The WORST thing about the Gaucho thing is..

[Dark Savante]

that Barca fans don't ven really want him there! >_<

Riquelme and Saviola are now gonna be in trouble and Saviola in Particular is a favorite at Barca. They need defenders there and most fans of theirs know and want this the most.

Talk about needles in the back. Insult to injury!

[JBlazini24]

they will change their mind when Ronnie helps them wax Madrid's a$$ in La Liga

Good to see you haven't jumped off a bridge or something, D.S. I was worried you might take drastic measures after reading the news this morning. I thought about it for a bit but then decided that hey, Man U is still pretty good.

[haven]

Man U is still pretty good

But is Utd really still good enough?. There's no shame in 2nd place for most teams - but when your payroll is that large, and you've spend that much money assembling a team... you've got to win.

The team looked extremely vulnerable at times last year. And now there's no Beckham. Don't get me wrong - I'm not one that thinks Beckham was Utd's best player... but he was a good, solid contributor. Was he worth 5 points? Maybe.

Keane will be older. Utd are 1 injury away from having their attack badly damaged (if not maimed). Wes Brown is out for months.

Utd have only gotten weaker this summer. Howard and Djemba-Djemba are question marks, and Bellion is unlikely to contribute immediately.

The team needs a new signing or two that will have an immediate impact. So far, they haven't even replaced Beckham - must less gotten better.

The only real good thing is that Arsenal hasn't gotten better, either. I'm not sure if Chelsea will be improved enough to challenge. Tough to say w/so many newcomers.

[bigtoga]

Originally posted by haven
Keane will be older. Utd are 1 injury away from having their attack badly damaged (if not maimed). And it doesn't help that we seemingly tried to unload Veron, Forlan, and Barthez but failed while concurrently failing to sign any new major stars. That can't help morale.

[JBlazini24]

Originally posted by haven
Utd have only gotten weaker this summer.

I totally agree. And Ronnie was the only way I felt we could get stronger.

Oh well, apparently Kenyon and SAF want to save their money for another year. Somebody better ask Kenyon the hard questions tonight on Bigsoccer radio. I have the feeling, however, that it's just going to be one big plug for the U.S. tour.

[Mac_Howard]

The squad is looking distinctly weaker than it was 12 months ago. With Beckham gone, Keane not the player he was and Brown already out for half the season, then Utd's squad is not that impressive:

Goalkeepers: one unreliable (Barthez), one unproven (Howard) a couple of competents.

Defenders: just four quality defenders - Ferdinand, O'Shea, Silvestre and G Neville (not even sure of that last one). Beyond that it's our phil or an experimental Keane.

Except that

Midfield: Scholes and Giggs excellent and reliable. Keane no longer the dominating player he was, a continueing-to-misfire Veron, a competent Butt and an unknown Dj.

I'm not sure we could afford to put Keane in defence.

Attack: RvN, super-sub Solksjaer and yet-to-make-it Forlan. Maybe Bellion does something later.

A couple of injuries and we're scraping the barrel!

Lose RvN and Utd could be litle better than a mid-table side.

Alex and Kenyon really have to get their fingers out in the next 6 weeks or you can forget the CL and we'll be struggling in the Premiership.

[prk166]

So Keane comes back from serious injury and it's simply given that "he's no longer the player he once was"? That's crap & he'll prove it this season.

[haven]

prk:

How many player improve each year in their 30's? I'd wager you'll find some, but not many. Keane himself has said he doubts he'll play until his mid-30's. I'd wager he'll be better than he was right after his return from injury. But if you're counting on someone his age to return to his golden years in order to win...

...well, it's time for Plan B.

[DigitalTron]

Howard's not really unproven. He's done quite well internationally for the US team. While many people have opinions of MLS formed either years ago or formed without watching many games, it should be noted that 70% of the US's World Cup 2002 team is now in MLS. Friedel came from MLS, and that was when it wasn't too good. So while I wouldn't say he'll not miss a beat in the Premiership, it might be stretching it a bit to call him unproven.

I'm confident that the fans will be pleased with Howard's play. I'd compare him to Kasey Keller at this point. He's a dang good keeper.

