Football United Fanzine Issue 5 (Manchester United's premier online mag)

UNITED’S FIRST EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE FANZINE ISSUE

5 JULY 2011

FEATURING RELIVING ROMA 2007 MODRIC A 30m MAN?

MEDIA DEPENDENCIES

INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS McCLURE

FERGIE’S FINAL CHALLENGE? 1

BATTLE OF THE LEGENDS FERGUSON vs BUSBY ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

JULY 2011

In this month’s issue of Football United Fanzine

REGULAR FEATURES 04 EDITORIALS 06 HOT TOPIC 07 EDITOR COMMENT 11 FROM THE ARMCHAIR 12 BLAST FROM THE PAST 14 MICKY OWEN - PI 15 THE GREAT DEBATE 24 BORN AND RED 30 MAD MANC’S RANTS 33 WEBSITES OF THE MONTH 36 IN VIEW 38 THE FINAL WORD

SPECIAL FEATURES

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Battle of the legends

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08 BATTLE OF THE LEGENDS

Sir Matt Busby takes on Sir Alex Ferguson in the most debatable battle of the legends.

18 FAMOUS FACES

Interview with Chris McClure.

20 THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE DEPENDENCY

A look into the different agendas of the media and how dependent they are on Manchester United.

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The good, the bad and the dependency ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

26 FERGIE’S FINAL CHALLENGE?

After a fine managerial career, will Fergie’s final quest be to topple Barcelona?

28 OI WOMEN, NO!

The trials and tribulations of women’s football.

32 BRETT’S UNITED XI

Is it possible to pick your favourite United XI? Contributor Brett has given it a go.

34 IS LUKA MODRIC A £30m MAN?

United target Modric is assessed whether or not he will be worth such a hefty transfer fee.

36 Is Luka Modric a £30m man?

2011-12 FIXTURES 13 Aug – West Bromwich Albion (A) 20 Aug – Tottenham Hotspur (H) 27 Aug – Arsenal (H) 10 Sep – Bolton Wanderers (A) 17 Sep – Chelsea (H) 24 Sep – Stoke City (A) 1 Oct – Norwich City (H) 15 Oct – Liverpool (A) 22 Oct – Manchester City (H) 29 Oct – Everton (A) 5 Nov – Sunderland (H) 19 Nov – Swansea City (A) 26 Nov – Newcastle United (H) 3 Dec – Aston Villa (A) 10 Dec – Wolves (H) 17 Dec – QPR (A) 21 Dec – Fulham (A) 26 Dec – Wigan Athletic (H) 31 Dec – Blackburn Rovers (H) 2 Jan – Newcastle (A) 14 Jan – Bolton Wanderers (H) 21 Jan – Arsenal (A) 31 Jan – Stoke City (H) 4 Feb – Chelsea (A) 11 Feb – Liverpool (H) 25 Feb – Norwich City (A) 3 Mar – Tottenham Hotspur (A) 10 Mar – West Bromwich Albion (H) 17 Mar – Wolves (A) 24 Mar – Fulham (H) 31 Mar – Blackburn Rovers (A) 7 Apr – QPR (H) 9 Apr – Wigan Athletic (A) 14 Apr – Aston Villa (H) 21 Apr – Everton (H) 28 Apr – Manchester City (A) 5 May – Swansea City (H) 13 May – Sunderland (A) All dates are provisional and may change due to TV scheduling

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ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

Warming the Bench Football United Fanzine W: www.football-united-blogs.com E: editor.fub@live.co.uk

Editorials

EDITORIAL Managing Editor: Steph Doehler Deputy Editor: Rachel Turney Contributors: Liam Scott, Keith Woodford, Brett Burgers, Graham Cartwight, Tony Park, Omar Soliman, Andrew Thomas, Sam Peoples, Sufiyan Kala, Peter Dyke DESIGN Designer: Steph Doehler A SPECIAL THANKS TO Sean O’ Sullivan, Chris McClure, Chris Clarke FOR ENQUIRES Email: editor.fub@live.co.uk Facebook: FootballUnited Blogs Twitter: @footballUB

All material unless otherwise stated, is copyright to the Football United Fanzine.

The views expressed are not necessarily those of the editors. The Football United Fanzine is completely independent of Manchester United Football Club. The Football United Fanzine accepts no responsibility for services offered by advertisers.

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Is anyone else losing the will to live with the lack of football right now? Any year that ends in an odd number means that there is no European Championships or World Cup to look forward to and boy do the summer months drag as a result.

Like us, Fergie is whittling down the time until the new season starts

But as they say, ever cloud has a silver lining. We have spent a great deal of time this month looking at feedback we have received from you guys, the readers, as to how we can improve the fanzine. The main suggestion was to redesign it, so that’s exactly what we have done. You’ll see a notable change to the themes throughout this issue, whilst still maintaining a high quality level of writing. We hope you enjoy the new look Football United Fanzine and find it easier to read in the magazine format through the website.

Now, moving on to football matters. Like everyone else the only thing getting me through the lack of action has been the transfer news and gossip. Everyday Manchester United are linked to a new player and whilst many of the rumours are rubbish, it’s nice when one develops into something more and really takes the fans by surprise. Just like United did in their acquisition of Blackburn teenager, Phil Jones - few would have predicted that move last month. So whilst we sit, clock watching until our opening Premier League match against West Brom in six weeks time, let’s embrace what was become known as silly season.

United will continue to be linked to every man and his dog, and who knows, next issue we will hopefully have a good idea of our squad for the 2011/12 season.

Steph - Managing Editor Follow Steph on Twitter @StephDoehler

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

Editorials The football season is 44 days away (yes I’m counting) and I’m already thinking about who’s going to be winning what.

There’s a long way to go in the transfer window but I’m going to make a few early predictions. I believe Cesc Fabregas will still be chained to Arsenal come the start of the season and we will still have Dimitar Berbatov in our grasp. Chelsea will remain our main rivals for the title but Liverpool and City will unfortunately be closer. I also think Alex McLeish will be a hit at Villa, despite some fan’s disappointment. Sir Alex aka God has backed him so therefore its fact anyway. Not the boldest of predictions but I don't like being wrong!

As a big fan of the Olympics I’m also quite excited about the possibility of Beck’s & Co. now having a chance to play next year after the FA and the British Olympic Association ruled players from all home nations have to be available for the British team if they want to take part. It will be the first time since 1960 a men’s team has competed. Stars including Bale and Ramsey have already voiced interest. I’m sure the PL managers are just as excited as I am about them competing! I for one will be keeping an eye on how that situation develops, especially with the European Championships on that summer as well, but United have some trophies to win before all that.

I would also like to wish the England ladies team all the best for the World Cup which they are currently taking part in.

Apparently I become more patriotic when United are off season! Not too long till next season now though and what a start the fixture list has thrown up for us.

Rachel - Deputy Editor Follow Rachel on Twitter @Rachel_jj2011

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ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

HOT TOPIC World Football It’s an absolute farce, isn’t it? Allegation after allegation and the same typical, political line comes out of the abomination which is FIFA headquarters- our ethics committee will look at it. That’s like asking a politician to review the expenses issue. If you’re not outside of FIFA- you’re as guilty as the worst man inside it is. And for me, the worst man at FIFA, is the man who allows everyone to stick their nose in the trough, as long as he can do so too- Joseph Blatter.

World football has it improved during his time at the top? No… it’s just become a more profitable sport than it ever was, utilising sponsorship and advertising, and selling rights to big brands to solely advertise during World Cups. Football is getting richer.

But it is? Well the people at the top are but I don’t see any football schemes running locally, or at national level, run by FIFA? Where is all that profit going? One place for sure it isn’t going, that’s goal line technology and replay system development.

Just thinking about it, how much did it cost the country to place our bid for the 2018 World Cup? And it was brought by a country that you’re going to need to wear a space suit in, in order to play as it’s so bloody hot. There was talk that you would have to move the World Cup to coincide with winter, in order for players to not die on the pitch, at much inconvenience to the leagues and clubs that pay the players wages. Let’s be honest, the England 2018 bid was much stronger than that of it’s rivals, and didn’t get it? The FIFA executive committee voted for a really cash rich country to host it? No really? Wonder what made them decide that?

or not at all, and the FIFA execs are in fighting because they’re all telling each other’s tales.

Only one man can be responsible for such a ridiculous turn of events - Sepp.

