Fergie Bows to critiscm. He's sending the stars out to the US tour.

Dark Savante · Jul 29, 2004

Stars and gripes
From NEIL CUSTIS in Philadelphia

ALEX FERGUSON has been forced to fly his top stars to New York.

The Manchester United boss acted swiftly to save the club’s reputation.

United suffered enormous criticism after fielding a bunch of youngsters in the 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich in Chicago.

They were booed by the 58,000 crowd and have had pressure put on them by tour organisers Champions World.

Last night against Celtic in Philadelphia he brought in more recognised names like Tim Howard and the Neville brothers.

Now he has buckled under pressure and will fly out top-name stars Ruud van Nistelrooy, Mikael Silvestre, Louis Saha and Paul Scholes for Saturday’s game against AC Milan in New York.

Fergie had originally left them at home to rest after Euro 2004.

He said: “I have had to do this reluctantly but we have suffered a lot of criticism because of the team we played against Bayern Munich.

“We made a big impact in America last year on tour and we want to enhance that.

“We will be bringing out Van Nistelrooy, Silvestre, Saha and Scholes for the game against AC Milan in New York.

“I understand the public want to see the stars and we do not want them to feel as if we take that lightly.

“I had left those players at home to give them a rest after Euro 2004 and others out here have had injuries, but I do not think the American public have appreciated that situation.

“We have had to take this step now for the sake of our reputation in the States.

“I understand that organisers Champions World have come under pressure.

“Last year we captured a lot of people’s minds with our football and we do not now want them to think we take them for granted.”

The players will have to undergo a 13-hour round trip for just one game — coming out on Friday and returning to England on Sunday.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,...4350179,00.html

Dark Savante · Jul 29, 2004

Oh dear, I think this is a very stupid descision by the club. The people that went to watch the 1st two games are now well within their rights to ask for their money back, because they paid for a product that was not their and now that the 'stars' are arriving it makes those guys who went to the first two games look like they've been hustled..

This is going to turn into a shambles. At this juncture I'd be p!ssed if I went to the Bayern or Celtic game and saw the youngsters and then found out the stars are coming in to save some face for the next game...ugh.. what a mess.

BillyManutd · Jul 29, 2004

The problem is not only that SAF is playing youngsters with future with the club and resting the stars players, but also playing first team veterans out of position in which they will not play to their strenghts like Keane in a three man backline and O'Shea in midfield. While the results of these exhibition matches don't count toward the EPL or any cup, it is a stupidity to bring the big guns for the last game because of the pressure from fans and Champions World and to save some reputation. Either you bring your best players for the whole tour or leave them home. We need to prepare the team for the new season and CL qualifier and I wonder if there is enough time to get ready for it.

I don't know what is going on with Fergie. Giving rest to those players playing in Euro and then saying he will also give them a two week rest in December. Queiroz where are you? Can you change Fergie's mind? That is why we brought you back to the team for.

vabeacher · Jul 29, 2004

They make it sound as if a 13 hour round trip from London to NY (in first class) is a hardship for these players. Too bad the Concord is not flying any more, I'm sure Man U. would have booked them on that. It'll most likely be the most relaxing two days these guys will have spent in a while.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was the plan all along. The game in NY is certainly the premier event of the Champions World Tour.

prk166 · Jul 29, 2004

Dark Savante said:

Oh dear, I think this is a very stupid descision by the club. The people that went to watch the 1st two games are now well within their rights to ask for their money back, because they paid for a product that was not their and now that the 'stars' are arriving it makes those guys who went to the first two games look like they've been hustled..

This is going to turn into a shambles. At this juncture I'd be p!ssed if I went to the Bayern or Celtic game and saw the youngsters and then found out the stars are coming in to save some face for the next game...ugh.. what a mess.
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The people that paid for tickets knew full well that they were paying for a meaningless preseason game. Those people have no one to blame but themselves.

BENFICA55 · Jul 29, 2004

yes this is great..im going to the game on saturday...but hey i hope you guys that went to the first 2 games get your money back that is definetly well deseved... i think thats a load of crap for the people that went to the first 2 games..... I guess im a lucky one huh?

