Djemba-Djemba is likely to miss the US tour after he injured his knee. Ruud and Ronaldo are almost certain to miss after they played in Euro 04. O'Shea and Fortune are recovering from injuries. Kleberson, Forlan, and Heinze will play in Copa America so they will not come to the US. This further the chance that we might see Cooper and Spector play. Bought my tickets for the game in Giants Stadium, and seems that supporters should conform with seeing youngsters play. Would you rather see the superstars or the youngsters play?
For the amount we have paid for tickets it better be superstars. If what you say is correct then a lot of the first team is missing and that is who people are paying to see. I have no problem the youngsters getting mintues but if say U2 appeared without Bono half the crowd would be demanding a refund. Injuries I can understand but not because they have just played Euro 2004, at least show up for half a game please.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=304609&cc=5901 thats the link... I really don't think Cronaldo will get any playing time... he has really played alot of football recently reaching the finals and all... Ruud, perhaps we will see a bit of him... I am sad that Klebs and DjDj wont play because we need to see more of them... I am glad we may see Pique and will certainly see Spector Here are a few others I expect to see: Fletcher, Richardson, Smith, Solskjaer, Bellion, Saha, Miller, Brown, Butt and Phil (if not sold yet so we can convince someone to buy them.) Maybe Silvestre
Well, its unfortunate, but the combination of Euros and the fact that we'll have CL qualifiers to concentrate on means that some of the guys will have to be rested. I'm really not surprised in the least bit, as I think most of us saw this coming. Last year the team had the opportunity to rest up, use the tour to get back into the swing of things, and mainly focus on the Premiership season. I'm a little disappointed, but I'll put up with not being able to see the stars in July so that we can lift silverware in May.
I agree....I saw Newcastle in Asia YEARS ago, and although Alan Sherear was new back then, he showed up for 10 minutes and it made my day.....sincerity counts!!
This is from A article from Soccernet.com "Ferguson has already decided the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers will not be on the trans-Atlantic flight on Wednesday following the rigours of Euro 2004." heres the link http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=305147&cc=5901
I don't see what people expect. They may pay what they wish, but you'd have to be a fool to expect Man Utd to compromise a competitive advantage so they can field a full squad in a preseason tour. They charge what they can. If you want to pay the price, great. In fact, I would, had I the opportunity. But don't ask a club to risk the health of their players just because you spent a few bucks on a ticket.
well they had the whole squad in last years tour.. but i understand that they need their rest from Euro 2004.
The problem is, people will still bitch and complain about United with this. They blamed us for not playing an MLS side last tour and this one too. It's not our fault ChampionsWorld makes these decisions, they are the ones who make these tours happen and are the ones promoting it. But, we'll be blamed anyways, just because it's "fashionable".