Next time FIFA elects a president I think the readers of FU Fanzine should all protest for the right to fair leadership. That will provide growth in the game, not just financially, but in terms of participation, at all levels and for all ages. A leadership, that will ensure the funds generated through sponsorship and revenue are placed not with the execs but with the people who make football the success it is. The fans. Those that love the game, not for it’s money, but just for the love of the game and the qualities it can develop in people, when led properly. Passion, togetherness, loyalty, discipline.

In short guys and girls, if you want world football to be run the way it should be - vote for me!

Let’s face it, couldn’t cock it up any more than Sepp, could I?

By Liam Scott

So Football is getting richer, the funds given to grass roots levels appear to be very inconspicuously spent,

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ISSUE ISSUE 5, JULY 4, JUNE 2011 2011

EDITOR COMMENT THE COST OF A MANAGER As Chelsea pay an unprecedented fee for Andre Villas-Boas, Rachel addresses the crazy fees clubs are now paying for a manager.

The summer transfer window is upon us once more but all the talk seems to be about the managers. They are the first to complain when a player ignores their contract and pushes through a move but now they are at it themselves.

Alex McLeish is arguably the biggest story, following his move from Birmingham to bitter rivals Villa after a farewell email. The Blues are now seeking a reported £5.4m from Villa to cover the remaining two years of the broken contract. To top the situation off, Villa fans don’t even seem to want him.

It has also transpired that

Chelsea have paid Porto £13.25m for Andre Villas-Boas to take ownership of the poisoned chalice. A little more money towards buying the Champions League. £13.25m for a manager unproven in the Premier League and who will be one of the youngest men to ever manage in our top league.

A bargain compared to Torres though! I wonder how much Chelsea will pay to get rid of their latest manager next summer if they don‘t win the Champions League, apparently £40m or so compensation to sack their previous managers is not enough. Wouldn’t it just have been easier for Abramovich to buy Barcelona?

AGREE OR DISAGREE? We want to know what you think about anything you read in the magazine. You can email: editor.fub@live.co.uk or tweet us @footballUB

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Will our international side ever prevail?

Maybe we were a little too expectant of our young lads when they departed for the Under-21 tournament last month, after all they must all be so tired after a tough season...oh, hold on, so are all the other competitors. I live in the same world as many United fans, it’s club then country as far as I’m concerned, but nevertheless it is slightly embarrassing watching our national sides sometimes. The main squad failed to light up a lacklustre Wembley following a 2-2 draw with Switzerland, whilst our young guns (some of which will be taking the mantle at the next World Cup) made an early exit from the European Championships. Why is this? It’s quite simple really. We aren't very good and as a nation we should probably stop kidding ourselves that we are better than we actually are. Call me pessimistic but I don't think England will win anything in my lifetime...and I’m only 25!

Steph

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

Sir Matt Busby Busby took over United in 1945, but the history of our club could have been very different if he had accepted the job of assistant coach at Liverpool instead, a team he had spent a good part of his playing career with. They were however unwilling to give him full control over the team and their loss turned out to be very much our gain. He insisted United let him be directly involved with the training, the picking of the team on match days and deciding who would be brought and sold by the club.

This was not common practice at the time but Busby was determined to make this team very much his own. He knew his own mind, he knew how he could do the best job possible and he wasn’t prepared to compromise what he felt was needed in order to have success. He showed great faith in his youth players which ultimately of course led to the teams affectionate nickname of the Busby Babes.

Busby’s achievements at the club cannot be understated. He was a man with little managerial experience who led the team to victory in the FA Cup in 1948 and then to their first league title in 41 years in 1952. He then introduced United to the magic of the European Cup in 1957, despite objections from The Football League. The Munich air disaster that occurred the following season would not only rob Sir Matt of eight of his wonderful players but also take its toll on his own health, with him twice receiving the last rites. No one could have blamed him if he had turned his back on football altogether but that just wasn’t in his nature. His desire for United to be successful, particularly in Europe, if anything was even

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BAT OF LEGE Sir Matt Busby vs

Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby are to any United fan. They epitomise everyth made our great club what is today. Each difficult circumstanc stronger. It was the one trophy the club had never won and what a tribute winning it would be to those who had lost their lives.

He faced the difficult task of building a new team and making the side great once again. Adding the likes of George Best and Denis Law to Munich survivors Harry Gregg, Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes meant that Busby had assembled another formidable side in the face of adversity.

The team won the FA Cup in 1963, their first trophy since the Munich air disaster and added the Division One title in 1965 and 1967.

Busby’s biggest dream became reality when United won their first ever European Cup in 1968, 10 years on from Munich. He had not only survived the most devastating day in the history of Manchester United football club, but he had turned the fate of the club around and made them the very best. A fitting tribute indeed

to all those who lost their lives in the disaster. Winning a European Cup is never easy but doing it in the circumstances that Busby did is a feat that may never be repeated. It speaks volumes of the determination and bravery of the man and the team spirit he developed at the club.

We will never know how much more could have been achieved by the Busby Babes if disaster had not struck. A football team was ripped apart but Busby and others made it great once more.

The tragedy shaped the way our football club is run even today.

Busby was manager of the club for 24 years before retiring. It has been 17 years since he sadly passed away. He will however always live on in memories of all United fans for what he did.

Bobby Charlton himself said “Matt Busby’s presence will always be at Manchester United. He is Manchester United.”

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

biggest moments in the history of the club. Some would have crumbled under the pressure but not Sir Alex. It has been said that Ferguson would have been sacked if he hadn’t beaten Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup that season, a trophy they went on to win. His first major trophy had arrived and it would prove to be a catalyst of so much more.

TTLE THE ENDS Sir Alex Ferguson

e two men whose names mean everything hing Manchester United is about and have h has brought success to the club, often in ces, but who is better?

Sir Alex Ferguson It has been well documented, never more so than right now, that Fergie set himself one goal when he took over at United in 1986, to knock rivals Liverpool off their perch. At that time United had won just 7 titles in comparison to Liverpool’s 18.

Now, 25 years on, as we all know, he has taken United passed Liverpool onto 19.

Many may have laughed at his huge ambitions for the club who hadn’t won the league in 26 years, but Fergie was determined. He thrived on attempting to achieve what many deemed impossible. He had come to United with a good reputation having led Aberdeen to numerous pieces of silverware, including the Scottish league which hadn’t been won by anyone but Celtic or Rangers in 15 years.

In similar fashion to Busby he

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arrived at United wanting to make changes. He was concerned about the fitness of the players and the drinking culture amongst many of the team. The new manager worked hard to instil new discipline and showed that drinking wouldn’t be tolerated.

His first season in charge went well with the team finishing 11th having been second from bottom when he arrived. They then finished second the following season behind arch rivals Liverpool. Pressure however grew on Ferguson the following season after the club dropped back down to 11th in the final league standings. In the 1989-90 season journalists and supporters began to call for Fergie to be sacked with banners declaring “Three years of excuses and its still crap. Ta ra Fergie.” It was a make or break moment in Fergie’s career at United and what would turn out to be one of the

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Ferguson had to wait until the 1992-1993 season to win his first league title with the club, their first in 26 years. He had achieved what only Sir Matt Busby and Ernest Magnall had done before him. What Fergie has achieved since then is almost indescribable. He has rebuilt team after team and had success after success. 1999 is up there with the biggest years in the history of Manchester United. An historic treble that will probably not ever be repeated and certainly not with the same style and never say die attitude. Ferguson had made United the greatest team in Europe once more, 31 years on from their previous success. This triumph was of course repeated in 2008, fittingly 50 years on from the Munich air disaster. The club now has more League titles and FA Cup wins than any other English side and only Liverpool have more European Cup successes. With United reaching their third European Cup final in four seasons this year, who would bet against Ferguson overtaking that record as well?

FOR THE VERDICT, TURN THE PAGE

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

Conclusion Choosing between Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson is an almost impossible task. Most managers could probably take over a successful club and continue to have success but great managers take a club who are struggling and make it successful. Both men took over a United side that hadn’t won the league in many years and changed this pattern. They faced massive adversity but fought through this to bring greatness to the club.

They both built team after team, while never losing that fighting team spirit and attacking intent.

Two very determined men who never gave up when things got hard. Two very different men who wanted the same thing, success for Manchester United.

Busby added a real sense of magic to the club and Fergie took the baton from him and ran with it. Fergie often attributes his success to the ethos which Busby built and sought guidance from the great man before his death.

