Manchester United 2014-2015

[yinyang]

Now for rest of season into May. Next big stop: Chelskis at Stamford Bridge this sat. Won't be easy as last couple games. Hopefully, we can get away with a draw against the likely title champs:p

Manchester United Fixtures

April 2015

Premier League
Chelsea v Man Utd Sat 18 Apr 17:30

Premier League
Everton v Man Utd Sun 26 Apr 13:30

May 2015

Premier League
Man Utd v West Brom Sat 2 May 17:30

Premier League
Crystal Palace v Man Utd Sat 9 May 17:30

Premier League
Man Utd v Arsenal Sun 17 May 16:00

Premier League
Hull v Man Utd Sun 24 May 15:00

 

[yinyang]

LVG partied with MC's ladies team after victory sun. Not in good taste by former?

Man United's Van Gaal beats Man City, parties with their ladies team
Louis van Gaal enjoys his time with the Man City ladies team (Picture: Toni Duggan/Instagram)


Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal beats Manchester City, parties with their ladies team
George Bellshaw for Metro.co.uk Monday 13 Apr 2015 10:44 am

http://metro.co.uk/2015/04/13/manch...ty-parties-with-their-ladies-team-5147436/616

Louis van Gaal celebrated Manchester United’s 4-2 derby victory over Manchester City in style by getting snaps with City’s female stars Toni Duggan and Isobel Christiansen.

The Dutchman had told the press of his plans to head to Cantonese restaurant Wings – a hot spot for footballers in Manchester – after his victory.

Toni Duggan, possibly unwisely, posted the photo of her and the Red Devils boss on her Instagram and has risked the wrath of City fans.

It was perhaps not the best timing to upload the shot considering the humiliating defeat suffered by her team that very day and she has since deleted the post.

 

[yinyang]

Posted on my other funnies (wrong) thread :o

 

[FUNCHOI]

Transfer Gossip:

Man Utd holding talks to buy Danny Ings,22 from Burnley.

 

[yinyang]

My old time favourite MU payer, now sometimes poet and actor. Still with optimism for next season?

Eric Cantona: Man Utd can win 2016 Premier League title


http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32300770



Eric Cantona says Manchester United's derby win over Manchester City proves they are capable of winning the Premier League title next season.

United beat City 4-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday to consolidate third place in the Premier League table.

"Now they are the kings of the city," said Cantona, who won four titles for United between 1992 and 1997.
"Sometimes you have a season when you lose games and you finish fourth or fifth. Next year they can win."

Despite going behind to an early Sergio Aguero goal, United came back strongly with goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling before Aguero added a late consolation.

The first home derby victory since 2011 put them four points ahead of league champions City and firmly on course for a return to the Champions League next season.

Speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai, China, Cantona addressed a wide-range of topics.
The Frenchman gave his verdict on current United manager Louis van Gaal, describing the Dutchman as "the right one" and "a good one" when asked if he would consider managing the club himself.

He also revisited the kung-fu kick he launched at Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons in 1995 and the importance developing young footballers has in winning titles.

The 48-year-old went on to deny his latest film You and the Night should be considered 'soft porn', describing it instead as "a piece of art". 'Nobody will teach me how to behave'

Eric Cantona
Cantona served 120 hours of community service and was banned for nine months by the FA
In 1995, Cantona attacked a Crystal Palace fan, responding to the jeers of the crowd with a kung-fu kick in a moment that still resonates as one of the most extraordinary in sport.

He was initially sentenced to two weeks in prison for the offence but instead served 120 hours of community service after an appeal, and was also banned for nine months by the Football Association.

"Through me everyone can realise you do good things and bad things," Cantona said.
"I've done things I am proud about and I have done some bad things that I do not regret because it's just my life. If you are happy then good, and if you are not, I don't care. Nobody will teach me how to behave."

 

[yinyang]

Manchester United, Chelsea & Barcelona in USA pre-season cup

Manchester United will defend their International Champions Cup title, the competition in which they set a USA attendance record for a football match.

This summer's competition will include Chelsea, Barcelona, Fiorentina, Porto, PSG, LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, San Jose Earthquakes and Club America.

United and Real Madrid attracted a crowd of 109,318 to Michigan Stadium during last year's tournament.
Louis van Gaal's side went on to beat Liverpool in the final on 4 August.

None of the fixtures, dates and venues have yet to be confirmed by organisers.
Last summer's tournament, which featured Manchester City, finished 12 days before the start of the Premier League season.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32322693

 

[laksaboy]

My old time favourite MU payer, now sometimes poet and actor. Still with optimism for next season?

