The Official Manchester United Thread

[TF S4DK]

Okay.

[MF Cunt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjM3Q_6lB-0&feature=player_embedded

[Young £]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/anderson-i-have-the-qualities-to-be-player-of-the-year-next-season-2276757.html?

The Manchester United midfielder Anderson has a story about the beginnings of his professional career that tells you everything you need to know about why this talented Brazil international believes that he will be a success in England.

It begins in the canteen that served the youth-team players at his first club Gremio in his hometown of Porto Alegre in southern Brazil. Anderson was approached by the first-team manager who demanded to know why he had two mobile phones on that table in front of him. "I said 'Why do you want to know? I'm the one who pays the bills'," Anderson recalls. "He was surprised with my reaction because I was very young. He asked me if I played as much as I spoke. I said: 'I'm better than some of the players you have in your team'."

The Gremio manager was intrigued and rang the former Brazil international Branco, then in charge of the junior national teams, for a reference. "Apparently Branco said about me, 'He's a very good player but he's a bit crazy'," Anderson says. "We had a derby coming up against Internacional. It's like United v City. The Gremio manager told me to go to the hotel and join the first team. I had never even trained with them. I played and scored a goal. We lost 2-1. I was 15 years old."

Tomorrow he faces Arsenal, against whom he had one of the best performances of his United career in the 2009 Champions League semi-final first leg, in yet another pivotal game at the end of the season. For Anderson, the prospect of a glittering end to the season is nothing new: in his four years at the club he has already featured in two Champions League finals and won two Premier League medals.

You might think that you know Anderson: a stroppy expression made worse by a general aversion to being substituted but the character who presented himself at United's training ground yesterday was very different. He has that well-disposed Brazilian attitude to life, was delighted at the rare Mancunian sunshine and joked that he could not possibly have his photograph taken with his hair out of the usual plaits.

It was his performances against Arsenal that inspired the song Old Trafford sings about Anderson – unrepeatable in full – which compares him favourably to Cesc Fabregas. Given how Arsenal's season has tailed off as United have gotten stronger, does he agree with the view that the general lack of experience in Arsène Wenger's team has proved their undoing?

"Arsenal are a great team, everybody knows that," he says. "In the last three years they have been competing with United. They have great players: Fabregas, [Robin] van Persie and [Alex] Song. It will be a tough game for us.

"They have a lot of young players but it is also important to have Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Edwin van der Sar and, in the past, Gary Neville. They have the knowledge and experience and they can transmit that easily to the younger players and that helps a lot.

"Now the Arsenal team doesn't have [Thierry] Henry, [Patrick] Vieira, [sol] Campbell, [Freddie] Ljungberg – players like that. United has those kind of players, it is important for them to pass their experience to us. I have learned a lot from Scholes. Those players are important.

"They are the type of players who are keen to help and give a word of advice, on and off the pitch. They are like part of the furniture of the club. They are part of the club's history. They helped me adapt to this club and I am thankful for that."

Anderson has a new deal until 2015, signed in December after his return from a cruciate knee ligament injury sustained in February last year. That kept him out until September, a seven-month period that he admits was one of the most frustrating of his career. During that time he was involved in a car accident in Portugal in the summer that he dismisses as unimportant but there was the growing feeling that he needed to prove himself to Sir Alex Ferguson on his return.

He came back with some notable performances and played 22 games before he suffered another knee injury in February that threatened to end his season for the second straight year. Back this month, he was the outstanding player against Everton last Saturday. He may have had some contrasting fortunes over the last 12 months but he is on the brink of a third league title and a third Champions League final appearance.

It is not hard to see that confidence in Anderson and while he admits that United are not at Wembley yet, the possibility of another final against Barcelona is a tantalising prospect. "I think we can do it [beat them]," he says. "Barcelona has a great team and good players like [Lionel] Messi and Xavi... we beat them once and we lost that final [2009] to them. United is one of the top clubs. We are close to them and – if we get there – it will be close again.

