11/21/24
December 07, 2005
No UEFA Cup for ManU!: For the first time in 11 years, Manchester United failed to move past the group stages of the Champions League. Finishing bottom in Group D also means the Reds won't compete for the UEFA Cup either. Are Sir Alex Ferguson's days at Old Trafford numbered?
The first sentence is supposed to be read in the voice of the "No soup for you!" guy from the American television show, Seinfeld, and I realize now how silly it was of me now. Apologies.
posted by scully at 07:39 PM on December 07, 2005
All I can say is YAY. Bad days for Man U are good days for the rest of us. I love that they finished bottom, though it must be said that Fergie was disappointingly classy in defeat, refusing to throw blame around or talk down to the press.
posted by sakana at 07:47 PM on December 07, 2005
July headline: Roy Keane makes shock Man U return as player/manager subhead: First deal is to sell Louis Saha and Alan Smith to Portsmouth for five pounds
posted by billsaysthis at 10:13 PM on December 07, 2005
How you like dem apples, Glazers! Wow. I actually feel bad for Man U. Maybe it's part of Sir Alex's wicked plan to focus on winning the EPL. Maybe it was the burrito I had for lunch.
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:24 PM on December 07, 2005
No wiser terrapin, but what the hell. My underlying animosity to Man Utd has decreased significantly since they stopped being any good. I was actually cheering them on last night: If for no other reason than it's good for English football for as many English clubs as possible to progress to the Champs League group stage. From what I've seen on tv about the Man Utd manager issue, the consensus in the media is that nothing will change before the end of the season. Having said that, two days ago they were saying that Harry Redknapp wasn't going to return to Pompey.
posted by squealy at 03:31 AM on December 08, 2005
I agree with the Louis Saha comment above, but I think Alan Smith is growing very well in Keanes' former position. Don't get me wrong, he is no Roy Keane yet, but I think he is not ManUs big problem. There were definitely problems on the wings yesterday with Ronaldo trying to do way too much and then there was that other guy, Ryan something or other. What a miserable game for Giggsy. Recently Ferdinand is looking more and more dodgy which I'm sure doesn't sit well with Sven either. The only solid players in yesterdays game (in my humble opinion) were vNistlerooy, Rooney, Smith, Scholes & VanDerSar. You aren't going to win many Champions League games with that kind of output from eleven players.
posted by Ricardo at 08:55 AM on December 08, 2005
I hate the fact that they went out of the European cup,but at the same time it is great that the extra money is not going into Glazers scummy little pockets
posted by acesrt132 at 09:52 AM on December 08, 2005
in other CL news of an eyebrow raising sort, the Glasgow Rangers advanced to the final 16 to become the first Scottish team to get that far. Kind of amazing given that the team is the in midst of a 10 game (all competitions) winless streak that has their manager hanging by a thread. he might not be heading the team come time for their next CL match.
posted by gspm at 11:37 AM on December 08, 2005
Ricardo, the reason for dealing Smith is because Keane wouldn't want his obviously better replacement on the squad while he still wants to play. And because while selling Saha is probably a no-brainer my hope was to suggest something believable yet mean and foolish. Glazers are clearly comfortable with young, highly visible head men (Gruden) so if Keane goes somewhere for the rest of the season that doesn't impact ManU, such as the rumored Real Madrid contract but not Everton or Portsmouth and probably not Celtics, this manager suggestion seems within the realm.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:38 AM on December 08, 2005
Gotcha...sorry for the confusion...I do think in the next year or two, Smith will be considered a great. I used to dislike him so much for the little bit of extra temper he always showed, but in the last 2 seasons, he has collared those emotions yet still has enough of them to play. It's too bad he won't see much (if any) World Cup time.
posted by Ricardo at 12:31 PM on December 08, 2005
The Fiver noted this morning that 'this concludes the European leg of the MU Rowdies Farewell to Fergie Tour'. heh heh.
posted by owlhouse at 07:02 PM on December 08, 2005
I am so happy about this...
posted by StarFucker at 11:54 PM on December 08, 2005
I'd imagine they're grateful for small mercies. No one gives a shit about the UEFA Cup anyway, let alone Manchester United.