Eric Cantona: Man Utd can win 2016 Premier League title

Same guy who said Pastore is world-class... but the latter played like shit against Barcelona.

 

[yinyang]

Man Utd owners not 'ogres' says their former PR man

By Simon Stone
BBC Sport http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32334151

Manchester United's controversial American owners are not "ogres" but a "down to earth close-knit family", according to the man responsible for managing their public image during their takeover of the club 10 years ago.

The Glazers, led by their late billionaire businessman father Malcolm, bought United for £790m in a leveraged deal in May 2005, which immediately put the club into £660m of debt.

A decade on, with the club worth £1.8bn and debt halved to £380.5m, Tehsin Nayani has detailed his six-year relationship from 2005 to 2010 with the secretive family, who have not given an extensive interview in almost 10 years, in his book 'The Glazer Gate Keeper'.

So close was Nayani to events involving United, he witnessed Sir Alex Ferguson sitting on a silver crate in the breakfast room of United's team hotel in Moscow in 2008 "grinning like a Cheshire Cat" knowing it contained the Champions League trophy won against Chelsea the previous night.

Although he opens his book with the line "The Glazers may not be the ideal owners of Manchester United", Nayani accepts it is written from a sympathetic standpoint towards the Americans, even though it was done without their, or United's input. They were, however, told "as a matter of courtesy".

In putting together his 323-page account, Nayani went through thousands of cuttings, emails and text messages, plus his own recollections of the unique access he had.
'Sinister cartoon bogeymen'?

From the outset, Nayani had to battle against an extremely negative perception of Manchester United's new owners from fans, supporters groups and some media outlets. They were not trusted because of the amount of debt they had saddled a club that had been the most profitable in Britain with.

"It was often difficult to look beyond the customised portrayal of them as sinister cartoon bogeymen," says Nayani.
Malcolm Glazer bore the brunt of the ridicule and contempt, "usually accompanied by an unkind caricature of him as a leprechaun".

MUST (Manchester United Supporters Trust) were at the forefront of the opposition to the Glazer family prior to their takeover.
Afterwards, they organised concerted campaigns against the Glazers' Automatic Cup Scheme, which forced season-ticket holders to buy tickets for home cup games for the Champions League and FA Cup, plus the League Cup, although the latter requirement was subsequently dropped.

MUST were also behind the green and gold campaign , when they called on fans to wear the colours of Newton Heath - the team Manchester United grew out of - in response to fears over the future of the club. The fears were sparked by a number of financial warnings contained in the prospectus for the club's 2010 bond issue, including what even Nayani accepts was a "mind-boggling" £38.6m loss from an interest rate swap and the potential sale of the club's training ground, which would serve as a "call to arms".
MUST's stance has since softened, with United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward meeting the organisation's chief executive

Such a meeting was unthinkable to Nayani during his time with the Old Trafford club.
"In all my time with the club I never contacted or engaged with any of the Supporters Trust's representatives. I did not trust them and was never keen to debate the merits [or otherwise] of debt."
MUST's response is unequivocal. "He [Nayani] is spouting even more drivel now than he did when he was working for the Glazers."
Beckham gives protesting fans big fillip

After returning to Old Trafford to play for AC Milan in a Champions League game in 2010, David Beckham was making his way towards the tunnel to a standing ovation when he picked a green and gold scarf up off the pitch and draped it round his neck.
With that one gesture, the world's most recognisable footballer gave visual support to the colours adopted by the anti-Glazer movement.

"I immediately grabbed my Blackberry, scrolled through my address book to JG and pressed the green icon," recounts Nayani, who had left the stadium for his Manchester hotel long before the final whistle. "Joel, are you watching what I am watching?"
Far from being alarmed or worried at the development, Glazer was calm and measured in his response, first stating "is it so bad?", then realising Nayani was still frantic at the protestors getting such a world-famous 'poster boy', reasoning: "Football is a passionate business. Won't it blow over? It has always blown over in the past.

"Sure some fans are angry and protesting inside Old Trafford but from where I am sitting there are many millions of fans happy that the team are through to the next round."

According to Nayani, the phone exchange concludes with Glazer doubting the actual sentiments were as serious as they appeared to be, even though almost five years earlier he, along with brothers Avi and Bryan, had been spirited out of Old Trafford in the back of a police van for their own protection.
"I get that some fans don't like us but to hate us, it's such a strong word," said Joel Glazer. "To hate us when the club has been so successful, it's extraordinary."