He once said, similarly to Bobby Charlton, “I think of Sir Matt being here forever. His time here has been frozen into the memory bank. He had to rebuild the team after Munich. There was so much emotion involved in that”. Sir Matt has been deemed the original master of Manchester United with Sir Alex very much the current master. It has been said that Fergie was the first United manager to embrace rather than fear Busby’s towering presence at Old Trafford.

Ferguson, for me, is the greatest manager of all time. I am however a little biased to say the least. Fergie took over United in the year I was born so he is all I have ever known at United. I

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have grown up with him at the helm and the thought of anyone else managing my team terrifies me. I have witnessed first hand him rebuild new teams and watched huge stars come and go while he remains constant. I don’t believe any manager will ever achieve as much success as he has had and he hasn’t finished yet. I will however say that I don’t think Sir Alex could have achieved what he has without the influence of Sir Matt. What he did at the club was unique and inspirational given the circumstances. He started the youth policy and never say die football we still see from our team today. For that I salute them both and pray that one day, when Sir Alex unfortunately does finally have to leave, a new master of Manchester United will emerge and follow their formidable legacy.

Busby’s United Record Managed United from: 1/10/1945 - 4/6/1969 29/12/1970 - 08/06/1971 First Division titles (5) FA Cup (2) Charity Shield (5) European Cup (1) Total games in charge: 1141 Wins: 576 Draws: 266 Losses: 299 Win %: 50.48%

Ferguson’s United Record Managed United from: 6/11/1986 - present First Division titles (12) FA Cup (5) League Cup (4) Charity/Community Shield (9) European Cup (2) Cup Winners Cup (1) Super Cup (1) Intercontinental Cup (1) FIFA World Club Cup (1) Champions League Manager of the Year (1) Premier League Manager of the Year (9) Total games in charge: 1392 Wins: 824 Draws: 322 Losses: 246 Win %: 59.20%

By Rachel @Rachel_jj2011

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

FROM THE ARMCHAIR

By Graham Cartwright At a previous job I would often get stick from my boss about me being a United fan and not going to the games. The banter would always centre around the fact that he believed it was wrong of me to follow a team from Manchester when I lived in the Midlands. I should support a local team he would say. Now, I could have accepted this, if he wasn’t a Villa fan who didn’t go to any home games despite living in the middle of Birmingham. To me that was worse... surely it was a lot easier for him to get to Villa Park than it was for me to get to Old Trafford.

But, I’d always joke and laugh it off. “I’ve got an armchair, that’s all I need to watch United!” would be my stock response.

One Monday morning the ribbing started after a rare and heavy United defeat at the weekend. I fixed my smile and gave as good as I got until he said “Well, United don’t have any real fans anyway.

You’re all plastic Mancs, in it for the glory!” It really angered me, I was livid inside, and if I’m honest I was far from quick enough with any kind of response. I was beaten, the other members of the team totalled at least a dozen and all were laughing. My silence was as good as admitting that I agreed. I’d lost. But, I was determined that I would have an answer the next time I was singled out like that.

Over the next few weeks I formulated a plan. I started talking to the other guys in the company (which totalled over 40) about their teams, I took a great deal of time to find out why they followed whoever they supported, when they last went to a game and how often they actually watched their team on the TV. After a while it became clear to me that I was no different to most of the others. Apart from a couple of Wolves season ticket holders and a die-hard Baggies fan, most were armchair supporters. Most, followed their team because of their

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Dad or Grandad, and most, like me, watched their team only when they were on TV. I didn’t have to wait long until the “plastic Mancs” insult reared its head again, but this time I was ready... deep breath.

I explained, I was born a United fan. That in the summer of 1974 my Dad welcomed me into the world and from that moment on brought me up to love United. I went on, that I didn’t choose United, it was all I’d ever known. So, I’m not a glory hunter.

That argument wouldn’t stick either. I referenced the other members of the studio, Liverpool and Leeds fans who didn’t go to their games. I argued I was no more “plastic” than any fan who can’t get to the matches as often as they’d like.

I was grown up, calm and collected.

The response? My boss said, “F***ing hell, I don’t know about United. You’re so miserable, you should be a Baggies fan!” – proving that football rivalry is often about exploiting a stereotype and not about the real people.

I am a Red, through and through. I don’t live in Manchester and I don’t go to as many games as I’d like – doesn’t mean I don’t love the club as much as the next. I’m quite philosophical about the fact that getting to the games regularly is just beyond me at the moment. Who knows, a little lottery win and my dream of a season ticket might just come true.

Never, especially since that day, have I ever been ashamed to be an armchair fan...

@graysterisared

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

BLAST FROM THE PAST The Italian (hospital) Job

By Keith Woodford Roma vs Manchester United 4th April 2007 Champions League Quarter-Final I met my mates at Stanstead Airport on the Tuesday morning for a flight to Milan, where we would complete our journey to Rome. We met at 8am for our 10am. After a hearty breakfast and a couple of pints we boarded our flight to Milan. We arrived at Milan airport around midday and found our way to the rail station for our train to Rome. We decided a meal and a couple of drinks in the restaurant car would set us up nicely for a night out. The couple turned into a few and we duly arrived in Rome a little the worse for wear.

At the station in Rome we had to transfer onto the local trains for the journey to our hotel. It was here that I had the misfortune to slip on the wet platform as I boarded the train to the hotel. A loud cracking sound and a searing pain went through my left leg. I fell to the platform and ended wedged in the gap between the train and the platform.

I was in extreme pain and, so I was told later, screaming quite loudly.

As it was around 6pm, Rome station was extremely busy and

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quite a large crowd gathered around. I can remember the sound of sirens approaching and thinking if I would still make the match. A fire crew freed me from the gap and the ambulance staff began treating me. With my leg in a splint and pain relief administered I was taken to hospital. Xrays showed a badly broken shin bone.

The doctor explained that it would need a metal pin to hold it in place. I could either have an operation there or he could put it in plaster and the operation could be done when I returned home. Being considerably under the influence of drink and morphine I opted for the second choice thinking that I would be able to go to the game. I was put in a plaster which went from my foot to my hip. With a bit of a struggle I returned to the hotel with my mate who had gone to the hospital with me. At the hotel he acquired a wheelchair and we met up with the rest who had bynow been out and returned to the hotel. In the hotel bar a piano player was entertaining the drinkers. There were quite a few Italians in evening wear and us, a

rather pissed and weary group of United fans. One of my mates started taking exception to the piano player if he did not play his requests. Every time he played anything else my friend would respond by throwing his shoes at him!

By 4am we decided it was time to retire. But not before my mates decided to take me on a hotel tour in the wheelchair and decided it would be funny to abandon me in a corridor, knocking loudly on all the doors.

After a stern warning from hotel security we settled down and with six of us in the room meant there were bodies everywhere. I managed a couple of hours sleep but woke up in extreme pain. By now the painkillers had worn off and I realised that rather than be going to the match I would be going back to the hospital. They agreed to take me back in and I was operated on that afternoon.

I woke up on a ward about 7pm and there was a TV showing the game. There were two Roma fans in the ward with me, both with broken legs after a scooter accident the previous day. Any conversation was impossible as

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none of us could speak anything but our own language. The match started but I remember very little of the game itself.

Around half time United supporters came under attack from the Italian police and my lasting memory is one of my mates being hit with a police baton. He actually suffered quite bad head wounds and was himself taken to hospital.

I was exhausted from the exertions of the last two days and fell into a deep sleep. I woke up on Thursday morning and began to contemplate my dilemma. By midday I realised that my friends must have by now departed Rome for their journey home. All I had on me was my passport, wallet and mobile which by this time was dead. By now the hospital were wanting my insurance details to initiate payment. I had to tell them that my mates had taken the paperwork and were now on their journey home and that I would fax them the details when I got back. In all truth I didn’t have insurance or the EU

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exemption but that was not the biggest of my worries. Before I could travel I had to book a flight, get a fit to fly document and, having done that, get myself to the airport. Luckily one of the physios spoke fluent English and acted as interpreter for me. I got my fit to fly pass and was able to book a flight for the Friday. I had been told by BA that I would have to book three seats due to their health and safety rules.

However I later rang back and books just the one as I couldn’t afford all three, I simply forgot to tell them my leg situation. On Friday morning I booked a cab to the airport. The driver was about 70 and spoke no English. The physio was there to tell him where I wanted to go and we set off for the airport. I had to find the BA check-in which, being unable to walk and not being able to converse with the cab driver, made it rather difficult.

