United Rant » Tag: Manchester

United Rant » Tag: Manchester - Recent Posts http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/tags/manchester - news, views and opinion on Manchester United en-US Sun, 19 May 2013 21:58:31 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/search.php prakrules on "Fan experiences of ticket prices at United" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/fan-experiences-of-ticket-prices-at-united#post-33862 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 02:51:17 +0000 prakrules 33862@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Prices of tickets have gone up over the last few years across the Premier League and Manchester United is one of those clubs which has followed this trend. Although the club freezed prices last season, ticket prices have gone up by nearly 50% for some seats since the Glazer’s takeover. Fans have been the ones to suffer as the current economic climate not making it easier on pockets. I am conducting a research for my Masters’ dissertation to find out fan’s experience of these changes in ticket prices. I would like to invite you to participate in this research by answering a few questions about your opinions and experiences of the ticket prices at Old Trafford. Being a United fan has additional motivation for me to get to know what fellow fans think and hence am using this opportunity to bring your opinions forward. The reliability of my findings will be more accurate if it covers a larger audience, so feel free to invite as many fellow fans as you can to participate in this study. The link for the questionnaire is <a href="http://www.thesistools.com/web/?id=211158" rel="nofollow">http://www.thesistools.com/web/?id=211158</a> Thanks baggio365 on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13757 Fri, 24 Dec 2010 13:02:47 +0000 baggio365 13757@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ i agree with cal. less than a year ago, i was calling for nani's head. today he is the creative hub of his united side, and probably our best player, given rooney's lack of form. chicarito, welbeck, macheda, anderson, cleaverly, the twins, smalling, evans, and all the kids we have in our youth/reserve teams; we wont know how good they will be for another 4-5 years at least. they could become top class players. they could be rubbish. the most important question i think is, will fergie be willing to hang around long enough to win his third european cup, or will he retire with another premiership crown, finally knocking "liverpool of their perch". cause we have a good chance of winning the league this year. the CL is a different matter altogether. cause its a cup tournament, anything could happen. but realistically, we probably arnt good enough. if fergie can maintain his hunger and drive, then anything is possible. Calvino on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13679 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:29:16 +0000 Calvino 13679@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ What is a super team? There is no such thing!!! How good were the teams you guys mentioned above? The only judge is that they won things. The '94 side were crap in Europe - in fact not until '99 did we make any impression in Europe. However, I will take the '94 side over the '99 team ANY day and twice on sundays. If Rafa had not been sent-off we would have played Inter in the Champions League final of last season such was our play against Bayern over the two legs. If this team wins the league they will do me. Football has changed so dramatically over the years it is impossible to compare sides really. Barca are so dominant in Spain but I can swear that in the days when defenders and midfield tacklers were allowed they MIGHT not have been so successful. In La Liga, if you so much as breathe down the necks of Iniesta, Alves or Busquets they will collapse to the floor and win a free-kick. Ask Michael Laudrup and he will show you the scars he had during his spell at Cruyff's original dream team. Hell, Roy Keane and Nicky Butt will not make it in the game these days! And God knows that the '99-00 would have been nothing without their hold in midfield. My biggest problem in the last two seasons have been Phelan alongside our manager. If we had CQ this team would have progressed faster. God knows that our three GREAT servants would have played far less. Anderson might have progressed more. Still, we have the makings of a strong squad there. Who HERE would have thought in the summer of 2005 that five years down the line we would have won three titles, one Champions League, played in another final and lost another title by one point? NO ONE. So, we can not really predict how far or low this team can get. Bill on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13675 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:05:45 +0000 Bill 13675@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ The 2007-8 side would probably not have won the European Cup if they came up against the current day Barcelona and Madrid sides. If a superteam is one that wins the European cup then that is probably not possible. A side that wins the domestic double could be though if they address the above 3 positions correctly. Dinkinflicker on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13673 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:09:30 +0000 Dinkinflicker 13673@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Simply because of the cash situation i'd say no. Although, in 2005 there's no way anyone would have convinced me that we were 2 years away from being the best side in Europe. We'd need a spectacular bit of progress from young lads like Cleverley and Welbeck and although they're both impressing on loan, I don't think they'll be in the class of Scholes and Giggs. Unless we get massive investment we'll be on the fringes for a good while methinks. Spike on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13658 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 07:13:52 +0000 Spike 13658@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ ffs. no Alfonso Bedoya on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13655 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:41:30 +0000 Alfonso Bedoya 13655@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><cite>Bill <a href="http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13645">said</a>:</cite> You might be right, however by all accounts enough money will be made available in the summer to solve the problem at GK and centre midfield. The centre back situation could well be solved by playing Smalling or Evans in lower grade matches, with playing Rio in the more important games. 