I do agree that the team is older and more injury prone and seems to have less depth not more. But the transfer window hasn't closed yet. IMHO, Keane and O'Shea are the keys. If Keane stays healthy and O'Shea continues to develop, United are going to be in at least as good of a shape as last season. But if Keane's injured, then the Premiership is wide open to about 5 teams.

-Digital

[Lancashire Lad]

I dont think the squad is anywhere near as bad as some people think.

True Keane is coming towards the end of his career and has had to modify his game to a degree, but we have Butt and Djemba Djemba, it is an area that needs to be watched and may need further strengthening. We need to give Djemba Djemba a chance.

Defence I think we have a good squad, could do with more cover, but G Neville, Rio, Silvestre, Brown and O'Shea....and Phil Neville mister utility. All bar Phil can play in the centre, we need some full back cover.

We could do with another forward. Is Forlan going to score 20 goals a season, we should get a better idea this season. Ruud and Ole need another partner, whether Forlan can offer the support needed and is an alternative to an injured Ruud remains to be seen.

There are some promising youth players
Fletcher
Richardson
Pugh

I dont need to mention Scholes or Giggs as they speak for themselves. The loss of Becks has made a hole, but SAF brought in a number of quality young players after 1994, will history repeat, maybe not, but we need a few players.

I agree with strengthening the squad, but lets not panic just yet. There is still time, but who, if any players will they get?

[sch2383]

Originally posted by haven
prk:

How many player improve each year in their 30's? I'd wager you'll find some, but not many. Keane himself has said he doubts he'll play until his mid-30's. I'd wager he'll be better than he was right after his return from injury. But if you're counting on someone his age to return to his golden years in order to win...

...well, it's time for Plan B.

We all know if anybody will bring himself back by sheer force of will it will be Keane.

I think what SAF and Kenyon are doing is a smart thing. There is no need to blow big money on a player you really don't want. I think we should all know enough to trust SAF, or at least give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Motterman]

Originally posted by sch2383
We all know if anybody will bring himself back by sheer force of will it will be Keane.

I think what SAF and Kenyon are doing is a smart thing. There is no need to blow big money on a player you really don't want. I think we should all know enough to trust SAF, or at least give him the benefit of the doubt.

I trusted Sir Alex when it came to backing the Roni bid. He has obivous talent, but the only perceived knock was his commitment. I trusted Fergie when he targeted him as he saw the player as the key to winning Europe this year. And now we're still supposed to trust Fergie if he decides we don't need a player of Roni's calibre (or anybody additional) anyway?

I know. I still do trust him. God knows, Ferguson has definately earned it. It's too soon right now to think CLEARLY as it is...

[sch2383]

Originally posted by Motterman
I trusted Sir Alex when it came to backing the Roni bid. He has obivous talent, but the only perceived knock was his commitment. I trusted Fergie when he targeted him as he saw the player as the key to winning Europe this year. And now we're still supposed to trust Fergie if he decides we don't need a player of Roni's calibre (or anybody additional) anyway?

I know. I still do trust him. God knows, Ferguson has definately earned it. It's too soon right now to think CLEARLY as it is...

Exactly...anyway we are fans and it is our job to overreact to anything that happens.

[sinner78]

Fergie should go back to the youth team and bring some players through.
Most youth products in the last 10 years have been shown the door.
the last batch of youth players to get a chance in the team was the scholes/beckham/neville...batch..

[ROM2]

Gaucho & Nistelrooy partnership would've been lethal but once Barca came in with a bid it was inevitable that Gaucho was going...Romario Ronaldo and Rivaldo are 3 of his Brazillian contempories who went to Barca with big reps and won WPY awards no for guessing wot their advice were...also if he helps Barca into the Champions league next season his achievments will be sweeter instead walking into a winning formula - pity I was looking forward to seeing him in England but just as pleased he's at Barca.

Kleberson is a good player and in Veron United have all the subtly they need...probably a badass striker away from a super team.

[johno]

I think you are right

Depending on two things...
1) can Ole Gunnar play in the fashion he did against Celtic on the right: running up and down being physical and making his presence felt.

2) No defenders... ************ for that matter nobody other than Veron gets injured... we are thin...


Also we must see what Bellion can do but i fancy he will need a season or two to mature fully...

Keane playing the way we know he is capable of playing will be a huge factor for Manu... if SAF decides to let Ole strike with Ruud this season we will definetly need to pick up a right half...