive while City are hoping to be in the same place they were after their first meeting with Rangers; atop the Premier League. This is a tricky game for City. While they might have the best attacking side in all of English football, their back four aside from Vincent Kompany has been questionable at times. City passed their first pressure test just two weeks ago, beating United in a game that many believe was the title decider. City came out with more flair and purpose then their red neighbours, but some can even fault United for not attempting to win the game, instead, hoping not to lose. The pressure remains on City again come Sunday, with Roberto Mancini and his side looking to wrap up a first league title in over forty years. With QPR needing a point to assure their top flight status, and Joey Barton and Mark Hughes out to prove something to their old employers, anything can always happen on the final day of the season.

PREDICTED STARTING XI’s:

Manchester United – De Gea, Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Rafael, Giggs, Carrick, Scholes, Young, Nani, Rooney

Sunderland – Mignolet, Bardsley, Turner, Bramble, O’Shea, McClean, Cattermole, Gardener, Larsson, Sessegnon, Bendtner

FINAL DAY PREDICTIONS: United win 3-0 with goals from Rooney, Young and Giggs. QPR draw City 1-1 as final day drama gets the better of Mancini’s men (crosses fingers). Bolton, Blackburn and Wolves all playing Championship football next year.

United Ease Past Swans with One Test Left on Final Day

Daniel Meola 

Manchester United kept pace with league leaders Manchester City last Sunday, however failed in their quest to catch up on goal difference. United humbled Swansea at the Theatre of Dreams by a 2-0 scoreline, with both goals coming in the first half. The Red Devils came out of the gates looking for goals but only stumbled upon missed chances after a slew of opportunities that most notably occurred in the second half. Forwards Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez looked out of sorts to say the least, with each squandering guilt edged flashes in front of net. Had United picked up a win by a larger margin, Sunday’s upcoming encounter with Sunderland would have made things all the more interesting. As it is, United may still be chasing their 20^th league title, but it is Queens Park Rangers who will now need to provide the shock of the season by earning a result at the Etihad Stadium.

A SUPPORTERS TAKE:

After Paul Scholes had opened the scoring for United, Ashley Young followed suit just 15 minutes later. Going into the locker room up 2-0, it was more so about damage limitation for Brendan Rodgers’ Swansea. United come out of the dressing room with 45 minutes to play and the result of City’s game against Newcastle already finished. By now, United are in just the same position they were when they entered the day, behind their neighbours by eight goals but level on points. With United up 2-0 and City having already won by that same score, United knew they needed a couple goals at the minimum to at least make things interesting on two fronts on the final day.

The half started with much promise, with United going forward with every opportunity they got. However, something was missing. Despite having a large bulk of the possession and moves going forward, United lacked any sort of killer instinct that many thought wouldn’t be questioned in the second half. Look, everyone knew that possibly the only way to overtake City now was on goal difference, and while that may have been very difficult, it may have been the best option given the final day fixture opponents for both teams. United are away to Sunderland, while City are home to QPR. Here’s the take on that.

For many, QPR travelling to City is more of a likely shock than United going to the Stadium of Light. Sure Sunderland have the better squad and going into their ground isn’t the easiest of tasks, but look at the surrounding notes. Earlier in the season, QPR entertained City at Loftus Road and gave them a game they wouldn’t forget. Jay Bothroyd got the hosts off to a flyer and gave QPR the lead with a quality strike. Shortly after, he hit the post just before half time which would have out his side up 2-0. Instead, City managed to score twice after the interval only for Heidar Helguson to equalize with a fine header with just over 10 minutes remaining. Things looked headed for a draw until Yaya Toure powered home a header. QPR weren’t done yet, and actually piled more chances on Joe Hart and even clipped the bar once more. It was easily one of the hardest games City has played all year.

Now, facing QPR this time around is a little different. The pressure is all on City to wrap up their first league title in over forty years, while QPR themselves will be taking no chances with their survival. A solitary point for the Hoops would keep them in the Premier League another year, while a loss plus wins from teams below them could spell their end. And, oh yeah, Mark Hughes, former City manager who was axed and replaced by Mancini, might have one final thing to say to his former employers. Not to mention, he’s ex United.

United Announce First Leg of Summer Tour

Charles Klein

Manchester United announced this afternoon that the team will begin their preparations for the 2012/2013 season in Oslo, Norway. It will be the reds first appearance in the Scandinavian country since 2002. The Red Devils will take on Valerenga, who are currently third in this season's Tippeligean. 

Chief Executive David Gill announced ahead of the tour "We have fantastic fans in Norway - the Scandinavian supporter's club is our biggest anywhere in the world with over 40,000 members. It's great to have the chance to play in front of them again."

DHL will sponsor United's summer tour once again, with John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express Europe commenting "We are delighted to be involved in another tour with Manchester United. Using our global network we'll be supporting the back room team to prepare for the Oslo leg of the tour and ensure that the team are ready to deliver success on the pitch."

