http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2009/09/does-scholes-remain-one-of-manchester-uniteds-most-important-players.html

Note: SAF is in talks to extend Scholes’ contract…

Mr. Wenger is calling Manchester United’s tactics on Saturday “anti-football.” The only way in which I agree is to the extent that we came with a 4-5-1 formation AT HOME with Rooney all along up top. Just like against Barcelona in Rome, our midfield looked awful. Very weak and lacking creativity. I don’t know how this guy is playing in the number 16 shirt, it is not the Michael Carrick I remember. Wenger also complained a great deal about Darren Fletcher and all his fouls being anti-football (he never said his name but alluded to a blond midfielder). Does Wenger remember that RVP also had 6 fouls and a booking? Do we need to talk about penalties? You cannot compare the Eduardo dive against Celtic and Rooney. Boruc pulled his arms back and you can see  space between the bodies. Rooney did make a move to the ground BUT the law states that if a goalie makes contact with a player and denies a goal scoring opportunity then it is a penalty. End of story?

Hoffenheim, the newcomers to the Bundesliga last year, have added two young Americans to their team. Attacker Joseph-Claude Gyau and midfielder Charles Renken (16 and 15 respectively). I can go both ways on this: I am very excited that a good Bundesliga team are scouting our youth, this can only be great news for the national team. BUT, where is the MLS in all this? I know players will always fall through the cracks, but the fact is players still want to make their professional career in Europe (when I was a kid, playing a in Europe was always THE dream over winning let’s say an MLS cup…). I guess we can keep the same “it’s a young league, give it time,” argument. Excuses… Get rid of the Salary Cap, or at least rework it!

This year, it is still way to early to tell. Arsenal look smashing, but their win against Portsmouth is hard to measure. Portsmouth looked absolutely dismal last week, my senior year high school team could have beat “Pompey.”

Let’ go back to the 92-93 season (when the Premier League officialy began and left the old system in the dust), and work forward and see how United do at home against the Gunners. United score listed first:

92-93, 0-0

93-94, 1-0

94-95, 3-0

95-96, 1-0

96-97, 1-0

97-98, 0-1

98-99, 1-1

99-00, 1-1

00-01, 6-1

01-02, 0-1

02-03, 2-0

03-04, (Arsenal’s famous “invincible” season where they went undefeated for 38 games) 0-0

04-05, 2-0

05-06, 2-0

06-07, 0-1

07-08, 2-1

08-09, 0-0

09-10 ??

Let’s hope for some goals, these matches used to be extremely violent and aggresive with players getting abused after missing penalties (Ruud van Nistelrooy). I predict a 2-1 United win solely because of playing at Old Trafford with some confidence after the slaying of Wigan…

Also this weekend in Munich can FC Hollywood (Bayern) overturn the return fixture from last season against (the eventual champions) Wolfsburg? They beat them handily 5-1, and below is arguably the goal of the Bundesliga last year: Oh Grafite!

Bayern are having a wobble. They have collected 2 points from a possible 9, and this is unacceptable for Bayern. They are the perennial champions of the Bundesliga and a loss last weekend to newly promoted Mainz was horrific. It was no fluke, they deserved to lose. Wolfsburg are still steamrolling, but were slowed down by a Hamburg side who look absolutely stunning (in a Bundesliga sort of way). They would not beat the big guns of European football, but they are fluid in that next tier of European football. One of my favorite Bundesliga players, Mladen Petric is fantastic. He was great with Dortmund and once he settled in with Hamburg last season he has been a revelation.

Last thing, look how happy those Bayern players look in their Lederhosen und Bier, “das ist gut!” I predict a Wolfsburg win of 3-2.

“I’m forever blowing bubbles…”

In other news, are you getting ready for this weekend!!!!!

Manchester United vs. Arsenal

Bayern Munich vs.Wolfsburg

AC Milan vs. Inter Milan

Roma vs. Juventus

And the return of the darlings of European football, Barcelona. It should be a fantastic weekend, so send the wife, husband, girlfriend, or boyfriend out on a long list of errands and watch some football. You know I am going to do some prep work for this United and Arsenal match. I am biased, and I apologize

This will not help my dislike for Liverpool, but I guess this is all about hate in the first place, so more of it won’t help. As an American, I have no stake in what happened on that fateful day on April 15, 1989 in Hillsborough, but as a human what happened was terribly sad and horrific. Fan safety should be the number one concern for everybody working at a ground and on this day that was not the case.