40-50 million spent in total to replace VDS and PS would put United very close. Unfortunately in Barca and Madrid you 2 of the most talented European sides in the last 20 years. On current form Barca look close to be comparible to the brilliant AC Milan side of the 90s. </blockquote> The Barca team is class, no question, but the Real team is only above average, once you remove Ronaldo... and this is where the problems for United start... you say, we'll have "40-50 million to spend in total to replace VDS and PS"... I'd like to know where you get that from, as I find it very unlikely that we'll spend anything more than about 10 million... now, with Real finishing second best again, I expect Real fans will be foaming at the mouth for action and no doubt Perez will promise the moon to keep them happy... maybe even a ridiculous bid for Rooney?... who knows, but I'd expect them to spend more money than they've got... whatever it takes to catch Barcelona... then there's the Bitters... expect them to offload the dross to make room for more overpaid signings... and Chumpski are due an overhaul, and if the Mad Cossack still has the enthusiasm for the game, I expect him to spend a few quid next year... the simple fact is, we can't compete with this lot anymore when it come to transfers, and what's more, it seems that Ferguson doesn't want to... I expect him to bring in a couple more young players that no one's ever heard of, with the typical spin, "Manchester United is all about giving youth a chance, and these new player represent good value for money"... blah, blah... uncleknobheadffs on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13652 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:22:26 +0000 uncleknobheadffs 13652@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ ? rafa ? ? ? nani ? ? ? rooney ? is more realistic if we wanna create a 'superteam' maybe throw welbeck in there and ron when he comes back Bill on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13650 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:13:55 +0000 Bill 13650@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Yep the height of the above side is prob a prem league win. Its becoming more a squad game these days, probably at the expense of a really strong first XI. You never know, if Fergie spend big in the summer we could have a chance of doing the domestic double. CL is going to be very hard. Interesting to see Chelsea 4th! City really are rookies when it comes to table topping and would starting bickering during the run in. Arsenal are similar devoid of true leaders. The Giggs/Scholes/Neville axis has been key for United in a similar way Terry/Lampard and Gerrard/Carragher have for Liverpool. Its important to have leaders on the pitch and around the club. That is where City fail. Ted on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13648 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 23:33:32 +0000 Ted 13648@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ It would be nice Bill, but in all honesty we must accept that we have been spoilt in the past. I'd suggest your current possible dream team is er........(trying my hardest to be polight about this) errr.....well.....errr. Ok! lets cut the crap, apart from an on form Rooney, the rest are not going to make "a super team". It may be one that could win a prem? But i'd have to say, to make a super team there would be a lot more than 3 missing links and it would cost us a hell of a lot more than whats been quoted to achieve one. To be brutally honest, the teams from 93/96 and 98/2000, and a couple of squads from the mid 2000's would fuckin eat this squad in between main meals, and would'nt even reflux so much as a sicky little belch. Fergie might win another prem or so, particularly as the league is dog shit, but he's passed his sell by date regarding euro glory runs and building "super teams". Bill on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13645 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:55:28 +0000 Bill 13645@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ You might be right, however by all accounts enough money will be made available in the summer to solve the problem at GK and centre midfield. The centre back situation could well be solved by playing Smalling or Evans in lower grade matches, with playing Rio in the more important games. 40-50 million spent in total to replace VDS and PS would put United very close. Unfortunately in Barca and Madrid you 2 of the most talented European sides in the last 20 years. On current form Barca look close to be comparible to the brilliant AC Milan side of the 90s. Alfonso Bedoya on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13643 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:36:36 +0000 Alfonso Bedoya 13643@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Not "THIS" Ferguson. "THIS" Ferguson is a Glazer employee... not "The Gaffer"... Besides, "THIS" Manchester United doesn't have the clout to aquire the best players, so my answer is... No! Bill on "Can Fergie create one last super team?