"I think United is the only team that Barcelona respect a lot. They are always careful with us because we also have a great team. We have great players who can stop Messi, in defence, midfield and attack. We can face Barcelona and cope. They are well aware of that and they have a lot of respect for us. It will not be easy for them to beat us. It will be 50-50.

"Messi is an out-of-this-world player but we cannot just worry about Messi, we have to worry about other players too. Nowadays football is a lot about details and if you make a mistake you can lose a trophy or a championship."

That self-belief comes from a childhood that, by his own admission, was deprived. You get the impression that if Anderson had not stood his ground in that canteen in Gremio, he

might never have made it. He is no different when it comes to his own career at United during which, he points out, he has never had the benefit of a proper pre-season preparation.

He came to United, signed in May 2007, still recovering from a broken leg. The following summer he played for Brazil at the Beijing Olympics and the last two summers have been interrupted by injury. "This year I will do a pre-season," he says, "I will maintain 100 per cent performance in every match and there will be matches I hope I will be able to be the decisive players."

It is delivered in a matter-of-fact way in the manner of someone who has no reason to doubt himself. Are we, I enquire, talking player of the year material? "Definitely," he says. "I have the qualities for that. I know that. I know that I have qualities to be a great player. I am still young, if I am physically well, and if I want to, I can be a great player."

He wants to go back to Brazil one day but sees a long-term future for himself at United – "I want to be a part of United's history like Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, at least a little part of the club's history." He joined, he said, mainly because of the influence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Queiroz, and admitted that he did not know much about United before he signed.

"Ronaldo is an exceptional person and fantastic player," he says. "He was able to win everything at United. He was attracted to Real Madrid but this doesn't mean that one day he will not be able to return. He likes the football in the Premier League. He likes this football club and you never know, he might come back one day." I exchange a surprised glance with our interpreter. "I think so," says Anderson. "He loved United and still loves them. Anything can happen. You never know."

Finally we move on to his childhood in Porto Alegre. The father of two daughters, Anderson is well accustomed to being the breadwinner, a role he took on, on behalf of his parents and three siblings at 11 as a schoolboy player at Gremio. His father died at 41 when Anderson was just 14. When I ask what his father did for a living, Anderson makes a drinking motion with his hand.

"I come from a background where I suffered a lot of deprivation," he says. "Not only me but my family also suffered a lot and now they are happy for me because they have everything that they need. I have been able to support my whole family. They have apartments, houses, cars – they are sorted out for life.

"I had to leave home when I was 12 to fulfil my dream of being a footballer and thank God I was able to do that. I put my belongings in a bin bag and moved to a friend's house. Then I moved to the Gremio academy. I was earning the equivalent of £300 a month. I kept £100 and gave the rest to my mother.

"I lost my father when I was 14 years old. My father lived next door to me in an apartment with my grandmother. I was sad because no one knocked on my door to ask for help because me and my brother would have taken him to hospital even though he didn't want to go. He thought his life was finished. He didn't want to live anymore. That is my only regret."

He tells the story with a philosophical shrug. I put it to him that some people are too quick to judge wealthy young footballers. He agrees. "People see a young footballer buy a car or a house and say, 'He's moody, he's not nice'. But maybe they don't know what this player suffered in the past. Maybe he starved, maybe he missed out on a lot of things that a 12-year-old shouldn't miss out on.

"People don't think about this. Nowadays if I need to buy something I will do. The people who judge me never put food in my fridge [when I was young]. I have my own money and I worked for it and as long as I don't tread on anyone else – that's fine."

As we go to leave, I ask him if he is in the team for tomorrow. He replies that he cannot tell me that kind of information. Ferguson would nod in approval. Anderson might have had his ups and downs but if he delivers as he says he will over the next months, there will be no looking back.

My Other Life

At home I play my old PlayStation, talk to my daughters and watch TV. In the past when I had a day off I liked to go out and chat up a few girls but I cannot do that anymore because I have a steady girlfriend!

[Kompressor]

anyone on here going to Gary Neville's testimonial.

By all accounts seems like tickets are shifting pretty slowly, which is a f*ck*ng disgrace to put it lightly.

The fact that it falls on the Tuesday before the CL final. May have something to do with it, but doesnt excuse it at all.