As you know, I love this game immensely and am sad for this day…

There are two sides to every story, and Steven bears some of the blame, but like I said, one blog post cannot contain all the politics.

to lend your support go to www.worldsoccerdaily.com

To (help) ease the pain:

We got to see Michael Owen start with Wayne Rooney up top, and this started very well in the first five minutes, but then trailed off. This, to me, was not the big story which is not even about Manchester United: Burnley came to play (Side note: It has been a long time since I heard Old Trafford as electric as Turf Moor – it sure wasn’t on that fateful April day with me in attendance) and they won because of passion, guts, determination, and skill. Yeah I said it, skill. I like Steven Fletcher, his 3 million pound transfer from Hibernian was a great move, and he could have put Burnley up 2-0 right after that rocket of a volley by Robbie Blake. Manchester United looked confused at times with Rooney and Berbatov missing the cue on a ball, and Carrick missing a penalty that he should never have taken.

I want to take a moment and deal with the Ronaldo talks. All the media is saying that we are greiving the loss of CR, but I don’t agree. First of all, it is the second game of the season, and MUFC are traditionally a slow starting team. The fact that we beat Birmingham City on the opening day was stunning. if CR took that penalty who is to say he would make it? Go back to his stellar season – 07/08. Off the top of my head he missed some key penalties that season against: West Ham (away, which we lost), Barcelona (leg 1, drew 0-0), Chelsea (UCL Final, well we won that one). He did make some key ones: Namely Arsenal at Old Trafford which we won 2-1. Michael Carrick is a fantastic player, and God knows why he missed it (besides what his passport reads). When April comes along and we are sitting in 5th, then maybe Mancunians can grieve. Ronaldo has saved us in so many games over the past three seasons in particular, but I hope it doesn’t come to this…

I get so mad at Berbatov but he is handy. He was tied for second last season in the assist category at 10 (with the likes of Fabregas, Gerrard, and Lampard), and he does give Fergie something that none of the other strikers do, but at this point we need (more) goals.

The mistake of the night was putting on Gary Neville for Wes Brown at that point we need to score so we put on grandpa? Could have removed Park for Berbatov and had the three strikers in there, even Valencia played poorly, he could have been left on the bench. Well let’s hope we beat Wigan and put this behind us.

Fin.

Arsenal took care of Celtic in the first leg of the Champions League qualifiers. I really feel for Celtic, maybe it is the Catholic in me, those two goals were really unlucky, but Arsenal were never in doubt of being the better side.

Time to vent… Who has GolTv? Well there is a commentator, Pablo Alsina, who is so annoying that I want to burn my face off. I get it that GolTv has some Hispanic tendencies, and I appreciate the La Liga coverage, but when I am watching the Bundesliga and the closest thing to Guadalajara in Germany is a Turkish Kebab, I want to scream when Pablo screams “GGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL.”

Wait, wait I just got a phone call, and its 1994 (on a land-line mind you) saying that nobody in their right mind screams “GOL” anymore!  It’s like parents who think they are cool when they fake rap and do that hug “represent” RUN DMC thing, you know what I am referring too?

Well moving on…

The Premier League is upon us, and the opening weekend was pretty exciting. One final parenthetical comment before we get serious. Wayne Rooney gets uglier with each game – Shrek 4 in a theater (of Dreams) near you this fall…

Manchester City picked up a “tough” (how to enter sarcasm in a post, although historically City has had tough times at Ewood Park) victory at Blackburn. I really like Stephen Ireland, and I am glad that some solid players from last year are still making a difference – namely Ireland and SWP.

Arsenal, oh Arsenal…

When the field is green, and the ball has not changed to the Hi-Vis yellow/purple they play so beautifully, but please wait till the cold, wet, and groggy. I am still skeptical of the Arse, and I will only apologize for my doubts come 2010 if they don’t blow it LIKE THEY DO! Every season it is the same ol story of Arsenal putting a hurting on teams, including Manchester United, but then they eat too much at Christmas and the kids get their driver’s license and they choke. Moving on

What happened to Aston Villa? The defense was at 6s and 7s. I really did not think losing Martin Laursen would hurt as much as it has. There were moments against Wigan where defenders were standing, dumbfounded by the European finesse of the “Latics.” I like Villa, I do, and I hope they can contend, but they have a LONG season a head of them if their defense continues to struggle.

