How Will It Affect United?

[ronk]

It is hard to believe that Liverpool were runners up as recently as 2009. As a result, great things were predicted for them for 2009/2010 in the media, whilst ignoring the number of 1-0 and last gasp victories that had carried them through. A small shift in goals scored and against has since made a big difference and seen them quickly drop out of the top four. It will be hard for them to get back. They need to invest heavily, their revenues are declining and have found that it is prospects of trophies and rewards that attracts top players, and not history.

The rags are still a very good team but could find themselves in a similar situation. City are a team on the up, full of top players. United need to add several top players or could find themselves on the way down. Most of their exerienced players are near the end of the careers and will need replacing. Same with their manager. Debts still need to be serviced. It will be hard to stop a slide if it starts, as Liverpool have found.

Liverpool were fine as long as they were still buying well. They had real talent in their midfield in Mascherano and Alonso. They were always going to go backwards without them, especially Alonso.

They also havent acquired especially well. They don't have a major goalscorer and this is the real killer for them. Carroll has 4 goals in 33 league games. Suarez only has 11. They can't afford to waste that kind of cash. Not when Spurs have someone like Adebayor who has more goals that the two of them combined. Put that goal scoring record in for van Persie and see how Arsenal do, watch the scum drop 20+ points without Rooney. That's the fragility of it. Even our season, 3 matches without Aguero and we drop 7 points (Stoke-Arsenal).

Not having cash will hurt the rag's ability to power through any issues. They'll be fine when everything ticks, but when things go tock: tougher. They can't afford to buy and pay for Berbatov and got get anything from him, but they can manage when guys like Hernandez pick up slack.

[Beefymcfc]

Another affect that has to be taken into consideration is what Mancini and the club have had on Ferguson. We've heard how he's the master of mind-games yet it seems Mancini has got one over him, in spectacular fashion. During this run-in I've seen Taggart physically shaken by what's been happening, even before we started pulling the 8 point lead back. His constant aftermatch pressers stating how his team were catching up on the goal difference, taking over us on goals scored, somehow trying to force the issue that they were the better and more attacking team. Even during the period where they were heading away from us he still looked worried, as if he knew what was coming?

His latest statement regarding how he wouldn't go the 'Italian Way' and how United always want to show their attacking flair in all games just smacks of stupidity. Did they show that attacking flair when they were up against it when Fulham visited the Swamp, or what about our recent game where he finally lost the plot on and off the pitch, playing not to lose but then lost it with Roberto? Also, what about his comments after the Sick Swan, saying his team should've shut-up shop, leaving those experienced players in his team to take the rap for his arrogance?

He knows that they can't compete and I reckon he's seen the future with regard to their buying power for the next few years. He believed that this season was supposed to be all about him, a stand named after him for his 25th anniversary with the 20th top flight title in the 20th season of modern football. The script was already written but he wasn't banking on how good we would be. The help from the powers that be was getting to obvious and with so many people highlighting it they just couldn't get anymore.

You just never know though, there's still one more game to go and as MCFC1630 something says, who will be the referee and what decisions could be contemplated. It's not over yet and we still have to keep focus. Losing the title at this stage may just have a massive effect on us.

[john68]

I noted that during his pre derby press conference, he seemed very very nervy. Huffing and puffing and fidgety. He seemed to have lost his arrogant swagger.
The video of him entering the ground as their team arrived for the match was revealing too. He was almost supported by another bloke and seemed to be stooping over and not very well.

The more relaxed Mancini appeared to be, the worse that Taggart has looked.

[littlebig]

It would be a huge psychological blow for them. As we are seen to be a club on the up conversely they will be seen to be in decline if we take the title.

As bbs pointed out there are now more questions being asked about their true strength. Where teams turned up before to play *td, they were beaten before they even came onto the pitch, next season we will see more teams having a go at them. Chinks in the armour indeed.

And of course our success will eat into theirs. As a result they will lose a lot of the bandwaggoners and the incomes they bring.