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/can-fergie-create-one-last-super-team#post-13641 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:25:52 +0000 Bill 13641@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ With SAF in the final few years of his reign as United manager, the question is can he produce one more superteam. The classes of 93-4, 98-99 and 07-08 would each fall into the "superteam" category. The double double winning side, the treble winning team and the Champions League winning team of 2007-8 are all recounted below (team by appearance number) below: 94 Schmeichel Parker Irwin Bruce Pallister Kanchelskis Keane Ince Giggs Cantona Hughes 99 Schmeichel Neville Irwin Stam Johnsen Giggs Keane Scholes Beckham Yorke Cole 07 Van Der Sar Brown Evra Vidic Ferdinand Giggs Scholes Carrick Ronaldo Rooney Tevez 2012 ? Rafael Evra Vidic ? Nani Fletcher ? Valencia Berbatov Rooney The final team is of course a work in progress, with some suggested gaps. Here are the possibiles for the 3 final pieces of the jigsaw puzzle: GK (replacing Van Der Sar) Kuszczak - could leave soon, a good Utd no. 2 but probably not a 1 Lindegaard - unknown at present, but has all the makings of a solid back up but no more Amos - still v young, currently a good no. 3 at utd or starter in the Championship Unknown signing - De Gea, Lloris, Stekelenburg, Akinfeev, Buffon, Neuer all in the frame CB Ferdinand - could return to full fitness and be injury free, but time isn't on his side Smalling - being groomed to replace Rio, but is still raw, hopefully will mature Evans - Fine form last year is becoming a memory, but is still young yet experienced Unknown future signing - with Evans/Smalling not totally convincing could Fergie buy CM (replacing Scholes) Anderson - Fergie will hope Ando can do a Nani & turn promise into performances Cleverley - Full of energy and promise, the next 12 months will be interesting Gibson - An outside bet but somewhat of an enigma. Does score quality goals though Unknown future signing - Fergie could splash out this season - what this space Any comments welcome on the possible next superteam, and which was the best of 3 classic Fergie sides above. Thanks! Bill on "Future of United Article" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/future-of-united-article#post-8895 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:18:41 +0000 Bill 8895@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Interesting article on the Future of United: <a href="http://www.suite101.com/content/manchester-united--the-futures-bright-a298749" rel="nofollow">http://www.suite101.com/content/manchester-united--the-futures-bright-a298749</a> Thanks! Bill on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-7147 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 15:41:47 +0000 Bill 7147@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ We are probably going to do ok, top 4, cl and a cup as long as SAF is around even if there are cut backs. The problem is that we should be doing better. Today's kind of results are likely to become the norm. triggs on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-7125 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:12:40 +0000 triggs 7125@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><cite>Alfonso Bedoya <a href="http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6980">said</a>:</cite> That's not a mass exodus... just a reasonable culling of the dross... 5 players, in two years, (not counting the geriatrics) isn't that bad. The second group is just a list of questionables. You seem to be one of those eternal optimists that reckons all will carry on as is... and we'll still be reet... I don't see it, but hey... I'd rather you were right than me. </blockquote> The default position for most United fans is pessimism. If United did buy big I think all the people moaning that we're not spending money would quickly switch to moaning that United are being irresponsible. Bill on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-7010 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 11:34:54 +0000 Bill 7010@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Nice one, fingers crossed for a result today. sukhy5 on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-7000 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 09:58:13 +0000 sukhy5 7000@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Good post Bill. Bill on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6997 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 08:58:54 +0000 Bill 6997@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Thanks for everyone for your comments. United, without the Glazer's draining our debt, would be able to buy a marque player every year, purely out of club profits and still have change. A combination of the history of the club, the skills of the current manager & the clever global branding has meant we are one of the only clubs who can make a profit. Arsene Wenger must be applauded for the way he has ensured Arsenal make a profit by developing young talent. If he bought a decent keeper we'd all be in trouble! There are already indications of United going down the Arsenal route due to the Glazers. Hopefully the world class players we have already have allow us to at least challenge for trophies & win some occasionally too. Being turned into Arsenal North due to a bunch of greedy Americans could be too much to handle for many! Personally I think that as long as we have a good manager at the helm then things on the pitch will be under par, but not terrible. This of course is what the Glazers are counting on. If SAF goes and a proper replacement isn't appointed then we will have real problems. You could count on one hand managers who could do the job effectively. Pity we haven't heard from the Red Knights recently. The sad thing is they buy the club the Glazers get over a billion & walk away smiling - very irritating! Spike on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6995 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 08:17:18 +0000 Spike 6995@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ 2012..fuckinell...we are Doomed..Doomed I say! *note to self:get the cardboard on chest and walk the highstreet