Since winning the CL our still has changed. Funnily enough, whilst watching the Chelsea game at the pub, my friend and I were commenting on how we no longer play cavilier football but, a more contenintal-european style. We don't actually have the players to do it anymore anyway. Giggs, Keane, Scholes were at the peak of fitness then and Beckham had an extremely different style of play also our strikers of that time were suited to that kind of game especially with the excellent understanding Yorke and Cole had upfront. The only way we could ever get back into such a system is with a team of regular starters playing with each other over and over and over again till they know each others moves and responses to an almost telepathic level. It'd take at least 12months to build up such a team tempo again but, I don't think Fergie sees that style of footy to be the way forward for us because Europe is our main goal every year now and he doesn't want the teams rythmic euro style disrupted by playing two diff styles (one for prem, one for europe) which is fair enough.
Never, Never, Never, Never, Never No shakespeare quotes or references please... I have a final to take and I can just imagine me saying that in the 5th thread of the 1st board motterman said "it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing..." See, its started already, I cant stop... its not my fault, its not, I swear... Lol... I can actually think of a few quotes that are fitting... Romeo and Juliet O Shevchenko, Shevchenko! wherefore art thou Shevchenko? Deny thy father (club) and refuse (high wages) thy name; or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love (striker), And become a Capulet (Red Devil). Titus Andronicus Die, die,(Lavinia) Liverpool, and thy shame with thee --------------- (Howard) Lucius, save the child (PK) and bear (parry) it from me to the (touch)empress. If thou do this, I'll show thee wonderous things (bonus!!!) Julius Caesar (On Ole Gunnar) This was the noblest Roman of them all All the conspirators (bench strikers) save only he Did that they did in envy of great Caesar (Ruud) He only, in a general honest thougt And common good to all, made one of them his (first touch) life was gentle, and the elements (of his game) So mix'd in him that Nature (Sir Alex) might stand up and say to all the world 'This was a (Striker) man! Perhaps one of the best... lol Julius Caesar again... Portia speaking to Brutus... I grant I am a woman (uraguayan); but withal a woman (uraguayan) that Lord Brutus/SAF took to wife (bought on a transfer) King Lear... As flies to wanton boys, is the premiership to ManU We kill them for sport Theres one in Antony and Cleopatra that reminds me of Keano.. Age cannot wither her/him, nor custom stale/injury Her/His infinite variety: other women cloy(other teams covet) the appetites(strikers) they/he feeds....
United could definitely play that style again and be successful with it. Since going to a more defensive/continental/boring style United hasn't become any more successful than they were before.The results are basically the same -- both in the league & in Europe. Chelsea are playing an attackng style after bringing in almost an entire new squad. United shouldn't be buying players who aren't capable of playing attractive attacking football. When Fergie sold Beckham & Veron and didn't replace them with proven players I wasn't too thrilled, but I had faith in Fergie's judgement. When he sold Ince, Hughes & Kanchelski in the same summer & didn't replace them with anyone he knew that the 'kids' could step in. So far while the new players have all shown flashes none of them have shown they are capable of being major contributers to a title winning side.
You made some sense... however, beware, these little contributions always go unnoticed during the season but after a title you realize how important they were... also, I have no doubt that after a year we will be a stronger team than we were last year... At which time the contributions being made by Ronaldo, Kleb, Dj, Fletch and Howard will be key...
I'm aware of the importance of players doing the 'little things' during the course of a game & season. The point of this thread isn't little things though, it's the biggest thing -- goals. I was also responding to Dark Savante's contention that United's current squad isn't capable of playing an entertaining & attacking style. I don't believe this is the case, but if it is United should never have signed such players. United have a responsibility that most other clubs don't. They have to win games & also entertain.
I agree with you there, we can play enterprising football with the new blood, given time... but we have already seen flashes from Ronaldo, Kleb and DjDj.. Ronaldo with his twists and turns. DjDj with his fierce tackling, good runs and long passes... and Kleberson with his first time balls and brazilianess...