Tottenham, at home, with a victory! Wait till they leave the confines of White Hart Lane. They lost more games away from the Lane, but there is much to be optimistic about for Harry’s boys. Ledley King played fantastic. Torres was in his back pocket all afternoon.

Chelsea. They play like a game of “Risk.” They slowly, pragmatically, and deliberately move down the field and conquer the opponents, and it helps that those awful uniforms look like Roman military garb. Hull were never really in this game. Hunt had a nice goal, and he is to thank for Cech wearing that awful helmet. Drogba had two nice goals. I am not convinced the second goal was intended to be a goal, could have been a cross, but I know I would never admit that. Drogba admitted it was in fact a cross. Michael Essien is the man. Let’s get a red shirt on him!

We cannot complete this posting without talking about the USA vs. Mexico. EFF! I really thought we had it. What a goal from Charlie Davies! I have lost all my faith in Carlos Bocanegra. He is our captain!!! STILL!! Give it to Landon, give it to Timmy, just take it away from Carlos. I understand that Mexico needed the win way more than we did, and that the Azteca is a “cauldron,” but come on. When are we going to stop making excuses, we lost a lead AGAIN! We do not get sympathy points because we are the USA. I am fine with losing when the tactics make sense. With Bob Bradley there does not seem to be a plan b, c, d… If I see the defense kick the hell out of the ball to Brian “I am completely awful and should not play for the national team” Ching and then turn the ball over I am going to go AWOL from the Army Chaplaincy and become Canadian (Dwayne De Rosario has better goal celebrations anyways). We will still qualify, I know but I want to really dominate Mexico in Mexico City. What do you guys think of the game? Some other positives: I like Ricardo Clark a lot. I think him and Bradley have the middle of midfield cemented. I want Bradley to play higher up the park, but I get excited watching him.

Premier League:

1. Chelsea. It hurts to type this. It really does. You can’t argue with Fat Frank and the boys. There has not been a lot of turnover at the Bridge. Yuri Zhirkov could be the steal of the summer. I do hope John Terry fails in some respect. It took Mr. Chelsea FIVE WEEKS to declare his “loyalty” to Chelsea. If your blood “bleeds blue” why did you dabble with Manchester City (what shade of blue is the blood). Also anyone who strangles a coach, parks in a handicapped spot, pees on a dance floor, has a mom get arrested for shoplifting, or makes fun of American tourists after 9-11 is not a captain I want in my team. Nonetheless, Chelsea will win the title in ugly uniforms.

2. God’s Team – Manchester United. Fergie’s boys will not will an unprecedented fourth title in a row. 2008-2009 was the year of the “grind.” Too many 1-0 games last year where we were saved late by CR (or even Tevez against Wigan). Martin Samuel was right, “You do not sell your best players and get better.”

3. Liverpool. This was hard. I think they could be second. A lot is riding on Torres and Gerrard’s health. I really like the addition of Aquillani, but 20 million! Roma is laughing all the way to the bank! Losing Alonso is tough, but if Liverpool lose  Mascherano this will be deadly.  Gerrard would have to drop back and then the potent combo of Gerrard and Torres is over.

4. Arsenal. I really want to put Manchester City in here, just to make my prediction interesting, BUT Manchester City are a poor man’s Real Madrid. I don’t see how they can all play together and win with an uncertain back four. The Gooners will pick up where they left off with Andrei Arshavin. Adebayor was a cancer to the team, and Eduardo/Walcott/RVP are better. Every year Arsenal say it will be the year of the kids… well they have not won a meaningful trophy since Patrick Vieira (FAR FAR from young) put in the last penalty against Manchester United in the 2005 FA Cup.

5. Manchester City. I don’t believe Sparky can lead a team with no chemistry to the top four. The 10-11 season could be different, but as Spurs, Everton, and to a lesser extent Aston Villa have learned, the season is long and breaking into the top four is difficult.

6. Everton. David Moyes… What else needs to be said! A manager that continuously get stuff done on a minuscule budget. (Side note predication: He will be the next Manchester United manager. Forget what you hear about Jose… Manchester United never talk about Jose! They don’t want a manager for three years, they want longevity. And they also like Scotsmen.)