again* Ed on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6983 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 23:46:51 +0000 Ed 6983@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ It's not an unrealistic scenario. I'm not sure its even an exaggeration. United's finances are not in good shape and if the Glazers continue liquidating United's cash to pay buy PIK debt (which we now know they have been doing) there will be very little in the kitty to replace Scholes, Giggs, Neville et all, let alone buy from a position of strength. Alfonso Bedoya on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6980 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 23:25:01 +0000 Alfonso Bedoya 6980@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><cite>triggs <a href="http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6975">said</a>:</cite> You do realise that this is only two years away? Not even Liverpool have shipped that many good players in such a short amount of time. As the original poster stated, if we truly do not have any sizeable cash for transfers (which I don't beleive) then it's still a decent squad which under the leadership of SAF would easily qualify for the CL at the least. From what I've heard Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison have a good chance of being exciting first team players by 2012 too. It's true that the Glazers are trying to shave the wage bill and focus on young talent, but I beleive this to be a good thing and I havent (yet) seen a valued player forced to leave because of this policy. You could argue Tevez, but there were many different factors affecting his departure. If the Glazers were really committed to lowering the wage bill to its lowest possible point, surely VDS, Scholes, Giggs and particualrly GNev would have been forced out rather than given one-year extensions. I don't know how much these guys are on but I can assure you it'll be far more than Foster, Cleverley, Obertan and De Laet - who could have all been given the opportunity instead. Furthermore a new contract has just been agreed with Vidic - one of the most sought after defenders in Europe - and another contract is being drawn up with Rooney who up until March 2010 was one of the best strikers in world football. These contracts are unlikely to be small fry and you can hardly suggest that United are being miserly. Personally, I can't see Fergie leaving United unless he has left able replacements for the old guard. We have Nani and Rafael for Giggs and GNev but no VDS or Scholes replacements. It appears that Fergie's trying to tie up a deal for de Gea, so that just leaves Scholes - which will be his biggest challenge. I think it's the size and dificulty of this task which explains why a replacement has not been found rather than a lack of money. The real fear by 2012, for me, is not what the Glazers have done to the club, but what the effect of Fergie leaving could be. </blockquote> That's not a mass exodus... just a reasonable culling of the dross... 5 players, in two years, (not counting the geriatrics) isn't that bad. The second group is just a list of questionables. You seem to be one of those eternal optimists that reckons all will carry on as is... and we'll still be reet... I don't see it, but hey... I'd rather you were right than me. Bill on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6977 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 22:09:39 +0000 Bill 6977@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Yes we could add De Laet, Morrison & Pogba to the possible 2012 worst case squad. Ajose, Eikrem & Cofie are looking good in the reserves in particularly. As you say I can't imagine a mass exodus, just the class of 92, VDS plus older players on big wages coming to the end of the careers. The middle range of Park, Carrick, Brown, O'Shea are likely to be kept on. VDS for Nev, Nani for Giggs seem to be logical. The only player I think could get close to directly replacing Scholes would be Rooney coming from deep. However Scholes is a one-off so SAF might already have decided that a direct replacement isn't really going to happen. VDS replacement will probably be an open contest between TK & one other keeper who is yet to be signed. To replace SAF i think JM has the mentality to succeed at OT. However the Glazers might look for someone like Quieroz who knows OT & is cheaper. Lets hope Phelan isn't even considered, a man who by the looks of it is batting well above his average anyway! Bill on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6976 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 22:02:08 +0000 Bill 6976@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Yep its pure speculation of course. Its likely that Chelsea won't be spending as big as in the past, the same for Liverpool & Arsenal are of a similar philosophy to United at the moment, but of course they can keep their profits! Everton & Villa will never rise beyond 6th, City of course could change everything, but a sustained number of bad results would see them sack their manager, which is just not the way to win things in the long term. In terms of Europe, Barca, Chelsea, Milan, Madrid & Munich either their finances covered whether by planning (Munich), unlimited private funds (Barca, Chelsea, Milan) or royal funds (Madrid). Other teams like Lyon or Ajax will come or go according the which young players come through. United will always be QF candidates, but probably nothing better unless they get a lucky draw. On the retirement angle, if funds aren't forthcoming SAF could move forward his retirement but cite other reasons. The Tampa Bay Bucs got rid of their best coach in franchise history and replaced him with a cheap (internal) appointment. This could happen to United conceivably, Quieroz could be one alternative. If they want Jose (the choice I think would be best if we want to win trophies) then they are going to have pay out the big salary. triggs on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6975 