He found a luggage trolley and duly started pushing me around on it while looking for the checkin. We eventually found it and he left me in the hands of the BA

check-in staff. Fortunately the flight was not fully booked and with a bit of rearrangement they allocated me three seats together, two being compliments of BA. After an uneventful flight I was able to get myself to hospital in London where I spent a few days before I could be sent home. I managed to drag myself to the home leg and in revenge for a 2-1 defeat and atrocious treatment of United fans Roma were humiliated 71 in one of our greatest European displays. But my nightmare in Rome was something that I will never forget My mates stayed in the same hotel a few months later on our next encounter with Rome and the staff enquired regarding my health, we had definitely made an impression on the hotel. It took me a few months to get over but it wasn’t too long before I was able to continue my adventures abroad following United.

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MICKY OWEN: PI A young Micky escaped the evil clutches of Liverpool’s gang of petty criminals and thugs just before they started dropping the soap in the showers. Traumatised by his experience he spent the next few years in the underbelly of the gambling cartels of Spain and the North-East of England.

Sir Alex Ferguson stepped in offering Micky the opportunity to sharpen his investigative tools without having football as a distraction.

It was just your typical Tuesday. Carro and Stevie G had popped round for a natter and a cup of tea (MUGS) on their way to pick up their Giros. We caught up on a few things. Which British professional boxer they were most fond of? “Haye, Haye, Haye”. What was their favourite Little Richard B-side pre 1960? “Hey, Hey, Hey”. Which literary festival they would be attending this year? “Hay, Hay, Hay”. Which of the catchphrases used by animated character Fat Albert, in Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids did they prefer? “Hey, Hey, Hey”. Which international human resource consultancy group were they most impressed with? “Hay, Hay, Hay”. I also asked them what I should feed my horses but they didn’t have a clue. I waved goodbye to them…C U Next Tuesday Scousers.

As I turned to my phone and began to concoct one of the #greatesttweets I’d ever posted about my endlessly exciting life, it rang. Incoming: SAF! “Hello?” “Hold the receiver closer to my face, Mike,” I heard him bellow. “Sorry?” I replied. “Oh Micky, I was talking to Phelan…just pass it here…Have you ironed my y-fronts yet?

No? Well hurry along…Sorry Micky…I’ve got something to tell you…” SAF proceeded to tell me about the forthcoming reassessment, rebuilding and clear out at the club. Of course I wasn’t surprised when names such as Gibbo, Wes and PIG were mentioned...But STOP THE PRESS!!! SAF then reeled off my name! Doesn’t he know who I am? Scottish bastard! This was an outrage!

A couple of hours later my wife convinced me after a bowl of my favourite Angel Delight, that I should pick up the phone and tell SAF I didn’t really want him to stick his bagpipes up his arse. She explained he probably didn’t even own any bagpipes. What did she know? It

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turns out this was a sensible move as SAF was willing to give me a chance to extend my contract by a year. In return I had to complete my toughest task to date…”Bring me the secret to Barcelona’s success!” This was not the only surprise he had in store for me. He also informed me that I wasn’t, as presumed, the only agent working for the club. This other agent had been set the same task and whichever of us returned with the secret would get the contract. The other, his P45. Something would have to be done and fast.

After a few days spent building a fire from dead ponies in the back garden I attempted to contact Gary Crisps (Agent Salt and Linekar) using smoke signals. As my Stepdad Alan Shearer had had him tied up in the basement without informing me, this had been a huge waste of time. It could have proved costly! I asked Crisps if he had any information on ‘the secret’ and its possible hiding place but he just banged on for ages about how great they were in possession and harped on for donkey’s years about ‘total football’ and all that. I had no option but to bring in the Walkers. He cracked. With every thin potato chip that passed his lips he spilled more beans. I made haste to the Camp Nou aboard my all terrain wheelchair that Hargo had finally returned. As the season was over Sir Alex had no need to assure the press that there was nothing suspicious concerning my whereabouts by releasing any pre-prepared statements but ironically I had felt a twitch in my groin earlier that day when stroking one of the mares. Yeeeehaaaa!

The journey would ordinarily take up to three weeks, but fortunately the breaks on my wheelchair had been cut, so it took only two. The breaks had been cut? Hmmmm…no…No! NO! It

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can’t be…Hargo! “Yes Micky, It’s me Owen Hargreaves. I hope you don’t mind me reading your inner monologue? You are correct. What’s more I have already collected ‘the secret’ and am on my way back to OT to deliver it to SAF.” “Whhhaa!” I couldn’t believe it. “How did you…?” “I’m not going to tell you my methods Micky. But the thing about where ‘the secret’ was kept is all true and I’d prefer we left it there.” “It’s really kept in the tip of Messi’s penis?” “Yes Micky and it was kept in Ronaldinho’s before him and Figo’s before that, right back to Cruyff and beyond.” “How did you…?” “Ssssh!!” “But…” “I said shut it Micky!!”

“Well let’s have a look then” I asked excitedly.

“Here,” he said passing it to me, “But it’s tiny, it looked so big in the picture, Crisps showed me, of it in situ in Messi’s penis?!” “Yep! It turns out Messi isn’t so perfect in every department after all!” We heartily laughed and made our way home.

Later, as I walked away from OT, a single red tear rolled down my cheek. I turned and looked back at Hargo one final time. I raised my hand to gesture a final solemn salute. As I did this I reached to my neck and began to scratch. The PVC began to come away. Forcing the hole wider, the mask split open. My true identity was revealed...I’m Owen Hargreaves! Hargo looked at himself aghast. He reached to his neck and mirroring my actions burst open his own disguise to reveal…He was Micky Owen. We looked to the sky and shouted in unison, “WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!” Eric popped out from behind a cloud.

“When the author runs out of ideas or has a writer’s block a highly improbable twist is sometimes the only… (sorry don’t know where the rest of what Eric said went?).

I’m arranging it with Steph and Rachel to have a small skip put outside each and every one of your homes, so you can dispose of your laptops and this very sensitive information safely. It will be arriving around 4pm tomorrow. If you could put your wheelie-bin in the parking space outside so we can get it nice and close that would be champion. Thank you.

I will not rest until the integrity of Manchester United is upheld. Keep ‘em peeled!

THE GREAT DEBATE

With the Class of 1992 coming to the end of their careers, will we ever see another crop of youngsters emulate them?

By Brett Burgers @HoldAndGive Micky Owen image courtesy of www.deemointernational.com

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YES

By Tony Park @MrMujac

As a youth historian, one thing that I have learned is that the past is a good indicator of the future. I find the question above quite strange because it appears that some people only think football started in 1992.

So I give the same answer I always give, why not?

Most football clubs they have a reputation for playing in a certain way. That reputation has been built over many decades and is not easily diluted.

Tradition, culture and even fan expectation create the DNA of a football club.

Manchester United’s DNA encompasses three things: 1. Playing fast, expansive football 2. Having a pioneering spirit and ethos 3. Giving youth a chance When you have this built into your mentality you can’t think of any other way.

In 1932 Manchester United entered a team in the Manchester League for the first time. It was hoped that the ‘A’ team would be the breeding ground of local youngsters that would one day be ready for the first team. In 1938, the club created the Manchester United Junior Athletic Club in close association with local schools and youth clubs and entered a team in the Chorlton League. The MUJAC’s were made up of fourteen and fifteen year-old schoolboys who would one day realise James Gibson’s dream of having a first team solely made up of Manchester United juniors.

The opinion of the day was that Gibson was mad. It just wasn’t the done thing. By the time Matt Busby arrived in 1945, he inherited what was the fruit of Manchester United’s first ever youth policy. All he needed to do was nurture his crop and reap the rewards.

Players such as Johnny Aston, Joe Walton, Henry Cockburn, Charlie Mitten, Stan Pearson, Johnny Anderson, Johnny Morris and Jack Crompton had either come through the junior ranks or via United’s nursery club Goslings.

Manchester United’s first ever youth team finished runner’s up in the league three times in row after WWII and won the FA Cup in 1948. Behind the scenes

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Matt Busby and particularly Jimmy Murphy had created a scouting network unrivalled anywhere in Britain and slowly schoolboys across the country were joining the Old Trafford ranks. Since that time our we have had the Busby Babes, the European Cup side, the Whiteside and Hughes team of 1981 and, of course, the Class of 1992.

Moving on to today’s squad we had Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson pick up league and cup honours while in May, Manchester United won the FA Youth Cup for a record tenth time with a victory over Sheffield United.

Talented kids such as Tunnicliffe, Keane, Pogba, Thorpe, Cole and the imperious Ravel Morrison may yet prove to be the clubs seventh youth team of note.