7. Fulham (yup! Roy Hodgson was the manager of the season last year – in my opinion). They finished 7th last year, but it will be better this season because they are going to beat out Aston Villa and Spurs.

8. West Ham. Boom! Come on Zola! Make me proud…

9. Aston Villa. I just lost faith in Martin O’Neill. If they can continue on the good MID-season form, they could do well. I hope I am wrong on this. There is a lot to love about Villa.

10.Tottenham. ‘Arry’s boys buy a lot of people. I just don’t see it. Plain and simple. NEXT!

11.-17. Really?

Relegation: Hull City (sorry Jozy), Birmingham City, and Blackburn or Portsmouth… Take your pick, they both are looking dismal and Blackburn got rid of Roque Santa Cruz and Portsmouth are… well… in trouble

Team to watch: Sunderland… I know they finished last year with 36 points, but Steve Bruce “The 1-1 draw master” is at the helm now, and I have confidence in the former Man United defender.

More to follow. What do you think?

I think I just get defensive because of the whole “band wagon” thing. I started watching United in the 95-96 season (oh no, the Yankees won the world series that year…) with my dad with the Premier League Review Show. That year United edged out Newcastle (who is Newcastle?) by four points to take the title. This was the year of Le King, Eric Cantona. Who wore their soccer jersey collars up? Well you did it because Eric Cantona was cold one night and did it! Trend started. I have tried to kick the habit and support other teams, but I have enjoyed Manchester United for close to 15 years. Granted, it is has been relatively easy on the field to support them, there are furious times when I could coach better than SAF… Monday Morning ___ syndrome (what would a soccer equivalent to Monday Morning Quarterback be? I guess striker…). I have picked painfully woeful teams in other leagues to follow… Kansas City (MISSOURI!!) Wizards, and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.

How about a brief (just Sir Alex Ferguson) MUFC history:

In the early 90s SAF did something that few other top managers did, dropped his stars and played the kids. Everyone gets on about Manchester United and transfer fees, and yes they have broken the transfer record in England 4 times (1981 Bryan Robson,1,500,000 (pounds); 1995 Andy Cole, 7,000,000; 2001 Juan Veron, 28,100,000; 2002 Rio Ferdinand, 29,100,000). The current British holders for highest transfer is Man City at 32.5 for Robinho who sucks his thumb when he scores a goal… Come on, really?

The fact is SAF went back to the glory days, and the philosphy of MUFC legend Matt Busby and created his own Busby Babes… The Ferguson Babes (Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and David Beckham) stepped up and played with the likes of Ryan Giggs, Andy Cole, and Le King. The changing of the guard occurred and Ferguson replaced the likes of Paul Ince and Mark Hughes with YOUNG UNPROVEN TALENT. That is what won him the Double, and the eventual treble in 99.

“The Kids are Alright”

Manchester United continue to win because they adapt, apart from that onslaught on a certain Rome May evening. Manchester United broke free from the traditional English 4-4-2 formation and won in Europe. The boring, yet pragmatic 4-5-1 was used with variations like 4-4-1-1.

There is no real point to this post. Manchester United win, the Yankees win. Manchester United fans reside in basically everywhere but Manchester, as the cliche goes… How many Yankees hats are seen in places outside the Boroughs? A lot.

My fantasy baseball team has the Ryan Giggs of Baseball on it – Mariano Rivera, and I would kill to have Derek Jeter, another loyal/professional Ryan Giggsesque player, in my opinion.

Is it bad to stick with a team that is deemed the Yankees of Soccer?

Hell no, it is a compliment!

Think about the FA Cup Final in 2008 between Cardiff City and Portsmouth… Utter dross. It had one of the lowest viewer rating in history, and was described by BBC pundit Caroline Cheese as “a game that won’t live long in the memory,” and she is British! They will always punt their own teams!

We need big teams! There is some romance for the little guy, but two little guys? Come on! What is the story line about Cardiff? I don’t care about them, and I love this game. Wales, really… come on! I guess Wizards ultimate D-bag Eddie Johnson went there after he failed at Fulham, but he has a grill so I do not rate him.

I encourage Nike to put pinstripes on a Manchester United shirt. Lets live it up! If they ever tear down Old Trafford – celebrating its centenary – I will truly call us the Yankees of Baseball, until then I am going to continue to support my team.