And remember all money raised goes to Charities of Nevilles choice and ive heard he may be putting it into local sporting schemes and projects.

The FA youth cup final is the day before aswell.

Remember being pissed off at the fact that 20legend's testimonial didnt sell out either.

And a part of me is sure Roy Keanes only sold out because we gave Celtic 25k tickets.

[Yoshie]

Might be going to that Gary Neville thing, is it something to do with Juve?

/

Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Edwin van der Sar to ignore the dressing-room pleas for him to extend his career by another season and quit whilst he is still on top of his game.

The 40-year-old Dutchman announced his intention to retire earlier this year.

Since then, he has maintained an impressively high standard, leading to calls from Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand amongst others to abandon his plans.

However, Ferguson is fearful that Van der Sar's standards may start to slip rapidly and without warning.

And the Manchester United boss is too much of a fan to want that to happen.

"If I was giving advice to Edwin van der Sar, right now, I would say retire," said Ferguson.

"He is at the absolute pinnacle of his career but sometimes, when a player gets to that age, age comes onto you very suddenly.

"I wouldn't want to see Edwin van der Sar in that situation. He deserves to go out at the very top and hopefully he does that."

Van der Sar is aiming to land the third Champions League triumph of his career, in addition to his fourth Premier League title since moving north from Fulham in 2005.

"His career has been absolutely fantastic," said Ferguson.

"It is not just what he does on the football field. It is how he has handles himself as a professional and a human being.

"He is absolutely outstanding. In our dressing room at half-time and before games, he is absolutely fantastic.

"My advice to him is that this is the time.

"There is no reason for him to risk another year and maybe drop below his standard."

[darkman]

Anyone know what's really wrong with Fletcher?

[TF S4DK]

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Darren Fletcher will feature in the second leg of Manchester United's Champions League semi-final with Schalke.

"Darren Fletcher will play part of the game tomorrow night. He's working hard and he'll be involved," said the United boss.

He had a virus that made him lose weight.

[anelka]

lool Fergie really is the king of mind games lol fully messing with Edwin's mind there, the old bacon faced, wisky drinking glaswegian

[JOHN DOE]

INNNNIT

if i have a son im gonna name him alex in his honour

real tarks

[TF S4DK]

Have Manchester United uncovered their very own Patrick Vieira?

Down the years Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United have endured many a battle against a tall and powerful French midfielder. But now, Fergie's got one of his own.

Step forward Paul Pogba, a 18-year-old with all the qualities of a young Patrick Vieira, and arguably a few more. Having been plucked from near obscurity at Ligue 2's Le Havre, Pogba looks set for a bright future under Ferguson's tutelage.

The youngster arrived at Old Trafford in 2009, amid a spat with parent club Le Havre. The French side cried foul over the transfer, suggesting The Red Devils had broken a pre-contract agreement in signing elsewhere. United rallied, claiming that the agreement did not prevent clubs from outside France from signing the player. After nearly a year of wrangling the two clubs finally reached an agreement.

The exciting box-to-box midfielder made his debut for Manchester United's Under 18's in October of 2009, and it very quickly became apparent why Manchester United had fought so hard to push the transfer through, despite any possible damage it could do to their reputation. Pogba's powerful, energetic, yet stylish approach to the game make him a perfect fit for English football.

The first thing you notice about the Frenchman is his physique. Pogba is comfortably over six foot and boasts good upper body strength, and a long stride. Yet far from being a big languid unit in the middle of the park, he has a swagger in possession, and is not afraid to dribble, run at defenders or shoot from range.

It was the step up into United's Reserve team where that latter quality was really shown off, when he scored a notable screamer from all of 30 yards against Portsmouth Reserves. The goal impressed all watching, including Sir Alex Ferguson. It's a feat he's repeated a number of occasions, including at international level with France, for whom he is a current Under 19 international.

This season has been another of steady development for Pogba. He has been named in a number of first-team squads, and that will become a more regular occurrence if he continues to work hard at developing his game. The perfect way to show he's on track for a first-team role is to do what United do best - win trophies. Pogba is set to play a key role in the upcoming FA Youth Cup Final against Sheffield United, having previously turned in solid displays in the previous rounds, most notably against Chelsea in the semi-final.