Manchester United kit
US insurance giant Aon paid £80m over four years to have its name on the Manchester United shirt from 2010
It has frequently been suggested the Glazers were looking to sell United, yet according to Nayani, the family never considered the prospect. Instead, they have set about driving up commercial revenues, which rose from £49m in 2005 to £189m in 2014, 44% of the overall £433m income.

Working closely with the Glazers, Woodward took charge of an expanding sales team in London which soon outgrew office space in Belgravia, moved through Pall Mall and Mayfair and in addition to central London, now boasts an office in Hong Kong and soon there will be another in New York. Two of the biggest deals during Nayani's time were the shirt sponsorships of AIG and Aon for £56.5m and £80m - both UK records - for four-year terms from 2006 and 2010 respectively.
AIG replaced Vodafone, who terminated its contract two years early.

Looking back, sources accept the news was greeted negatively by senior figures inside the club. Nayani says Joel Glazer did not share that view, believing Vodafone's decision to withdraw represented an opportunity "to seek a new sponsor at a more lucrative rate".

To recruit Aon, United sent a mock-up shirt bearing the name of each company to a long list of suitable candidates that had been drawn up by the club. Despite their fresh thinking with new marketing strategies designed to boost the club's profits, the Glazer family were generally maligned by fans and observers alike and Nayani says, compared unfavourably to the then Liverpool owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who were far more engaging with the media.

"The Glazers did seem disinterested in Manchester United, the lack of media interviews was at best interpreted as indifference, or at worst, not even caring for the club," Nayani writes. However, the truth, according to Nayani, was the opposite, with the Glazers having a clear vision about how United could be a success, "on and off the pitch". The 'Not for Sale' mantra never changed.
'Knights refused to give up despite having limbs dismembered'

Tehsin Nayani
Tehsin Nayani, who spent six years working for the Glazer family as their official spokesman, ridiculed the Red Knights' proposed £1bn takeover of Manchester United in his book. Even more than MUST, Nayani reserves his most pointed criticism for the 'Red Knights', a group of investors who put together a strategy for buying the Glazers out in 2010.
Early in 2010, it was reported the Red Knights had met in London to discuss a potential £1bn bid for the club.
Nayani felt it was "incredibly naive" for the Red Knights to go public quite so soon, particularly as their own funding had not yet come close to being secured. He noted with irony that debt would be required for any realistic bid to be made by them and was humoured at the way the group maintained their offensive even after it became obvious they could not succeed. "Like their Black Knight counterpart in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, they would stubbornly refuse ever to give up despite having all their limbs dismembered," Nayani writes.
Glazer family's veil removed?

The Glazers have offered so little in public about their ownership of Manchester United that Nayani's testimony can only help shed some of the mystique surrounding them.

Trophies won under Glazers' tenure
Premier League 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013
Champions League 2008, League Cup 2009, 2010
World Club Cup 2008
Community Shield 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013

In the early days at least, Nayani was uncomfortable with the Glazers' lack of engagement with the media.
Soon though, the view was replaced by an "admiration" for the family's natural modesty and an "understanding" of why they would want to avoid spending a significant amount of time with "demanding" journalists.

Total gross debt
After 2006 refinancing £663m
January 2009 £716.5m
June 2012 £436.5m
June 2014 £341.8m

Depicting a consistently calm and measured approach to events at the club, Nayani reveals that Joel Glazer did, however, lose his temper at his family's treatment by the media only twice.
It first happened when it was suggested Sir Bobby Charlton was about to be jettisoned - "he is Manchester United" was the reaction from Glazer - the second when a recollection made to MUTV about watching Rochester Lancers, a soccer team in New York, was questioned - "this is my childhood" he retorted.

The insight into the Glazer family's "lateral", fresh approach to sponsorship shows, from the early days, the potential they had seen. And now, with an enormous new Premier League TV deal and record shirt sponsorship and manufacturing contracts signed with Chevrolet and Adidas , the perceived threat to United has disappeared. The club's value continues to rise and, approaching a decade since their takeover was concluded, the Glazers' foresight has been rewarded.

Whether that is enough to convince those who so bitterly opposed the takeover - and claim in excess of £700m has been taken out of the club in various costs associated with it - that the family may have been right all along is another matter entirely.

 

[yinyang]

Man United close in on Holland sensation Memphis Depay
MANCHESTER United are closing in on a £25m deal to sign Holland sensation Memphis Depay

Depay's Dutch club PSV Eindhoven have confirmed the winger is expected to leave them this summer.

It is understood officials from both clubs have held talks about a deal for the 21-year-old, who is regarded as one of the brightest talents in Europe.