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 21:55:23 +0000 triggs 6975@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><cite>Alfonso Bedoya <a href="http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6964">said</a>:</cite> Of that list of players... I also expect Kojak, O'Shea, Wes Brown, Park, Carrick to be gone, and perhaps also Evra, Vidic, Valencia, Anderson, Berbatov, Welbeck... not much left after that. </blockquote> You do realise that this is only two years away? Not even Liverpool have shipped that many good players in such a short amount of time. As the original poster stated, if we truly do not have any sizeable cash for transfers (which I don't beleive) then it's still a decent squad which under the leadership of SAF would easily qualify for the CL at the least. From what I've heard Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison have a good chance of being exciting first team players by 2012 too. It's true that the Glazers are trying to shave the wage bill and focus on young talent, but I beleive this to be a good thing and I havent (yet) seen a valued player forced to leave because of this policy. You could argue Tevez, but there were many different factors affecting his departure. If the Glazers were really committed to lowering the wage bill to its lowest possible point, surely VDS, Scholes, Giggs and particualrly GNev would have been forced out rather than given one-year extensions. I don't know how much these guys are on but I can assure you it'll be far more than Foster, Cleverley, Obertan and De Laet - who could have all been given the opportunity instead. Furthermore a new contract has just been agreed with Vidic - one of the most sought after defenders in Europe - and another contract is being drawn up with Rooney who up until March 2010 was one of the best strikers in world football. These contracts are unlikely to be small fry and you can hardly suggest that United are being miserly. Personally, I can't see Fergie leaving United unless he has left able replacements for the old guard. We have Nani and Rafael for Giggs and GNev but no VDS or Scholes replacements. It appears that Fergie's trying to tie up a deal for de Gea, so that just leaves Scholes - which will be his biggest challenge. I think it's the size and dificulty of this task which explains why a replacement has not been found rather than a lack of money. The real fear by 2012, for me, is not what the Glazers have done to the club, but what the effect of Fergie leaving could be. Anonymous on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6968 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 20:51:20 +0000 Anonymous 6968@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Bill - it's an interesting thought exercise, but there are many other variables that would have to be considered before an answer about United's ability to remain in the top four and compete in the CL could be given. What has happened at Cheatski, Arsenal, City, Spurs, Villa, and Everton, for example? Has Sir Alex made his intention to retire known to the public? Who is being considered as his replacement? You get the idea. Bill on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6966 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 20:15:38 +0000 Bill 6966@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Yep its whether you think that there would be a mass exodus. I doubt that would be the case as the Glazers are at least aware that ticket sales would dive even further. It would happen in stages if anything, i.e. Class of 92 retire with the current squad to cover, no replacements, and then vets with big wages to go too. Followed by no new signings. At that stage Glazers would claim that those renewing contracts (at a lesser rate) are like new signings (similar to the NFL). O'Shea, Brown, Park & Carrick aren't on the biggest wages. Anyway if those first 5 went the first team line up would be: TK/DDD, RDS, PE, NV, JE, LN, DF, OA/DG, AV, DB, WR Subs: TK/DDD, FDS, CS, DG/OA, GO, DW, JH Not totally disastrous, but injures could cause a problem. Alfonso Bedoya on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6964 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 20:04:21 +0000 Alfonso Bedoya 6964@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ Of that list of players... I also expect Kojak, O'Shea, Wes Brown, Park, Carrick to be gone, and perhaps also Evra, Vidic, Valencia, Anderson, Berbatov, Welbeck... not much left after that. Bill on "2012 - The End of United?" http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/topic/2012-the-end-of-united#post-6960 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 19:08:43 +0000 Bill 6960@http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/forum/ The date is 1st August 2012, we are in the midst of a period of debt unheard of Manchester United history. The last remaining members of the class of 92 have retired, as has Edwin Van Der Saar due to age & Owen Hargreaves through injury. In addition Michael Owen & Rio Ferdinand have left due to their age & high wages. Further to that there is no budget for the manager to spend & bring players in. This will mean a reliance on the United youth system to at least give the squad depth. Here is the playing squad that remains: GK T Kuszczak D De Dea (signed summer 2011) B Amos Full Back R Da Silva J O'Shea R Brown P Evra (Vice Capt) F Da Silva O Gill CB N Vidic (Capt) J Evans C Smalling W Brown Wingers Nani G Obertan Bebe A Valencia JS Park CM D Fletcher M Carrick O Anderson D Gibson T Cleverley CF W Rooney D Berbatov J Hernandez D Welbeck J King N Ajose J Cofie Manager: SAF (retirement imminent) Assistant: M Phelan Coach: René Meulensteen Reserves: OG Solskjaer Is this the worse case scenario? If so I think we will still be able to be top 3, QF CL with a win in one of the two other cups. Of course this is beside the point, what the Glazers have done is wrong. However is there still hope for us to compete even in this dire financial times? Thoughts please!