With the likes of Welbeck, Cleverley and King added to those names only time will tell.

Ferguson has probably created five great teams with his first being the only one that lacked real youth inclusion. Since then a steady stream of youngsters have been given their opportunities but success breeds success and the expectations are now so much higher.

This leads us back to the original question as people are once again saying we will never get another crop of youngsters as good as those in the early 1990’s.

“We can’t compete with Barcelona.”

“The coaching in England is not good enough.”

Yet we always find ways of adapting to current constraints and stay true to our culture and beliefs. The set -up at Carrington is one of the best in the world as is the coaching. With scouts now employed across the world we are now introducing the youth of Europe into our set-up too. As long as we have manager’s like Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson willing to give kids a chance, and supporters willing to be patient, then the Class of 1992 will never be a one-off. It will be just the next evolution of a culture that started with James Gibson back in 1931. Why shouldn’t it be? History doesn’t stop!

Gary Neville was once asked if we will ever see so many kids come through the system again. His response? “I don’t know! But if it does happen again it will only happen at this club!”

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NO

By Brett Burgers @HoldAndGiv

I feel I must preface my stance with a note to say that of course I would very much welcome an influx of youth to the first team, who wouldn’t right? To utter anything to the contrary flies in the face of our club’s unique history. I can only hope Steph and Rachel haven’t, as I imagine, plonked a big ‘NO!’ beside my argument (editor’s note, sorry Brett!)...I really do like kids, I just couldn’t eat a whole one (Sorry, that was sponsored by the Institute of Dad Jokes).

Since the class of ’92 so impudently gate crashed the grown ups party to their obvious incredulity, the sport has evolved into a very different elephant. Needless to say, this is in part due to the world that exists outside of our football sphere going through some almighty dramatic changes itself.

If you were born post 1980 you are now widely acknowledged as a Digital Native. You are immersed within and at one with the technology that shapes our social and cultural environment. It’s likely some say that you have no soul. You are no longer a face in the crowd but an avatar on A N Other’s Twitter timeline.

You express yourself through a series of emoticons and abbreviations LOL #justsaying. I however didn’t intend to be drawn in to such derogatory tongue-incheek defamation of our yoof and return to my point.

The distractions presented to the current crop would only have been glimpsed in the dystopian nightmares of a young Becks or Scholesy.

Neville Neville would no doubt have spent quite a bit of time shouting his rambunctious sons in for their tea as they played footy, jumpers for goalposts, in the streets. Whereas today the equivalent scene may find him shouting upstairs to stop his offspring cracking a carjacked OAP over the head in the streets of L.A.

The immediacy of our culture ensures the young and impressionable habits and hobbies have evolved beyond kicking a ball about in the park after downing a bottle of blue pop and being sick in the hedge bottom.

The values instilled from a more ‘old fashioned’ upbringing are no longer that easy to impart. How can we expect that football is going to be coursing through the veins of today’s ‘kids’ like it did for the previous aforementioned ‘Class of 92’? I personally don’t think we can.

I will tip toe around the increasingly clichéd territory of the ‘trappings of fame’. I’d also like to acknowledge with a passing nod that the Class of ’92 did not take on the world by themselves, they had leaders of the like the game can simply never replicate: Eric and Keano.

If it were to have a chance, it would have to happen sooner rather than later. I feel when SAF retires the traditions our club has clasped close to its chest and held dear with regards to the nurturing of the prospective talent will become more difficult to sustain as the lust for instant gratification becomes king. Someone’s job will no doubt depend on it.

Far from being a naysayer I would like to conclude as I opened, I can’t think of anything more satisfying than seeing a product of our youth system (preferably, a local lad) progress and break through into the first XI. I just believe that for a throng of them to do so, in the manner of the Class of ’92, would be less likely than it ever has. The number of ‘what if’s’ that such an occurrence usually struggles against now has to compete with societal change.

I would love nothing more than to be proved absolutely wrong as the waffling gobshite that I am.

Have you heard the one about a group of United fans discussing all issues RED? No? Well you’ve not heard the Football United Podcast then? Get over to www.football-united-blogs.com/podcast to listen or you can download them for free from iTunes by searching for Football United Blogs.

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ISSUE ISSUE5,4,JULY JUNE2011 2011

FAMOUS FACES You would be forgiven for not recognising the name Chris McClure within the music world. But if you look at the picture to the right, I bet you can name that album. Chris adorns the famous front cover of the Arctic Money’s debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. Omar Soliman, a regular writer for the FUB website has spoken to Chris about United, music and supporting Sheffield Wednesday.

Firstly Chris, what persuaded you to take an interest in United?

As a Sheffield Wednesday fan I always looked forward to when United came to Hillsborough. It was the first fixture you looked for apart from Sheffield United.

The games against Wednesday always seemed to be cracking matches with lots of goals, weirdly Wednesday used to win often. Two memories come to mind; Boxing Day 1993, Wednesday were 3-0 up at half time but United came at us second half and equalised in the last minute through Cantona. Also United beating Wednesday in the 1994 League Cup semi-final. At half time the United fans just took over Hillsborough and were partying in the stands, these early memories always stick in my mind.

Many United fans sorely miss the trips to Hillsborough too but you've gone in the opposite direction for university, how have you found Manchester as a city?

I buzzed off it as my two main

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interests are football and music.

Manchester has ruled those two areas over different periods of my life. My time in Manchester was a mad one. The second year I was at university especially, my brother’s (older brother Jon McClure) band Reverend and The Makers were having top ten hits and my face was on the fastest selling album in history (Arctic Monkeys’ debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not) and I had a student loan to utilise so you can imagine the laugh I was having.

Manchester served me well in those years and I met some proper Mancs who will remain friends for life.

It’s indeed a familiar face now, do you get spotted at matches?

(Laughs) Maybe if I would have gone in 2006. We need to find out which United players are Arctic Monkeys fans and sort some freebies if possible. I've got faith in Darren Fletcher liking rock music, what do you reckon?

Rooney likes The Stereophonics though, not having that whatsoever, good job he's a legend on

the pitch eh?

I've heard Rio Ferdinand gets the final say with his hip-hop tunes on though. Do you get to go to the match often?

I primarily go to watch Wednesday when I can to be honest but of course if a United ticket comes along I’m having it. I caught the Arsenal home game and Fulham, both pretty standard wins. I've never seen a Champions League game so that is the next one on my hit-list.

I'm sure that can be arranged, what did you make of this season?

It's been a weird one. People are saying that this team isn't as good as in the past but everything’s relative you know. To sell Tevez and Ronaldo then two years later still win the league and be in the Champions League final, who can argue? I think it's an all round better squad if I'm honest and not forgetting I think the lower placed teams in the Premiership have greatly improved like Spurs and City etc. I think this title means so much to

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Fergie but I do think he needs a couple of signings in the summer though. Sneijder maybe or even Kaka? One thing is for sure, the boy Hernandez is a revelation.

Out of the United teams you've seen, who would be in your favourite XI? Off the top of my head; Peter Schmeichel, Gary Neville, Patrice Evra, Jaap Stam, Nemanja Vidic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Can't argue with that team, I’ve seen footage of you, your brother as well as a couple of Arctic Monkeys get together for a kickabout, can you play to a decent standard?

I wasn't bad, my best position was centre back but I preferred playing up top, I just found it more fun winding defenders up!

I went to a school of coaching called Brazilian Soccer School.

They played a game called Futbol de Salao, which is played with a small weightless ball in a very short space. It encourages reactions, first touch, skills and team work. My game improved tenfold, it seemed so easy when playing 11 a side. Football from grass roots upwards needs an upheaval in this country, I hate the way kids seem to know their

position by age 12, there’s a reason that Brazil and now Spain produce world class players, we have to go the same way.

Were you ever tempted to go professional into football, either playing or as your passionate philosophy suggests, coaching?

Nah, I got too into music and the lifestyle that goes with it. I could have topped up my weekly wage maybe playing semi pro but I was too busy following bands round the country.

You're currently lead singer in a band, The Violet May, how's that going?

Yeah, I love it. Being a lead singer was always a temptation but when I heard our guitarists demos I couldn't resist, it felt right. I think we have ruffled feathers in Sheffield a little; people expect bands from Sheffield to be modest, unassuming and keep their head down. We are the complete opposite to be honest; we make loud, aggressive guitar music which we think has been lacking in the last few years. We are playing at Night and Day on 16th July for all the Manchester heads.