Many fans and pundits have speculated that Ferguson may reshuffle his midfield this summer, introducing some fresh blood to act as competition to the likes of Darren Fletcher, Darron Gibson and Anderson. Paul Pogba will hope to be at the fore-front of those plans, as a new wave of impressive United youngsters make their push for the first-team.

http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/talentspotter/archive/2011/05/05/have-manchester-united-uncovered-their-very-own-patrick-vieira.aspx

[n/a]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/06/manchester-united-ravel-morrison-charge

[Yoshie]

FFS

[Tee]

d*ckhead

[The King]

d*ckhead

[Gambino]

SMH That guy does not have his head screwed on.

Newspaper claiming were going for Sporting Lisbons keeper but theres talk that a deal for Stekelenberg is done. I think Stek will be the first choice signing if not De Gea.

[Agony]

Top 5 #MUFC passers this season: Patrice Evra - 1,664, Nemanja Vidic - 1,454, Nani - 1,430, Darren Fletcher - 1,392, Michael Carrick 1,280.

Top 5 #MUFC pass success %'s: Paul Scholes - 89.9%, Michael Carrick - 85.6%, Jonny Evans - 86.4%, Darron Gibson - 84.2%, Park Ji-Sung - 84%.

Other pass success %'s: Fletcher - 82.1%, Ferdinand - 81%, Vidic - 80.7%, Anderson - 80.4%, Evra - 80.2%. #MUFC

Top 5 #MUFC interceptors this season: Nemanja Vidic - 93, Patrice Evra - 84, Michael Carrick - 57, Rafael da Silva - 50, Rio Ferdinand - 43.

Top 5 #MUFC tackle success: Darron Gibson - 76.5% Nemanja Vidic - 72.6% Rio Ferdinand - 71.6% Darren Fletcher - 63.9% Patrice Evra - 61.7%.

@rioferdy5 has #MUFC's 5th top interception rate (43), 3rd best tackle success rate (71.6%) and 7th top pass success rate (81%) in 2010-11.

Michael Carrick has #MUFC's 5th top most passes (1280), 3rd top interceptions (57 - highest of MFs) and 2nd best pass success rate (85.6%).

Darron Gibson has #MUFC's 4th highest pass success rate (84.2%) and highest tackle success rate (76.5%) in 2010-11.

Nemanja Vidic has 2nd most amount of passes (1454), 2nd highest tackle success (72.6%) and most interceptions (93) for #MUFC in 2010-11.

[Natty]

f*ck.

How much was Vidic again?

[Agony]

£7m

[Hernandez Balcazar]

mouthytypers youtube accounts been ghosted

[Guest haze-e]

Vidic>>

[Guest M12 Part 2]

Are guys really saying Vidic>_______ bcos of pass completion. You do know that most of his passes are 5 yards to Ferdinand or carrick. The stat is useless.

[Guest Portuguese]

SMH That guy does not have his head screwed on.

Newspaper claiming were going for Sporting Lisbons keeper but theres talk that a deal for Stekelenberg is done. I think Stek will be the first choice signing if not De Gea.

You want to hope the newspaper is lying

Keep away the guy is horrible there aleast 10 or more keepers better than this guy in the Prem

Stekelenburg seems much more sensible

De Gea isn't ready whatsoever give him three or four more years

[Gambino]

I've never actually seen De Gea play so dunno about him. Thought Stekelenberg looked solid at the World cup, where as I didn't rate Neuer when I seen him there. Had a good first leg against United but then looked pretty sh*t against us in the 2nd.

[Guest Portuguese]

Lloris is the best out there.

Its going to be another Schmeichel replacement problem when VDS retires it took six years and 10+ keepers

Neuer reminds me of Hildenbrand(the hype around this guy in 2003-2005)

[Guest M12 Part 2]

Saf best manager in history. With no money and a "sh*t" squad premier league winners and possible champions league winners. DPMO