More than likely Smith will make the trip... Here is what we know of who is NOT coming... Ruud Ronaldo G.Neville P.Neville DjDj Klebs Questionable O'Shea --- recovering from surgery Fortune --- recovering Heinze --- is in 30 man provisional Olympic Squad Players who are most likely going who we will want to see... Spector --- after just 1 year or so he has impressed and if he plays well he may become the defender that gets called up to the bench when 1 or 2 get injured/suspended... either way we will see how good he is. Ole --- he will have to prove his fitness and his ability to play RW and backup Ronaldo who will miss the start of the season. Smith --- he will be trying to oust Saha as Ruud's starting partner, its going to be hard to do, but not impossible. Saha --- the French did not get far and he did not play much so he should be allowed to come. He will be playing to secure his position as Ruud's partner and possibly also to convince SAF that if Ruud goes down, he could possibly play the 4-5-1 using Saha. Wes Brown --- He needs to hit the floor running this season... SAF has praised him over the years and he started to look good near the end of last season, he is fighting for a starting spot in the defence while Rio is out... if he cannot secure that this season it will probably be the end of him, with Heinze in the rotation, Silvestre, and Rio established and Spector quickly developing. Silvestre --- he should make the tour and he needs practice, he looked horrid for France and needs to show his goods on the tour, he needs to look like the best CenterBack on the team (while Rio is out) or look good enough to put O'Shea on the bench and play LB. Giggs --- he wont play all that much, but he needs to get some games in and I know many of you would like to see him. Richardson --- I just feel he will get alot of minutes... I hope he does... he needs to prove to SAF that we don't need to buy cover for Ryan, that he can step up and take the reigns and perhaps surpass Giggs in a year or two. Eagles --- his name has been thrown around and he will be insurance against an Ole injury early in the season... at least I hope Fletcher does not play RW... either way, Eagles needs to show some potential, from what I hear he is at least another year or two away from Fletcher's role with the team now. Miller --- this guy will get tons of time... with Scholes, Kleberson, DjDj missing and Ronaldo missing too, we will need some creativity and quite frankly, a body to put in the middle... this is his big chance to show his potential and earn SAF's admiration. Fletcher --- will get alot of time as well, needs to show that he is capable of backing up Keane/Scholes and this will be a big test for him... at times the offense may flow through him and he needs to show he can do that. Keane --- he has nothing to prove, he does not need to be rested but he is getting older so this is a big ?
Thanks for the information. It is my understanding Man Utd flies out on Wednesday. Will the roster for the U.S. tour be announced sometime this week?
I Think that people were willing to pay the high ticket prices to see the world class players.....we we all led to believe that the superstars would be playing. It really sucks that I spent over $100 for a ticket to see the B-team. I totally understand the decision to rest key players. But that doesn't mean I am happy about it. I paid $40 to see the US - Poland friendly and the Fire - Revolution doubleheader......and I had better seat at the doubleheader than I will for Man Utd - Bayern Munich. It doesn't seem right does it? I always wondered how I spent so much money attending a soccer match when tickets were only X amount of dollars.....well let's see how it adds up (please note: I live 4 1/2 hrs. from Chicago which is the closest place I can see a pro match) A tank of gas to get to the game - $20 Parking - $30 Hotel - $180 The requisite souvenir T-Shirt - $25 The hotdog and beer lunch - $12 The other 5 beers to fill out the six pack - $30 Other meals - $50 Vacation day off of work - $150 Seeing the Manchester United "B-team" kick the crap out of Bayern Munich -- Not priceless....more like worthless. And people wonder why MLS attendance is suffering.....because it cost so much for us loyal fans to go to games....we can't afford it!
Waht tickets did u get fer the game in chicago and how much....i got 6 tickets...manU supporters section 152...row 19 fer 45 each....including the fricin 5.50 "convenience" charge on ticket master!
I am getting really pissed off because you forgot to include me as an absentee! Darn stupid soccer camp timing ruining everything. I guess I will just watch it on tape after hearing about it for a few weeks. Pity my horrible self.
To all the people complaining about not seeing the A Team youre absolutely right but at the same time didnt you realize that these players started preseason a year ago and their seasons ended in may--then they went to practice for euro2004 and copa america---meaning the manu players almost had no breaks to rest other then being injured Theyre not machines --what did you expect them to come to this tour and get injured..... Last year i bought my tickets in january for both milan-juve and manu-juve because there was no summer tournement and for the milan/juve they had fan sections which they dont this year for the jersey games. This year i didnt even bother not to mention they raised the ticket prices lol $100 for manu-milan I might get some tickets last minute but i will know what im getting...... Also when it comes to this why dont the euro teams play the metrostars argument i have to ask the usmnt fans a question Why doesnt the us organize a small 4-8 team summer tournement or simple friendlies with major soccer powers.... US-england,ireland,portugal,italy,germany,france,croatia,holland,greece can easily sell out giants stadium the us invitational can happen next year since theyre having a mini mundial in germany2005 like they had in 97 in france when rcarlos scored that wonder goal