You can follow Omar on Twitter @Wiz52 and Chris @Chris McClure86

Tweets From The Terrace Which United signing have you been most excited about? @andy27p: I remember yelling out loud in joy when I read on teletext (remember that?!) we had signed Andy Cole @Jason_OC: Maybe Veron because I thought he was a super player and was so disappointed when it didn't happen for him or us. @Mrgreen1066: Veron - seemed astonishing at the time @Wiz52: Hargreaves, sob :( @Johntan101: I’d say Rooney @manharsa: Good question!!! To be honest no one. All had potential but needed development. Future stars really, eg: Ronaldo

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THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE DEPENDENCY Andrew Thomas discusses the different agendas of our great media.

The media is biased, and everybody knows it.

Manchester United fans know it. So do Liverpool fans, Arsenal fans, Tottenham fans, and all the rest. Fans of those teams at the bottom of the Premier League know it’s biased toward those at the top; those who support Championship teams know that they all only care about the Premier League; those further down are so sick of the entire of non-league consisting of nothing but AFC Wimbledon-plus-FC United-plus-Crawley Town that they only read the local paper. And grumble a lot.

There are two types of bias there, of course: bias of treatment and bias of coverage. Not even the most one-eyed Manchester United fan could claim that the club are under-reported in general; the suspicion, for those that suspect it, is that the club are unfairly reported. That the achievements of the club are overlooked in favour of less flattering stories; that the ‘good’ is elided in preference to the ‘bad’. The problem, of course, is that everyone thinks the media are biased in precisely the opposite direction to their own lookout. Brian Phillips, editor of The Run of Play, summed this up perfectly when he described the response to an article he wrote for Slate about Glasgow’s Old Firm.

From both sets of fans came the same plea: “If you’ll simply look at the evidence…”

While individual journalists are people, and so have personal biases, it is obvious that the media as a whole can’t be biased against everyone; that’s not bias so much as institutionalised

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misanthropy. And, while it might be the case that the media are biased specifically against (say) Manchester United and fans of all other teams are simply incorrect in their perceptions, it doesn't seem likely; they can’t all be idiots. Instead, it's worth remembering that the media is not simply a mechanism for the transfer of information, but an entity in its own right, with its own aims, agenda, and needs.

What are those needs? In short, units. The point of a newspaper, for example, is to sell as many copies of itself as possible. The more copies sold, the more money the newspaper is able to extract from advertisers. While individual newspapers adopt differing positions, both politically and stylistically, they do so within the confines of what will sell. This has many implications, but for football writing, it means that the fundamental bias that the media have is to printing whatever helps them sell the most papers, acquire enough listeners, accrue enough viewers and amass enough pageclicks.

So what sells? On a general note, simple sells, and big sells. This is a little awkward when it comes to football because the season is made up of a thousand small things, all linking together and affecting one another. Hindsight tells you that this win or that loss were crucial; at the time, things are much less clear. Think of how many times Arsenal were in and out of the title race, as indecisive as a drunk doing the hokey-cokey.

While the inconsistency was all Arsenal's, the

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exaggeration of the inconsistency was media driven. After all, “Arsenal slightly more/less likely to win title” isn't going to capture the imagination, despite being a fairer representation of any given result.

The other thing that sells is people. Again, this is a question of simplicity. A football team, squad or club is a complex and multifaceted thing, and it succeeds and fails for complicated and detailed reasons. A player or a manager, on the other hand, is a personality and an individual, and so can be presented in an easily comprehensible way. Players can go through slumps, or purple patches; managers can indulge in mind games, and spend their lives under constant pressure.

They produce quotes for the padding of stories, and they get up to all kinds of entertainingly soaplike things.

This is not to suggest that what individuals do isn't important, but to point out that there is a tendency to focus on the individual narrative to the exclusion of the wider picture, because it's an easier story to tell. The best example of this was Fernando Torres' move to Chelsea, which became a tale of his personal drought. Understandably so, too: everyone likes to see expensive signings struggle. But however poorly he was playing, Chelsea's form picked up when he arrived, and as funny as it was watching the ball run away from his clumsy control, the team were closing the gap on United at the top of the table and ultimately that's the only thing that matters.

acknowledging United's strength. Every lament wasted on them is a paean lacking for us. Yet bearing the above in mind, we might conclude that this is due to the fact that this Manchester United team – with a couple of exceptions, to which we'll come later – lacks the kind of personality that makes for good news stories. While there are dominant footballing personalities, in terms of how they play game, the squad is a curious blend of the inoffensively nice, the personally bland, the shy, the ultra-professional, and the almost fastidiously hermetic.

And, being frank, the football they play isn't all that thrilling either; while there were moments of outstanding individual brilliance, and occasional performances of character and verve, there wasn't a dominant attacking philosophy, or a player who really defined the season. Conversely, there were none of Arsenal’s oscillations between the stylish and the hilarious, or Chelsea’s weird three-part season: remorseless, then rubbish, then remorseless-with-comedy-Spaniard.

Bland consistency doesn’t sell papers, even when it’s winning titles.

“Every article bemoaning their weakness is one not acknowledging their strength.”

Of course, this is all generalised. But I don't think it's unfair to suggest that in general, the football media (and, probably, all media) will choose the simple, personality-driven story over the complex, diffuse, non-personality based story.

Even when a team is addressed as a whole – as with the focus on Arsenal's collapses in form – it's treated as a coherent entity with a personality.

Why are they mentally weak? Why can't they handle the pressure?

From a Manchester United perspective, of course, the focus on the slumps of first Chelsea, then Arsenal, is a little frustrating: every article bemoaning their weakness is one not

21

Those exceptions, then, in reverse chronological order. First, Ryan Giggs. Looking back, it was remarkable how little this moment of national insanity infected the actual football press; the story, such as it was, ran (and is still running) on the front pages, but once the splash had quietened down it became clear that this was simply another move in the ongoing war between the tabloid press, who would like to print whatever they want, and the courts, who don't think they should be allowed to. Football, as ever, had its own stories to be dealing with, most notably the anointing of Barcelona as the greatest team in the history of the game. This, incidentally, is another tendency of sports coverage at the sharp end of the season: the rapacious contextualising of everything. The majesty of Barcelona perhaps did United something of a favour, coverage-wise, blunting the sharper edges of the post-final criticism.

The other exception – Wayne Rooney – is far more interesting. Marx was probably joking when he said that if history repeats itself twice, it does so first as tragedy, then as farce, but Rooney found himself at the centre of two media storms

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this season. And if the first was potentially a tragedy for United, the second was a joke of quite startling proportions.

When any player asks to leave any club, it rarely goes well. When a player of the stature, celebrity, importance, and value of Wayne Rooney asks to leave a club the size of Manchester United, well, that's the stuff that journalistic dreams are made of. It's worth remembering here that the first whispers of the story, as they spread through forums and on Twitter, were derided as nonsense, as typical media stirring, and as baseless, which all looked quite foolish when Rooney read out his little statement, knifed the club for their perceived lack of ambition and requested a move.

What is worth noting is the masterclass provided by Alex Ferguson in how to control the flow of a story, and how to use the media to your advantage in a struggle that takes place, at least in part, through the media.

Rooney’s statement, lest we forget, chimed with quite a few United fans – the still-relatively-unknown Chicharito and the ludicrous Bébé were not the inspiration and irrelevance they appear to be today. Ferguson, managed to reclaim first the sympathy of the fans, with his frank and actually-quite-touching statement, and then, once Rooney’s mind had changed, to sap the momentum of the story by exiling him to America for a few weeks. If nothing happens for a few days, the press will always move on.

Of course, sometimes they come back in circles. The other Rooney media storm was the ludicrous outbreak of hand-wringing and chest-beating that followed his “What? Fucking what?” into a conveniently-intrusive TV camera at Upton Park. Without wanting to reprise the relative morality of swearing-on-camera vs. swearing-at -camera, the real lesson of the piece was an object lesson in how important the power of personality is for a story, and how such personalities dominate news cycles.

As an aside, the nadir of the whole ‘scandal’ came Graham Poll's pompous diatribe in the Daily Mail, in which he stated, with an apparently-straight face, that Rooney's tirade “didn't make particularly pleasant viewing throughout Mother's Day,” which fell on the next day.

I would just suggest that if Mother’s Day is being spent watching Sky Sports News on endless rotation, then the specialness of the occasion has already gone, regardless of whether there’s a sweary Scouser on-screen.