Per site writer Nick Coppack, the rest of the United tour stops will be released in due course. Rumours abound of an inevitable tour of Asia after United has made two consecutive trips to the United States. South Korean superstar Park Ji-Sung is on the masthead for the United summer tour logo, thus such a rumour could prove to be more than that. 

Wherever United travel this summer, it is without doubt that it will be to great fanfare and support by its fans. 

Premier League Preview: Manchester United v Swansea City

Daniel Meola 

With all the pre and post match Manchester Derby hype seemingly evaporating, perhaps the most important week in the Barclays Premier League is just around the corner. With United behind City on goal difference, any further slipups by each side could prove to be their demise. Any combination of results could swing the title in either direction. With only 180 minutes of football left to play, the window of opportunity is shrinking for the Reds, while Mancini’s men get a firmer grip on their first league title in over 40 years. The task may become even more of a challenge for the Blues though, even being atop United so late on. A trip to Newcastle awaits on Sunday, highlighting another eventful week in the English top flight.

Alan Pardew’s side are currently tied with Tottenham for the fourth and final Champions League place, with the Toon soundly beating Chelsea 2-0 earlier in the week. City’s visit to the newly dubbed Sports Direct Arena will be nothing short of difficult, with the Magpies playing an excellent brand of football at home. It will be the last home match of the season for the Geordie faithful to cheer on their heroes, a must win game in the balance to keep the pace with Spurs or even surpass them. At home, City have not lost a game all season, yet their road form is not exactly up to snuff. With two teams playing for their respective maximum accomplishments, the title could be decided tomorrow.

If City are to do any slipping up on Sunday, United will need to strike while the iron is hot. Swansea will visit Old Trafford about two hours after City and Newcastle kick off. The result will be determined by the time the Red Devils go to work, and the performance will reflect the outcome in Tyneside without doubt. Should City beat Newcastle, United will look to up the ante with an attacking squad that will look to hang up a cricket score on the first Welsh team to grace the Premier League. Should City lose, United may keep things a bit more conservative, knowing that a point would tip them to the top again. Without Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck, the task against the Swans will not be simple. Evans, who missed the Manchester Derby and Welbeck, who was hurt in the same match, both couldn’t shake foot injuries in time to help United’s final push to glory.

Brendan Rodgers has equipped his side well in his first season as a Premier League manager. Swansea look to be more than a formidable side with steady defense, a solid goalkeeper and flashy attacking options in the middle of the park. Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer have provided pace and trickery for forward Danny Graham to have simple goal chances times after time. A midfield duo of Joe Allen and ex Premier League loanee Gylfi Sigurdsson give the Swans a box to box midfielder and a long distance goal threat respectively. With talent in the side, Rogers will be hoping to strengthen the squad come the summer transfer window to solidify their stay in the Premier League. United will remember that the last time these two sides met in Wales, a narrow 1-0 victory was had by the men in red. Javier Hernandez was the hero that day, and more of the same may be required from the ‘little pea’ as United fight on.

PREDICTED STARTING XI’s:

Manchester United – De Gea, Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Rafael, Young, Carrick, Scholes, Valencia, Rooney, Hernandez

Swansea City – Vorm, Taylor, Williams, Monk, Caulker, Sinclair, Sigurdsson, Allen, Britton, Dyer, Graham

MANCHESTER UNTIED PLAYER WATCH:

Antonio Valencia – After only playing a pocket of minutes in the Manchester Derby, Tony V should come back with a chip on his shoulder for not being as involved as he should be on Monday night. United are going to need him too, especially if this race comes to goal difference. Valencia can get into the box at will against some of the best in his business while his crosses cause havoc each time of asking. If United are looking to put up a big number on Swansea, they will need this man to do it.

SWANSEA PLAYER WATCH:

Scott Sinclair – The former Chelsea starlet looks to have found a cozy home in Wales, as he continually remains one of the first names on Rodgers’ team sheet. After struggling spells with Chelsea and Wigan, Sinclair has come into his own with the Swans, forming a tantalizing duo with Nathan Dyer. The two wingers have speed to burn and Sinclair, the fancy footwork to dance around defenders. Like Valencia, Swansea live off of his ability to drive toward the penalty area and whip in crosses. He drew but missed a penalty with his trickery against Manchester City; fullbacks beware.

MATCH PREDICTION: 5-0 United. Swansea have recently given up a four spot to a hapless Wolves team who couldn’t seem to put the ball into an ocean let alone a net. The Red Devils will be looking to close the goal difference gap in this game especially, being that it will be the last performance in front of the home fans this season. Supporters will be expecting a show, and United would be wise to abide.

DON’T BE SURPRISED IF: The game is closer than predicted. Swansea are a good side with quality organization that are rarely beaten badly. I think a win at Old Trafford in such a crunch game may be beyond them, but putting on a decent display and a good fight isn’t.