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The Manchester United Thread XI

The Manchester United Thread XI




Stadium: Old Trafford
Manager: David Moyes
Assistant: Steve Round
First-team coaches: Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs (player-coach), Jimmy Lumsden
Goalkeeping coach: Chris Woods


First-team squad:

Spoiler



A look back at the previous thread:

We begin thread number 11 with a brief, nostalgic look back at the previous one which was filled with success, happiness, pessimism, sadness and finishing off with transfer deadline day ludicrously.

At the start of it, Christmas was looking more and more cheerful with the goals of Robin Van Persie putting us in a firm position to re-claim the title that was long agonisingly, heart-breakingly in May 2012. The first half of the season saw emerging performances, such as Rafael, whilst the old guard remained to provide stability and re-assurance.

The title edged closer but the European dream always remained. A re-union with our best number seven (arguably) ended in anger, frustration as Real Madrid knocked us out of the Champions League amid boos hissing around Old Trafford towards a referee, who, some say, had turned the tide towards Cristiano Ronaldo and his side, led by the “happy” Jose Mourinho.

Fergie’s frustrations on the touchline at full time betrayed the sense of devastation he felt, to the point he avoided the post-match press conference with his number two describing his boss, as “distraught”. That reaction by SAF fell into place when it was confirmed that he would retire, after 26 years, from his role as manager.

It was a “where-were-you” moment, a day and time ingrained into one’s mind where they were when the man so recognisable as the dominant and visceral face of British football walked away. Not so long after he made the decision to walk away, The Chosen One was confirmed.

Not Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola but a Glasweigan who took a team in Merseyside, punching above their weight to Premier League security. David Moyes, would be the one left to replace the Ferguson shoes, an appointment, that the majority understood and appreciated what he’d bring.

Ferguson took the praise in his stance before deflecting onto completing the job at hand, winning the title in style. Not even an FA Cup defeat to Chelsea, managed by his former nemesis Rafa Benitez was unable to take away from a glorious end.

The trophy was lifted by the departing manager and celebrations began but not before Ferguson took the microphone to ask for the fans’ backing of his replacement, David Moyes.

Ferguson strolled off into the sunset with the reverberations still being felt, not only of his retirement but the news that Wayne Rooney had asked for a transfer.

The lull of waiting for the first of July came and went. Moyes was ready to go and instantly batting away questions of Rooney.

Mourinho tried to lure the unsettled Rooney away but there was a harmonious and firm stance from United he won’t be sold. Pre-season began without want-away Wayne but the promise from the youngsters helped deflect attention. Adnan Januzaj and Fergie’s last signing, Wilfried Zaha, showed why they could be a promising sign of the future under Moyes.

We all clamoured for midfield reinforcements. Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines became prime names but a fruitless search for Fabregas ended in failure.

Suddenly, bids were “derisory and insulting”, players were “angry and confused”, a mood of discontent and uncertainty was around yet Moyes showed positive signs of handling the champions publicly.

A comfortable victory came in the Community Shield, and the season began with a sublime brace from RVP and shockingly, from Danny Welbeck whose second exquisite chip showed the ability but will he continue that further consistently into the season?

A meeting with Chelsea ended in a dour 0-0 draw that saw Rooney produce a performance that screamed of commitment and public support that even he appreciated afterwards.

Mourinho’s last ditch public attempt to get Rooney failed as the latter decided or maybe realised he would have to stay.

A first defeat of the Moyes era came at Liverpool, where rumblings of disappointment of team selection, performance and Moyes’ public comments post match began. But we all hoped, a solid transfer window would help reinvigorate mood before the international break.

It seems not so. Little is to be gained from recounting and ruminating over a poor window other than to laugh and feel the story would have made a good sit-com for someone to make as the hapless Woodward’s inexperience and to a degree Moyes’, showed.

A big haired, dominating but softly spoken Belgian arrived in the form of Everton’s Marouanne Fellaini for £27.5m. Announced by the club at 2am, Fellaini is the signing all was expected.

It’s not time for discontent or murmurings of unhappiness, the transfer window is over and we now trust David Moyes to produce results on the pitch whilst as the same time, hopefully, making decisions that represent the beginning of him starting to stamp his authority on the team and bringing much needed invention and creativity in all departments.

It’s easy to see “SAF would have done this or that” but he has left and it’s time to use the international break as a hub of optimism.

COME ON UNITED!




"When we had bad times here, the club stood by me, all my staff stood by me, the players stood by me. Your job now is to stand by your new manager!" - Sir Alex Ferguson
(edited 10 years ago)

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1
(edited 10 years ago)
In before the wums.
Reply 3
Original post by Aky786UK
I guess my learning of Roman numerals need work, Mod please change.

xD

Fail immortalised.
(edited 10 years ago)
subbed
Reply 5
IN

Sub.
Reply 8
sergio.jpg

309882_heroa.jpg


(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 10
(edited 10 years ago)
In
Ben Smith, BBC SportCOENTRAO UPDATE

"BBC Sport has learnt that Manchester United did submit their paperwork for their season-long loan deal for Fabio Coentrao before the 2300 BST deadline. But the move will only go ahead if both United and Real Madrid entered the correct details of the deal on Fifa's new transfer matching system Ben Smith, BBC SportCOENTRAO UPDATE

"BBC Sport has learnt that Manchester United did submit their paperwork for their season-long loan deal for Fabio Coentrao before the 2300 BST deadline. But the move will only go ahead if both United and Real Madrid entered the correct details of the deal on Fifa's new transfer matching system. The deadline for that system closed at midnight.". The deadline for that system closed at midnight."


Watch this space then. :holmes:
"BBC Sport has learnt that Manchester United did submit their paperwork for their season-long loan deal for Fabio Coentrao before the 2300 BST deadline. But the move will only go ahead if both United and Real Madrid entered the correct details of the deal on Fifa's new transfer matching system. The deadline for that system closed at midnight."

(edited 10 years ago)
Please put Giggs (XI) in the OP. And this...

Fellaini
Reply 18
Would wum but it's a bit boring without Tommy around to wind up :sad:

(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 19
Sir-Alex-Ferguson-GETTY-3811120.jpg

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