Depay struck a stunning free kick to help his side beat Heerenveen 4-1 on Saturday and win the Dutch title for the first time since 2008.

Now he appears destined for Old Trafford, as revealed in last month's Starsport, with PSV director Marcel Brands confirming the interest in their prize asset.

He said: "There is serious interest from big clubs for Depay. If we were to reach an agreement in the end he'll make his choice.

"Surely then it will be impossible to say no to this kind of club."

Louis van Gaal travelled to Amsterdam to watch Depay in action during Holland's 2-0 friendly win over Spain last month.

United are in pole position to go on and confirm the signing of Depay, despite interest from French big-spenders Paris Saint-Germain.


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/437425/Man-United-Holland-Memphis-Depay

 

[Gallego99]

United played like they're the home team against the blues. A remarkable performance no less. If they continue to improve on that performance, I reckon they'll do a double if not treble next season.
What we urgently need are defenders, cover for Carrick and a striker. Falcao was a huge disappointment. There was a lot of doubt about the physical aspect of his game and it showed today.

 

[yinyang]

United played like they're the home team against the blues. A remarkable performance no less.Falcao was a huge disappointment. There was a lot of doubt about the physical aspect of his game and it showed today.

On Falcao, his manager is hawking his wares to Pool too (with summer closing in) :p

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/571498/Man-Utd-Liverpool-Radamel-Falcao-Agent

 

[Gallego99]

On Falcao, his manager is hawking his wares to Pool too (with summer closing in) :p

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/571498/Man-Utd-Liverpool-Radamel-Falcao-Agent

He's the type of player that needs space but I dun think he'll get a lot of that in the premier league. United can take the risk and stick with him or look for someone else younger. With the exception of Wilson, the rest are approaching or on the wrong side of 30s.

I dun think Pool will shell out that kind of money for one player.If left to Rogers, he'll buy another 9 new faces. Despite all the criticism about Rogers, he's a good manager and the right man for the job.

Klopp is available but I hope the Glazers stick with LVG and let him finish the job. My guess is Klopp will remain in the Bundesliga.

 

[yinyang]

1st signing ahead of summer? :p

Nathaniel Clyne's £17m move to Man Utd CONFIRMED ahead of summer window

NATHANIEL CLYNE'S move from Southampton to Manchester United is a 'done deal'.

That is according to Daily Mirror journalist David McDonnell, who made the claim on the Red Devils' official TV channel.

He said on MUTV: "From what I'm told, it's a done deal."

The Saints are understood to want at least £17million for the newly-capped England international, with some reports claiming Javier Hernandez could be going the other way.

From what I'm told, it's a done deal. If the deal is to go ahead, the 24-year-old would link up with former team-mate Luke Shaw, who arrived at Old Trafford last summer for £31m.

Clyne recently revealed that he has shelved contract talks at St Mary's until the summer in order to concentrate on his football.

Nathaniel Clyne looks set for Manchester United move in the summer. He explained: "Right now I'm just focused on playing for Southampton, there are still lots of points to play for.

"Right now I am focused on my football and I will let my agent sort out the contract.

"Champions League football is everyone's dream and hopefully we can do it for Southampton."

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/570621/Nathaniel-Clyne-Man-Utd-Southampton

 

[yinyang]

Yet another addition to Dutch colony in OT? :o

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/570693/Man-Utd-AC-Milan-Nigel-De-Jong-Deal

Holland international wants sensational Manchester United summer switch.
AC MILAN star Nigel De Jong wants to join Manchester United this summer, according to reports.

The Metro claims that the Holland international is keen to link up with former manager Louis van Gaal at the end of the season despite interest from Juventus, Roma and Sevilla.

De Jong is set to become a free agent, and it is believed that United will only have to meet his £80,000-per-week wage demands in order to secure his signature.

The 30-year-old joined Milan in 2012 after spending four seasons with Manchester City, but has failed to hold down a regular spot under new boss Filippo Inzaghi in recent times.

De Jong worked closely with Van Gaal during their time together in the Dutch national set-up, and could potentially form a midfield partnership with compatriot Daley Blind at Old Trafford should the proposed deal go ahead.

 

[yinyang]

Smalling knows which side of his toast is buttered :p

Chris Smalling agrees new Man Utd contract until June 2019

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32401816

Manchester United's England defender Chris Smalling has agreed a new contract until June 2019.

The 25-year-old joined United from Fulham in 2010 and has won two Premier League titles at Old Trafford.
United boss Louis van Gaal said: "He's improved and developed immensely in the short time I have been at the club and become an integral part of the squad."

