beckham demands move.

[Unorthodox Yank]

Oh s h i t.


http://www.soccer365.com/EUROPEAN_NEWS/Rest_of_Europe/page_109_50572.shtml


normally i wouldnt post stuff like this, seeing as its front page tabloid-style stuff.

but soccer365 usually gets it right.

I will stick to my guns that alex should probably retire, and go into senior management. not because he is a bad manager, or simply because of that one mistke (Benching beckham) , but because this club quite simply needs a change. too many people have gotten comfortable under fergie that i think its time for a new manager that can come in and shake things up, hopefully get things going again.

but yeah. im scared.

[Father Ted]

...or maybe not according to Ted: http://msn.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,1-1088714,00.html

[Elder Statesman]

"Speculation is already mounting about where the Beckham money would be spent by United – with names suggested including Paul Robinson, Harry Kewell, Dennis Rommedahl and Damien Duff."

If they're looking to win the Premiership then these players would be fine. If they are looking to win the Champion's League they should be looking at players of Ronaldinho and Michael Ballack's level. To win in Europe I believe you need to go for the best players from Brazil, Argentina, Italy and possibly Germany.

[subbuteo]

http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/m6854.html

"If tabloid reports are to believed a disillusioned Beckham met with his wife and agent following the seven-goal thriller to discuss his future, the outcome of which is said to be a demand to leave United."

[sch2383]

If he doesn't want to stay, I say fare thee well. He has been great for us, but he is mercurial. If we can get younger, cheaper players who can play a total game, we shoudl get them. Nobody can equal Becks' crosses and free kicks (excpet maybe Roberto Caroles) but we have played great without him as of late and this sport is as much about chemistry as it is about talent.

[Achtung]

Originally posted by subbuteo
"If tabloid reports are to believed..."

That's a pretty big 'if'.

I think that, despite the team's recent good form without him, Beckham is vital to the lineup at this time. He provides a much-needed spark to the team, as was clearly shown against Real. His ability to control the midfield is unparalleled, and I don't think someone like Duff or Nedved could replace him. Beckham is a staple of the team, and his departure could prove disastrous to the club, with all of the people worldwide who follow them in part to see Beckham. I have yet to see any real evidence of a "row" between him and SAF, aside from the random boot incident, which was quickly dismissed as accidental by both sides.

The British tabloids are unscrupulous, and frankly I never believe a thing they write. I wouldn't believe that Beckham was leaving until I heard it from his own mouth. He is, as described by others, a "rock star" for Man United, and to see him leave would really hurt the club's image. Of course if he wants to leave, he can. But I haven't heard any complaining from him this year, so it seems unlikely.

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by subbuteo
http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/m6854.html

"If tabloid reports are to believed a disillusioned Beckham met with his wife and agent following the seven-goal thriller to discuss his future, the outcome of which is said to be a demand to leave United." If tabloid reports are to be believed, BatBoy is helping US forces track down weapons of mass destruction.

[sch2383]

Originally posted by SoFla Metro
If tabloid reports are to be believed, BatBoy is helping US forces track down weapons of mass destruction.

Isn't everybody?

[bigtoga]

Even more craziness - Del Bosque chimes in with admiration

http://tinyurl.com/acoc

[bigtoga]

500th post :)

A good collection of quotes from the various England rags concerning Beckham rumors:

http://tinyurl.com/aagb

[bigtoga]

Zidane weighs in - says Real are "definitely" making a move for Becks

http://tinyurl.com/af45

[Gilstar10]

Originally posted by bigtoga
Even more craziness - Del Bosque chimes in with admiration

http://tinyurl.com/acoc


Talking about crazy
Vicente Del Bosque:
"What he did in the half hour he was on the field did not surprise me"
And me neighter! I knew Beckham would scored that first goal!
Casillas could stop it. Bash me for my mistake, for me Casillas almost let Beckham score that goal.
Is Spice Boy really near to be Merengue? I guess so

[GoldSaber]

If one thinks this through, Man Utd. couldn't do ANYTHING more daft than selling Beckham. It just doesn't make sense to sell the captain of England, not to mention your biggest source of far east income ( little asian girls and Becks, go fig). Seriously, I think the papers are trying to do their typical boost sales at the expense of credibility. It could all come to pass of course, but I just don't see it.

[daddio]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Achtung
[B]That's a pretty big 'if'.

I think that, despite the team's recent good form without him, Beckham is vital to the lineup at this time. He provides a much-needed spark to the team, as was clearly shown against Real. His ability to control the midfield is unparalleled, and I don't think someone like Duff or Nedved could replace him. Beckham is a staple of the team, and his departure could prove disastrous to the club, with all of the people worldwide who follow them in part to see Beckham. I have yet to see any real evidence of a "row" between him and SAF, aside from the random boot incident, which was quickly dismissed as accidental by both sides.

Do you even understand football, man? To say that Beckham is vital to the line-up is utterly ridiculous. In fact, it's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. That's the thing about most Manchester United supporters - the fact that they seem to have very little understanding of the game of football and how it is actually played. Most of ye can't see beyond the glory glory Man United rubbish. If I was one of your number (and I thank God every day that I'm not) I'd be far more worried about the fact that the heartbeat of the team - Roy Keane, in case you were wondering - is not the player he once was. United may win the league next year but if they don't find a suitable replacement for Keane, things are going to come to a grinding halt sooner rather than later. I'd be far more worried about that then I would about some chancer going off to Real Madrid. But then again, I'm sure that you'll all find something else to maon about it.

