The start of the season is finally there and we have had a rather quiet silly season, other than being rumoured to have been interested in everyone who can kick a ball and has a high price tag. Pretty much like Harry Redknapp during every break but it seems that all our signings were done since a long time and chances of anyone other than Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez joining the ranks are rather slim. And just like last year, it doesn’t matter because our squad *is* strong already and the two only signings we made were sensible ones.

Last year I said:

Contrary to what most people have announced, we do not need any more new signings because ManUtd is already a stronger squad than last season, even after CR7 and Tevez left Old Trafford.
With the arrival of the talented Gabriel Obertan, Michael Owen, who signed on a free and Antonio Valencia’s arrival times certainly look great for the Red Devils.

Although at many times last season our vulnerabilities have been exploited, we must be honest and admit that the squad wasn’t weaker due to the departure of Cryboy and the Gelled Tumbler. What did happen though was that we struggled once more with a huge amount of injuries and these cost us lots. And to be honest, if I see one problem this season it’s in the defensive department again.

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Tags:   Defence · Hernandez · Rio Ferdinand · Squad · Transfer Talk

The Bulgarian record signing, who scored his second of the season on Saturday against Stoke, has hailed Ryan Giggs as the player who made the decisive impact at the Britannia Stadium.
The veteran United legend come on for the still inconsisted Portuguese Nani in the 60th minutes, only to follow up very quickly with a splicing assist Berbatov only had to tap in. The Red Devils took the lead and before the end whistle was blown Giggs had delivered a second assist which O’Shea nodded in.

Their is no doubt about the impact of the Welsh star this season and one can easily say ‘Who needs Cristiano Ronaldo? Mark Hughes does!’, but at the same time it is a rather disappointing and scary situation we are living right at the moment. One which could cost us the title if we don’t watch out. Continue reading »

Tags:   Analysis · Dimitar Berbatov · News · Ryan Giggs · Squad

21-Year old Irish international Darron Gibson has agreed a 3 year extension and aim to be involved more with the first squad next term.

Last season I enjoyed every opportunity and when I got my chance I wanted to prove what I could do. I hope to continue that this season.

Gibson made 14 appearances last season, scoring three times, one of them a hurler in the last game of the 2008-2009 season, against Hull. He also participated to the complete and winning Carling Cup final. Chances to see Gibson receive even more time on the pitch will probably increase every season as he is highly talented and has a very good position game. Continue reading »

Tags:   Eckersley · Gibson · Squad

When earlier today the news was announced that Michael Owen the legendary Manchester United number 7, previously worn by ManUtd legends Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, I shuddered. Was one of our most traditional and important numbers in the history of Old Trafford going to a Scouser?

But quickly I remembered that this was a sign of Alex Ferguson’s confidence in Owen, just like he handed the number 7 to Ronaldo straightly upon arrival. The gaffer obviously has mellowed, even though we all know that he still wants ManUtd to win most League titles in history, more than Liverpool FC.

Two seasons ago Wayne Rooney was handed another legendary ManUtd number 10, Denis Law’s favourite number. Does this partnership have the potential to become a legendary one? The #7 and #10 partnership, the most feared striker tandem for every defense in England and Europe?

In other news, you can now also follow Manchester United Blog on Twitter.

Tags:   History · owen · SAF · Squad

In a press conference at OT Sir Alex Ferguson presented the new signings and announced that ManUtd will not be spending any more money this summer.

Contrary to what most people have announced, we do not need any more new signings because MAnUtd is already a stronger squad than last season, even after CR7 and Tevez left Old Trafford.
With the arrival of the talented Gabriel Obertan, Michael Owen, who signed on a free and Antonio Valencia‘s arrival times certainly look great for the Red Devils.

There is no doubt that we will see a different United, still as fast and dangerous on the breakout but our attack will be different. There where Ronaldo loved to keep the ball and try to score as often as possible, his assist rate was rather one-sided and he would only pass when on the break out. Only seldom did he pass to Rooney or Berbatov when we had pushed the opponent in their 16 and were trying to find an opening. Continue reading »

Tags:   Analysis · Obertan · owen · SAF · Squad · Transfer Talk · Valencia

Interesting words on the possible future role of Michael Owen at ManUtd by former England international Paul Merson.

… he just seems to know where the ball is going. You can tell that by the amount of headed goals he gets, especially for Newcastle. He’s nowhere near the biggest on the pitch, but he still gets there first, because instinctively he knows where to go.

People talk about him losing that crucial yard of pace and it might be true, but I don’t think it will matter at United one bit. Yes, between the halfway line and the edge of the box it has affected his game, but he won’t need that – it’s in the penalty area where they want him.

Michael is not interested in dropping deep and linking up and United will not want him to do that – they already have Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov to do that.

Basically this means we signed a new RVN, only slightly smaller. I am looking forward to this and am sure Michael is the poacher we need in many games. Now Berba will have to prove his work rate though. When last year I thought the perfect triangle up front would be Rooney, Berbatov and Tevez, all three in a free role, alternating their position freely, this season I can perfectly imagine the tandem Rooney – Owen as a lethal recipe for more silverware.

Tags:   Berbatov · owen · Squad

Old Trafford confirmed yesterday that Ben Foster, two times England international, has signed an extension for four more years at ManUtd. Foster who committed until 2013 and has been at OT since 2005 is rumoured to be the first choice stopper once EVDS finishes his career and is also said to be the next England first choice. The news of the extension comes as a surprise after he said some weeks ago that he might have to look elsewhere to increase his chances to be selected for 2010′s World Cup in South Africa.

The question which comes with this is what with Kuszczak?

The Polish stopper has been at Old Trafford since 2004 and regularly provided good backup for EVDS. Will he be satisfied with a third spot or will he want to go elsewhere now and play regularly?

Tags:   Foster · Kuszczak · Squad · VDS

According to media reports Real Madrid might sell several of it’s Dutch stars after President Perez claimed that the Spanish squad needs has become to large and needs to be trimmed down. The cull could be as big as up to 10 players and Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Royston Drenthe and Klaas Jan Huntelaar are all tipped to depart the Spanish capital.

Should we be interested in any of these players, can they improve our squad?

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Tags:   Huntelaar · Real Madrid · RObben · RVN · Squad · Tranfers

Last season it was double for us.Played our lives out and made the matches look easy.Though things are looking different this time.Not regarding with the team or players but more with the competitors.Massive million signings and new blood of youth filling premier ship is making our ties really uneasy.So what are the sections we can still get even better… Continue reading »

Tags:   Analysis · Huntelaar · Squad · Strategy · Transfers