Lest we forget, United had just pulled off their obligatory comeback-of-the-season, coming back from 2-0 down to claim all three points, maintain their

momentum, and really annoy Avram Grant.

There was a stark choice for the media: do we go with the football angle? Or do we go with the personality angle? That they chose the second option (again, a generalisation, but a fair one) is demonstrative not only of the priorities of the media – United win well, as a story, lasts only a day or so – but also of the significance of Wayne Rooney and, in a wider sense, of Manchester United.

There are only a few players that would have been treated the way Rooney was following that incident: he is England's (and arguably United’s) best player; he is exceptionally famous; and he is held in barelydisguised contempt by large swathes of British society for having the temerity to be (and to be proud to be) a working-class northerner who earns a large amount of money. And he plays for the club that is simultaneously the most adored and the most loathed in the country. A story about Manchester United playing well is of interest to a lot of people. But a story about United and England's best (read: most famous) player potentially destroying the morals of the nation's children? Print it today, print it tomorrow, and print it for the rest of the week if you can.

That's how the media works: the bias is always self-serving. Actively hating United would do no good; actively working to alienate the largest single block of football supporters in the country would be terrible business. But exploiting the hatred much of the country feels for United, along with the love that United's fans feel, guarantees a reaction, which leads to page-clicks, which leads to revenue.

Of course, there is much excellent content in the mainstream media; much analysis of United strengths and weaknesses on the pitch, and consideration of the personalities off it, is fair and cogent.

But ultimately, and while individual journalists of course respond to their own individual pressures and preferences, the overarching institution has one aim, and one aim only: to keep you coming back.

This is why they exaggerate, this is why they keep things simple and dumb. But it's important to remember that without the great institutions of English football – United pre-eminent among them – the sporting press would, quite literally, be nothing. All they want is your reaction. They need it.

By Andrew Thomas www.twistedblood.wordpress.com @Twisted_Blood

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ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

BORN AN It’s always nice to get to know United fans a little better.

Kicking off our new feature Born And Red we introduce to you, Sean O’ Sullivan.

Name: Seán O'Sullivan.

Age: 19, rather appropriately.

Occupation: Student and part-time journo when I'm arsed.

Where do you reside?

Currently in Dublin for college.

How did you become a United fan?

Honestly? I imagine it was probably playground dickmeasuring. That and the fact I grew up a couple of miles from Roy Keane's home. However, you don't stay with a club simply because of trophies. That's why it really pisses me off when overseas Reds get accused of gloryhunting. It's not like I'm gonna jump ship the second the trophies dry up. I'm a Red for life, be that winning things or in the Conference North. Nothing in sport, or indeed life, gives me the same passion that United do. The history, the aura, the ethos, the personalities. If I'm honest they all probably come ahead of

24

trophies these days, which is why I'm getting a bit of cold feet about Mourinho to United, though guarantee me he'll bring a European Cup and it'd be tough to say no.

favourite player was Paul Scholes, the best passer I've ever seen.

Preferential seating area at Old Trafford? *standing* Stretford End Tier 2.

Stand and sing for 90 minutes, as close to an away game as you're gonna get at OT.

Favourite current player?

There's something in me that's rather attracted to those under the most fire, I've always thought Dimitar Berbatov was a glorious footballer, touch, awareness, fuck it the man himself, have you ever seen an interview of his? He's great, and I'm delighted this year he added the goals. I hope he stays. I like Carrick very much too, ridiculous the flack he's gotten as a constant in a team that's won 4 titles in 5 years. Composure, ball retention and defensive screening is his game nowadays and I for one appreciate it.

Favourite ever United player?

Shockingly, it's Roy Keane. Drive, passion, world class passing. I loved him. How many games did he win almost single-handedly?

Away from Keano, I've spent many a day mesmerised by footage of Best, and Eric too as he came a bit too early for me. In the more latter-day United, my

Signing you were most excited by?

Seba Veron, he was a cracking player, didn't quite work out but his career at United was underrated all the same. Berbatov as well, I'd always liked him and a last-second Sky Sports News signing is always welcome for the transfer muppet inside me!

First match you attended?

United 3-0 Valencia, Champions League group stages 99/00. My hero Roy Keane had just signed a new contract that day, and scored in the game, so it was a great introduction to Old Trafford.

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ND RED Least liked United player?

I don't go along with the modernday trend of getting on players' backs particularly, but I always had a little inward groan when I saw Silvestre on the team sheet, never felt safe with him around.

Are you an away match goer?

Yep, whenever I can nab a ticket, and I love it. We're the best away fans around, bar none. You get an atmosphere and a sense of comradery that is sadly missing from OT these days.

Best away ground?

The Emirates is fantastic.

Best away experience?

Anfield, 2007. Johnny O'Shea in front of the Kop. Orgasm.

Are you a shouter or a thinker at matches?

A bit of both, I'll sing all the songs but I'll be thinking tactics and formations too, unless I've gone a bit too hard on the pre-match booze.

Best and worse things about the club?

Best? The fact that we're Manchester fucking United, the whole thing. Worst? The owners.

Stretford End “as close to an away game as you're gonna get at OT.”

Who do you want as next United manager and why?

For a long time I've been Mourinho, as he guarantees trophies. But I was very disappointed at the way he handled the Barcelona semi-final. Still, there's no candidates more suited to it, so I'll tentatively stick with him for now. Guardiola is an interesting one but would be a risk.

thing. The Bitters are too funny to be our biggest rivals, though I fucking hate the deluded twats too.

Any experiences with players to share?

I've had a few chats with Roy Keane, nothing major. I declared my love to Ruud and he said "I love you too," that was nice, though he was less pleased when I got down on one knee.

Best match you've ever attended?

Dirty Leeds 3-4 United, at Bellend Road back around 2002 I think.

“I declared my love to Ruud.”

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Worst moment as fan?

The Glazers' takeover. Failing that, losing 4-1 at home to Liverpool or either of the finals to Barcelona.

Biggest prick in football?

Can I have two? Malcolm Glazer and Carlos Tévez.

Sum up United's last season in ten words or less.

Just the one will do. Nineteen.

Favourite piece of United memorabilia?

Got a lovely Newton Heath replica, with the old laces and everything.

Biggest rivals and why?

Liverpool, the hatred is unmatched by the Manchester Derby, which is more a one-way

Best moment as a United fan?

Moscow, 2008. Though Michael Owen's winner in the Derby was probably the goal I've celebrated most, the pre-match hype with the Sheikhs' money, the fact that it looked like we'd thrown it away, and it was just so unexpected. Bliss.

Your best United XI? I'll go with players I've seen only.

Schmeichel, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Irwin, Ronaldo, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Van Nistelrooy. @OSullivanMUFC

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

FERGIE’S FINAL CHALLENGE? Sufiyan Kala takes a look at what could prove to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s final challenge in charge of Manchester United.

You’d think after all he’s achieved in his career, Sir Alex Ferguson, the patron saint of Mancunia, would have accomplished everything he would have wanted in his life twice, thrice and twelve times over.

He’s relished challenges all his life; from breaking the Old Firm’s dominance in Scotland as a budding young manager in the 1980’s to knocking Liverpool right off their perch as virtually a pensioner in 2011.

However, there is one thing the supreme Scotsman by his own

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admission has regretted – not winning more European Cups despite leading the club to two triumphs out of four finals.

What’s more, it is the two most recent final defeats he’s regretted the most. Yep, those damned ties against Barcelona.

Re-adopting the Johan Cruyff ‘total football’ approach to the game under Pep Guardiola, Barca have set the benchmark.

Every club aspires to play football the way they do. Even the Premier League has its very own shit version of the Catalan giants

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

in Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. Everything about this current Barcelona team is admirable. There is no shame in even admitting that they are the team to beat.

The manner in which Fergie suffered the defeats has been painful and hard to swallow.

In 2009, United were the best club in the world prior to the defeat in the final. We had arguably the best attacking frontline in the world in Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo and Berbatov. We also had arguably the best defence in the world United shell shocked after the 2009 final in Rome. with Vidic and Ferdinand at the heart of it. Yet, that defeat was a When will this opportunity come the ball and breaking with speed. culmination of United having a Despite Barca opening the scoragain? bad day and Barcelona exploiting ing, we hit back with a bloody that with devasgood goal and matched them for Wembley 2011. tating magnifithe duration of the first half.