[Motterman]

Originally posted by daddio

Do you even understand football, man? To say that Beckham is vital to the line-up is utterly ridiculous. In fact, it's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. That's the thing about most Manchester United supporters - the fact that they seem to have very little understanding of the game of football and how it is actually played. Most of ye can't see beyond the glory glory Man United rubbish. If I was one of your number (and I thank God every day that I'm not) I'd be far more worried about the fact that the heartbeat of the team - Roy Keane, in case you were wondering - is not the player he once was. United may win the league next year but if they don't find a suitable replacement for Keane, things are going to come to a grinding halt sooner rather than later. I'd be far more worried about that then I would about some chancer going off to Real Madrid. But then again, I'm sure that you'll all find something else to maon about it. [/B]

Yeah, Roy's influence can't be overstated. He's been the engine that fuels the team, particularly since Cantona retired. I'm concerned about Keano. On the one hand, I'd love for him to get healthy over the summer and give us 2-3 more years of the Keano we remember, but I can't see that happening really. This makes the Vieira rumour a bit more intriguing. I can't see us making an offer, and I really can't see Arsenal accepting one. But after the Rio/Leeds transfer... I'd like us to sign a player of that calibre to fill that role (Davids, etc.), but I don't see many available.

I think a move to Real Madrid would be best for David Beckham, but not Manchester United. He's won everything with United, and I dare say that he hasn't gotten any better in the last 3 years. He's still a massively talented player, a crowd favorite, and is the talisman of the United marketing machine. I can't see United letting Beckham go unless he asks to leave. I'd put the odds at 50/50 right now. It's a big hole if he does leave, so it would have to be a big transer both ways. But we shouldn't sell him, just cause we can. The Press are trying to sell him, Madrid are trying to buy him. Fergie seems to be either ignoring the situation, dealing with it internally, or he knows Becks is leaving and wants to keep team unity and morale up until the season is over.

Becks is the current world wide "face" of Manchester United, I don't see the big advantage of letting him go - no matter how many zeroes in the offer..

If my team has a free kick in stoppage time within 35m of the goal, there's only one man I want in that situation.

[Father Ted]

I don't think United will sell Beckham...because as a PLC he is worth more to the image of the club than what he would bring in with a transfer fee. Sure other players could play just as welll if not better (he has had an inconsistant year), but name me all the soccer players who have been featured in a prime-time interview on US TV recently... I think the board will tell Alex, work out whatever differences you have, 'cos Becks aint leaving.

[Soccerholic]

Originally posted by Father Ted
I think the board will tell Alex, work out whatever differences you have, 'cos Becks aint leaving.

The only problem with that plan is that Beckham's contract is finished next May. Since there's no way the board will let him become a free transfer, it's either sign him to a new contract this summer or sell him.

[Achtung]

Originally posted by daddio
Do you even understand football, man?... Most of ye can't see beyond the glory glory Man United rubbish. If I was one of your number (and I thank God every day that I'm not) I'd be far more worried about the fact that the heartbeat of the team - Roy Keane, in case you were wondering - is not the player he once was. United may win the league next year but if they don't find a suitable replacement for Keane, things are going to come to a grinding halt sooner rather than later. I'd be far more worried about that then I would about some chancer going off to Real Madrid. But then again, I'm sure that you'll all find something else to maon about it.

:rolleyes:

Yes, believe it or not I actually do understand football, and quite well. I think that Beckham has shown that he does a very good job of holding together the lineup, and you can't deny that he is one of the top players in the world, any way you slice it. He sets up plays like few others can. He's never been a favorite of mine, but I understand his value not only on the field, but off of it. As was stated before, he is the image of Manchester United, and its due in no small part to his contributions to the team during matches.

I think that Keane, as captain, is similarly important, but that he is clearly on his last legs. I wish Keano could stay forever, but I think the time may not be far off when he has to go. It seems that he never fully recovered from his injury this year, and as a result he hasn't been able to lead the team as he has done in the past.

I think this team can be successful without Beckham and I think they can do so without Keane as well. But it will be much easier with both of them in the lineup. I just hope that none of them leaves before they are good and ready.

To say that Beckham is vital to the line-up is utterly ridiculous. In fact, it's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. That's the thing about most Manchester United supporters - the fact that they seem to have very little understanding of the game of football and how it is actually played.

Well that's a nice job of putting your foot firmly up your ass. That Beckham is vital to United is the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard? You must not get out much. I have played soccer for over 12 years now, and I hardly need someone jealous of Man United to tell me that I know nothing about the game. If you have nothing constructive to add, you should try not to waste space on this forum.

[daddio]

"I think that Beckham has shown that he does a very good job of holding together the lineup, and you can't deny that he is one of the top players in the world, any way you slice it. "

Once again, I'll repeat that I don't think you know what the hell you're talking about. Beckham has a good - not great - right foot, and that's pretty much it. He is not one of the best players in the world - cop yourself on! I don't particularly like Ferguson but I respect him, and I think he's doing the right thing here - don't say anything and get the best price for Beckham from Madrid. We'll see how long he plays in that team for - I give him two seasons maximum playing for Madrid before he's returning to England, looking for a club.
United will win the Premiership this season but next season they won't get beyond the quarters of the Champions League. If even that far. Keane is simply the heart of that team and was the talisman, even with Cantona there (although Cantona won most of the headlines). Without him at his best, they are extremely vunerable and will have to restructure the way they play. In England there's only one player (Vierra) who could take over fairly seemlessly and another (Liverpool's Steven Gerrard) who is far from the finished article but shows a lot of potential. And the chances of either of these players signing for United? Zip. Zero. Zilch.
The Premiership is United's but Ferguson is looking at a lot of really tough decisions over the sunmmer (and flogging Beckham should not be one of them).
You see folks, there's blinding following a club like a starry-eyed teenage girl and there's recognising the fundamentals of what, when it's played correctly, is the most beautifull game on this planet. Don't let your passion for a club spoil your passion for the game.