Smalling said: "This is a very exciting time, we're all determined to get back where we belong, at the highest level."

He began his career at the Millwall academy and played for non-league side Maidstone United before joining Fulham in 2008.
Having represented England at schools under-18, under-20 and under-21 levels, Smalling made his senior international debut against Bulgaria in September 2011 and has won 16 caps.

The centre-back has made 147 appearances for Manchester United since his debut against Chelsea in the Community Shield in August 2010, and his most recent goal came in the 4-2 win over rivals Manchester City this month.

Smalling added: "I am so proud to play for such a great club. We have developed as a team over the course of the season under Louis van Gaal and we are now playing as a complete unit."

 

[red amoeba]

He's the type of player that needs space but I dun think he'll get a lot of that in the premier league. United can take the risk and stick with him or look for someone else younger. With the exception of Wilson, the rest are approaching or on the wrong side of 30s.

I dun think Pool will shell out that kind of money for one player.If left to Rogers, he'll buy another 9 new faces. Despite all the criticism about Rogers, he's a good manager and the right man for the job.

Klopp is available but I hope the Glazers stick with LVG and let him finish the job. My guess is Klopp will remain in the Bundesliga.

After balotelli, rogers is digging his grave if he gets falcao. Better he gets sterling to sign an extension n get another young striker i dun give a fuck who, austin for all i care.

LVG will be at man u next season, i think they will wait n time with guardiola leaving munich. Klopp may come or real madrid may get him, never know.

 

[red amoeba]

Smalling knows which side of his toast is buttered :p

Chris Smalling agrees new Man Utd contract until June 2019

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32401816

Manchester United's England defender Chris Smalling has agreed a new contract until June 2019.

The 25-year-old joined United from Fulham in 2010 and has won two Premier League titles at Old Trafford.
United boss Louis van Gaal said: "He's improved and developed immensely in the short time I have been at the club and become an integral part of the squad."

Smalling said: "This is a very exciting time, we're all determined to get back where we belong, at the highest level."

He began his career at the Millwall academy and played for non-league side Maidstone United before joining Fulham in 2008.
Having represented England at schools under-18, under-20 and under-21 levels, Smalling made his senior international debut against Bulgaria in September 2011 and has won 16 caps.

The centre-back has made 147 appearances for Manchester United since his debut against Chelsea in the Community Shield in August 2010, and his most recent goal came in the 4-2 win over rivals Manchester City this month.

Smalling added: "I am so proud to play for such a great club. We have developed as a team over the course of the season under Louis van Gaal and we are now playing as a complete unit."

If we get hummels, high chance he will partner him un middle of defence.

As well to keep him off arsenal

 

[red amoeba]

Yet another addition to Dutch colony in OT? :o

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/570693/Man-Utd-AC-Milan-Nigel-De-Jong-Deal

Holland international wants sensational Manchester United summer switch.
AC MILAN star Nigel De Jong wants to join Manchester United this summer, according to reports.

The Metro claims that the Holland international is keen to link up with former manager Louis van Gaal at the end of the season despite interest from Juventus, Roma and Sevilla.

De Jong is set to become a free agent, and it is believed that United will only have to meet his £80,000-per-week wage demands in order to secure his signature.

The 30-year-old joined Milan in 2012 after spending four seasons with Manchester City, but has failed to hold down a regular spot under new boss Filippo Inzaghi in recent times.

De Jong worked closely with Van Gaal during their time together in the Dutch national set-up, and could potentially form a midfield partnership with compatriot Daley Blind at Old Trafford should the proposed deal go ahead.

View attachment 20745

Battle proven with BPL experience, forget strootman, get him n roy keane replacement is done. Age not on his side though but buy us two years

 

[yinyang]

Champions League: Premier League hit by Uefa seed change

The Premier League will have only one top-seeded club in next season's Champions League after Uefa introduced new regulations.
For the 2015-16 campaign, the eight top seeds will be the champions from Europe's top seven leagues and the competition's holders.

The change in rules should lead to more of Europe's major clubs meeting each other in the group stage. Previously teams were seeded by Uefa's rankings, based on results in Europe.

That meant Chelsea and Arsenal were both in pot one for the group-stage draw at the start of the season.

But, as there is no Premier League side left in this year's competition, only the English champions will be placed among the top seeds next season.

 

[Gallego99]

No one likes to be benched. De Jong is unwittingly playing his "play me or sell me" card to force the hands of Inzaghi. Players do that all the time.