Dark Savante · Jul 29, 2004

prk166 said:

The people that paid for tickets knew full well that they were paying for a meaningless preseason game. Those people have no one to blame but themselves.
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Well then you've completely missed the point of what I just said. Your arguement is correct if Fergie remained consistent and used the same squad for all 3 games but by bowing to pressure and bringing in 'stars' after 2 games it becomes a question for those who attended the first 2 of whether they just got ripped off or not.

If they paid in advance of 300dollars(travel, parking, etc) and got Chadwick and promising youth and then see people who pay the same amount and get to see VNR, Saha, Scholes and Silvestre they have every right to feel wronged.

Consistency is paramount. The stars should not be coming...now...

BENFICA55 · Jul 29, 2004

dark savante i back you on that....BUT CAN I BE HAPPY THAT IM GOING TO SEE RVN SAHA SCHOLES AND SILVESTRE!!!????? BUT YOU GUYS ARE DEFEINTLY RIGHT!!!

Nicky Butt · Jul 29, 2004

I'm surprised he is flying the guys out. Last night was definitely better than Bayern game. We saw both Nevilles, Howard, Giggs, Keane, O'Shea, Smith, and Forlan as well as the many up and comers.

For people like Saha, Silvestre and Scholes, they should be here for the Milan game since France and England crashed out of Euro in the quarters. England lost on June 24th and France lost on the 25th.

I would be surprised if any of these guys played more than a half.

imasyko · Jul 29, 2004

Dark Savante said:

Well then you've completely missed the point of what I just said. Your arguement is correct if Fergie remained consistent and used the same squad for all 3 games but by bowing to pressure and bringing in 'stars' after 2 games it becomes a question for those who attended the first 2 of whether they just got ripped off or not.

If they paid in advance of 300dollars(travel, parking, etc) and got Chadwick and promising youth and then see people who pay the same amount and get to see VNR, Saha, Scholes and Silvestre they have every right to feel wronged.

Consistency is paramount. The stars should not be coming...now...
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DS - Perhaps there is a point you're overlooking - namely that this tour brought a lot of money into the coffers of the participants last year. The future of this money making capability lies in the perception of the paying public that they will get to see the big names, even if only for a half. The desultory exhibition staged by ManU and Bayern will only serve notice that these are pre-season games and one cannot count on seeing the best players. The people paying $60 and up for tickets will not want to see a bunch of 18 year olds playing 'kick-around'.

johno · Jul 29, 2004

IMO... not that bad of a decision... imo... i feel something like this was planned all along... I just had the feeling the big guns would be coming, because Fergie is not an idiot (except when assigning positions to players) and he knew the reputation at stake, however by doing this, he appeases some fans, and CWS and also does not tire out the big guns too much...

drew_VT_6 · Jul 29, 2004

One thing ChampionsWorld better realize is, soccer fans in this country get to see players who could make a reserve squad easily every week. They're not going to pay 3-5 times as much to see players at and below that level.

Dark Savante · Jul 29, 2004

imasyko said:

DS - Perhaps there is a point you're overlooking - namely that this tour brought a lot of money into the coffers of the participants last year. The future of this money making capability lies in the perception of the paying public that they will get to see the big names, even if only for a half. The desultory exhibition staged by ManU and Bayern will only serve notice that these are pre-season games and one cannot count on seeing the best players. The people paying $60 and up for tickets will not want to see a bunch of 18 year olds playing 'kick-around'.
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I agree in part but this entire affair now stinks of unprofessionalism. If you seperate clientele in such a manner you are going to leave a bad taste in some peoples mouths. It looks like an exercise in damage limitation to bring players over for the last game of a tour, I mean the people from the first two games(especially the Bayern one) are now well within their rights to question what the hell is going on, where, if the same squad had been used for all 3games they couldn't have the same gripe.

There's no other reason for the guys coming over for the last game then damage reduction. It will appease those who go to the Milan game no doubt, but those who went to the other games could well feel further outrage. I know I would be angry at this sudden 'concern' the club has shown since the media has gotten involved...

It all looks ill thought out now and there is pressure on the 'stars' to perform and save Man Utd's blushes and to avoid further furore from all quarters.

servotron · Jul 29, 2004

When it comes down to it, this whole tour is a marketing engine for Man U and the EPL for the most part, and having a second-string team playing is not good advertising. I've been watching all the games, and the Man U games have looked more or less like watching the A-League with bigger crowds. Don't get me wrong, I love the A-League, but these are the world's biggest teams; I expect to be entertained in the biggest way, even on TV!