[Beefymcfc]

I noted that during his pre derby press conference, he seemed very very nervy. Huffing and puffing and fidgety. He seemed to have lost his arrogant swagger.
The video of him entering the ground as their team arrived for the match was revealing too. He was almost supported by another bloke and seemed to be stooping over and not very well.

The more relaxed Mancini appeared to be, the worse that Taggart has looked.

Nemisis?

Not having cash will hurt the rag's ability to power through any issues. They'll be fine when everything ticks, but when things go tock: tougher. They can't afford to buy and pay for Berbatov and got get anything from him, but they can manage when guys like Hernandez pick up slack.

Berbatov is an interesting one for me. Bought for 30 mil and looked a shoe-in to play alongside Rooney after his partnership with Keane, he looked the ideal player for United. However, the price! How much has he really cost them?

There were obvious rumours that we were in for him which cost United an extra 8 or so million as they wouldn't budge on the 22 offered where Spurs were after 25. A seemingly innocent inquiry by us led to cries of foul-play when he ws seemingly ushered into black van and whisked away to the Swamp, to be seen skulking around in the back-lit rooms of the OT board. But did we really want him, were we really offering a Kings Ransom to get him out of the cauldron of Taggart's inner realms? I think not.

Personally, I think that the rise in value affected the wage structure with Berbatov having to take incentive bonuses on top of his standard salary, bonuses that would cost United dearly if he was on form. Since he's arrived he's gradually played less and less, from near regular 1st team playing two thirds of the games, down to the bench being subbed for two thirds of the games and then not even being seen for long periods and getting fleeting appearances. Berbatov has proved he can score goals but can't get a game, does everyone really believe it's because he looks lazy or that Rooney's payrise has cost Berbatov more than just playing a football game?

[sweenyuk]

They will have to re-name their Trophy room, from next season it will be called "The Room"

[Lev Bronstein]

If - a mighty if - they prove to go through a period of decline, I don't think you could underestimate the effect of the two beatings that Barca handed out in the two CL finals.

No excuses - battered both times for all the world to see.

[Beefymcfc]

If - a mighty if - they prove to go through a period of decline, I don't think you could underestimate the effect of the two beatings that Barca handed out in the two CL finals.

No excuses - battered both times for all the world to see.

Pfffft, what about the beatings they received from us!

[ronk]

Berbatov is an interesting one for me. Bought for 30 mil and looked a shoe-in to play alongside Rooney after his partnership with Keane, he looked the ideal player for United. However, the price! How much has he really cost them?

There were obvious rumours that we were in for him which cost United an extra 8 or so million as they wouldn't budge on the 22 offered where Spurs were after 25. A seemingly innocent inquiry by us led to cries of foul-play when he ws seemingly ushered into black van and whisked away to the Swamp, to be seen skulking around in the back-lit rooms of the OT board. But did we really want him, were we really offering a Kings Ransom to get him out of the cauldron of Taggart's inner realms? I think not.

Personally, I think that the rise in value affected the wage structure with Berbatov having to take incentive bonuses on top of his standard salary, bonuses that would cost United dearly if he was on form. Since he's arrived he's gradually played less and less, from near regular 1st team playing two thirds of the games, down to the bench being subbed for two thirds of the games and then not even being seen for long periods and getting fleeting appearances. Berbatov has proved he can score goals but can't get a game, does everyone really believe it's because he looks lazy or that Rooney's payrise has cost Berbatov more than just playing a football game?

I don't see how rags can be complaining about our conduct over Berbatov, except possibly in that bacon face felt obliged to try to fuck up our transfer out of spite. We had money fast and we were in the market for anyone who was looking for a club quickly. Not our fault that rags were drawing things out to save cash. I think we wanted him and were happy to pay over the odds for him, we just had to have a big name. We ended up with Robinho.

Berbatov is a sulky player, I think Ferguson just doesn't like him,but maybe the bonus structure is a factor. Daft thing to do though.

The rags anger was that of a school bully who's mad as hell that your big brother just showed up and he's feeling impotent and scared.