Achtung · Jul 29, 2004

Well, I'm happy that the other cities get to see the stars... just wish we had gotten the opportunity.

imasyko · Jul 29, 2004

Dark Savante said:

I
There's no other reason for the guys coming over for the last game then damage reduction. It will appease those who go to the Milan game no doubt, but those who went to the other games could well feel further outrage. I know I would be angry at this sudden 'concern' the club has shown since the media has gotten involved...
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I see your point and agree - it is unfair to those people at the other sites, but the NY game has much larger ramifications - bad press in Seattle vs. bad press in NY...BIG difference. No surprise that Celtic fielded a better squad last night either.

Acronym · Jul 29, 2004

free tickets to OT would better them.

Fevernova99 · Jul 29, 2004

If they have been resting then it means they are not match fit, what good is saha and scholes not fit? To sit there on the bench and say the stars are here but they just wont play, or they will walk around the pitch for 5 minutes so you can see them. Better off just keeping them home.

jammybastard · Jul 29, 2004

Dark Savante said:

This is going to turn into a shambles. At this juncture I'd be p!ssed if I went to the Bayern or Celtic game and saw the youngsters and then found out the stars are coming in to save some face for the next game...ugh.. what a mess.
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It's already is a shambles, and an embarassment for the club.
When they start offering refunds for Chicago I'll be impressed.

jammybastard · Jul 29, 2004

prk166 said:

The people that paid for tickets knew full well that they were paying for a meaningless preseason game. Those people have no one to blame but themselves.
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Eh?
No, we paid for a meaningful exhibition game. Pardon the semantics, but they (Man U and CW) set a precedent last year which they used to build hype and raise ticket prices for this year.
They advertised the top players from the top teams in the world playing in the US. They didn't deliver in Chicago and they know it and that's why you see SAF speaking out to set the record straight.

BENFICA55 · Jul 29, 2004

Hey does anyone know what time the practice, is tomorrow at giants stadium, meadowlands. I would like to know what time the practice is. Thanks for the help. Who is going to the game on saturday... im going section 315 row 1...Hey and I hope you guys get your money back who ever went to the first 2 games... its all deserved... I HAD A FEELING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN

WE LOVE UNITED, WE DO - WE LOVE UNITED, WE DO - WE LOVE UNITED, WE DO - - OH UNITED WE LOVE YOU

CelticOnFire · Jul 29, 2004

Im kinda mad about this, but atleast Man U arnt ripping everybody off by sending out a reserve squad + Keane. Im still mad about Chicago though. I feel ripped off.
Also, credit to Forlan for playing in the Copa Third place game on Saturday, then meeting up with the team.

BENFICA55 · Jul 29, 2004

Just to let you guys in on the news.. ONLY SCHOLES AND SILVESTRE ARE COMING DOWN.....

http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=85806&itype=466&icategoryid=120

tomvandamn · Jul 29, 2004

well celtic, roma,acmilan,chelsea,bayern came here with the majority of their squad so why should manu be any different

manu shouldve brought4-5 youngsters tops it seems they brought all of the reserves

Now im definitly going to the manu-milan game and for those fans that got screwed well there is nothing manu can do
but bayern atleast gave out free kits in chicago 70-75$value from adidas

And you think nike would help promote soccer somewhat in this country

United Forever · Jul 29, 2004

tomvandamn said:

well celtic, roma,acmilan,chelsea,bayern came here with the majority of their squad so why should manu be any different

manu shouldve brought4-5 youngsters tops it seems they brought all of the reserves

Now im definitly going to the manu-milan game and for those fans that got screwed well there is nothing manu can do
but bayern atleast gave out free kits in chicago 70-75$value from adidas

And you think nike would help promote soccer somewhat in this country
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Look at the teams you mentioned: Celtic - most of their players are scottish. Did Scotland feature in Euro 2004.Most of AC Milan stars did not even play Euro 2004. Rui Costa had little cameos. Shev not there.Gattuso out first round. The only gut that was at Euro/Copa and played alot was Stam for AC. Khan, Ballack, Frings etc played for Germany and were knocked out FIRST ROUND. Roma players also.Totti played ONE MATCH. Chelsea have TONS of talent and most important of them all DEPTH. They can afford to bring their stars.