The “worst United “My biggest regret is cence with team in years” were their little we haven't won the However, during the second back in the final for geniuses Xavi half, after David Villa scored the third time in European Cup more and Iniesta Barca’s third, that’s where the four years. There times. We have a terri- was hope. United controlling the new challenge for Sir Alex began. midfield and of fic history but it is not fans, including course Messi A new rivalry had been crethe same as Real Ma- myself, were condropping into ated. And unlike our rivalries vinced Fergie drid, AC Milan, Liver- would pull off the midfield to with Liverpool, City and Chelsea, cause further to overcome this current Barca probably the bigpool, Bayern Munich confusions team who will only get stronger gest upset in or Ajax.” between and better, the European Cup is recent years.

United’s dethe only platform where Fergie fence and midcan beat the sensation of Some had speculated that if field.

Catalonia.

United were to beat Barcelona at Wembley and add another EuroIn the aftermath of the game, And just like he overthrew pean Cup to the trophy cabinet, some said Sir Alex got the tactics Celtic and Rangers and took Fergie’s retirement could be wrong by playing Ronaldo in the Aberdeen to European glory, imminent. But the mere fact that centre-forward role when he trust me, the man who has bewe were absolutely outclassed would have been better suited on come obsessed with only being again in every department the wing and that Tevez should the best will not rest on his laumeans yet another challenge has have started ahead of Ji-Sung Park rels until he’s played Barcelona been created for him. etc. But the bottom line was, apart in a European Cup Final and from the first ten minutes, Barcebeaten them.

Unlike 2009, United weren’t lona were deserved victors. poor at Wembley whatsoever.

Actually,

By Suffy Kala There was still a sense of disappointment in the air as United I thought we started off well were tipped favourites before the with a quick tempo, not allowing game and the result was far from Xavi and Iniesta a lot of time on @Sufiyan_Kala what everybody was expecting.

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ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

OI WOMEN

NO! When Sepp Blatter so eloquently suggested that to improve the women’s game you would effectively need to turn it into a 4-dimensional lads mag, we audibly tutted, wagged our collective virtuous index fingers and shook our self-righteous heads in unison. We will not stand for this! We are well adjusted philanthropists marching towards equality. In an unprecedented showing of gender solidarity we all joined hands and burst into song, 'Imagine' by John Lennon or that song off that old coke advert. In full voice we arrived at the ticket office gleefully unburdening our purses and wallets of our hard-earned to procure our season tickets to watch Manchester United women’s team *Sound effect of needle scratching to an abrupt end on record* Oh...

In 2005 our beloved Manchester United scrapped their women’s team because there was no financial sense in it continuing for the club. Forgetting thousands of years of institutionalised sexism (as a man, I’m well practiced in this), this is an important new factor in the growth of the women’s game. Business as football now is in the most part, does not often regard lateral thinking as an essential tool for its own perpetuation. If something makes you shed loads of money you carry on doing it ad infinitum. The men’s game sees individual club revenues reaching consistently over £400m. It’s of course hard to simply put a figure on how much it would cost to really push the women’s game, especially when there is an absolute absence of inclination, but it would be at least Roman’s pocket change.

Only one or two mainstream sports appear to have a thriving women’s game, one of which is tennis. This is pure speculation and founded in nothing other than an uneducated guess, but this could be down to tennis

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throughout the century being a social ‘double-dating’ past time for the middle and upper classes.

Women were ‘allowed’ to play tennis. An alternative explanation for its near parity with the men’s game may actually be simply that it’s young females running around in short skirts.

Whatever the reasons behind the success it proves that women’s competitive sport can be lucrative.

When we stopped blinking for long enough and saw some women’s football coverage on TV in 2005, when the England team played in the European Championships hosted in this country, viewing figures averaged at around 2 million. Attendance at the grounds during the tournament averaged around the 20,000 mark. Both roughly just below a quarter of what the equivalent fixture achieved for the men during Euro ‘96. Albeit a big drop, this suggests that there is a market for it. Most other sports would bite your hand off for those figures. There is money to be made.

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

Women have of course threatened to enter the men’s game but have been met with the reaction akin to that of a stag do infiltrated by an inquisitive fiancée. In 2003 Perugia were hoping to sign Birgit Prinz, a footballer for the national German women’s team. The Perugia president Luciano Gaucci said their investigation had led them to believe, “There was no regulation that would limit Brigit from playing with men.” He also felt the need to add, "She is very beautiful, and has a great figure. I can assure you that as a player, she's very good." I’ll let you pick yourself up off the floor and dust yourself off after that one. Birgit Prinz apparently declined the offer to join the club amid fears FIFA were about to throw their toys out the pram. The following year when Maribel Dominguez signed for Mexico's seconddivision club Atletico Celaya, FIFA in a written statement acted swiftly, “The genderseparation principle in football should be maintained…this is laid down in league football and in international matches by the

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existence of gender-specific competitions, and the Laws of the Game and FIFA's regulations do not provide for any exception… there must be a clear separation between men's and women's football." Well, what did you expect? A clear, progressive, straight answer?

Of course the women’s game does amble along in the background around the world. In America they give it a good go, but more often than not clubs can’t maintain professional status due to poor revenue streams. Here the Super League launch this year will see the financially stable women’s teams attempting to push the game into professional waters. The F.A however having already raised concerns about the financial climate and have admitted to struggling to find all the investment required. “We’ve got less money. We have to be clear about putting money behind priority programmes – and the Women's Super League is a priority programme."

Football is not run by historians, philosophers, psychologists, mathematicians nor scientists and so is not equipped to offer a solution to gender inequality.

Sexism is not an issue football can tackle. It can assist somewhat if it changes it's tact from sporadically mentioning the women’s game in brackets. But it won't. It could, if it really, really wanted to, perpetually reinforce a well considered campaign of being a well adjusted institution.

But it won't.

You can’t undo His-Story.

By Brett Burgers

As a young 'un Brett fell in love with football, Robbo and United all at the same time. He grew up in awe of Eric and Scholesy. Brett is also one half of www.bifurcated.co.uk

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

MAD MANC’S RANTS Ranting is what Peter Dyke does best, be it in his local or from the stands. When he's not at the game, he loves nothing more than putting the footballing world to rights with a beer in one hand and a megaphone in the other.

In this issue Peter is discussing the cost of what he terms the English Premium.

Last season saw the launch of the squad registration system in top flight English football. Just for those not aware off this, each club has to register 25 players of which eight have to be classed as 'homegrown'. After one season using this system, opinion is divided as to whether it actually works or not.

The system has many pro's and con's, most of which I won't discuss here. The one point I will discuss is the so called 'English Premium' hitting our transfers.

It has always been common place that the transfer of English players, to English clubs, has been slightly deflated. When United signed Rio Ferdinand for about £30m back in 2002, the fee was right up there with the most expensive players in the world. Many deemed it ridiculously high, although you could probably look back at that fee and say we got a bargain. When Wayne Rooney transferred to us in 2004 for £27m and became the most expensive teenager, people recognised his potential but stuck their noses up at the fee. But I think fans of every club would agree that the transfers between English clubs for home grown players over the last twelve months have gone over the top.

Case one, Andy Carroll. Transferred to Liverpool for £35m in January 2011. Prior to his blockbuster move to our bin-dipping neighbours, Carroll had

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played half a season at the top level (apart from a handful of appearances the season they went down). He had also played for one season in the Championship. Say what you want about how he performed, the potential he shows, blah blah blah; the fee Liverpool paid for Carroll is abysmal. Its monstrous, its so far over the top its back at base camp! When you compare that Barcelona paid approximately £34m for David Villa, one of Europe's top strikers and a proven international star; you see the ridiculousness of the fee.

Case two and three come from this summer with the transfers of Jordan Henderson to Liverpool for £20m and Phil Jones to United for £17m. Henderson has played two full seasons for Sunderland in the Premier League, scoring 4 goals in 70 appearances.

He has one cap for the Senior England team. Phil Jones has played just 35 league games for Blackburn in his career over two seasons (mainly due to injury). He has been capped at U-21 level but not yet for the senior team. Are these players talented footballers? Yes they are. Are they worth between £17£20 million? Well, no. No they aren't.

The 'English Premium' that has seen these transfer fees shoot through the roof is down to the major teams now clamouring for the best English talent available. All of this is to ensure that they fill the 'home-grown' quota for the coming seasons. Whilst this is obviously good for smaller teams in terms that they earn a lot more money when their stars move on, it does mean that the premium effect cascades down divisions. This means that the extra money made selling top players disappears quicker as they then have to fork out more for replacements. It could also be added that in times of financial disparity all over the world, with recessions, depressions, wars and financial collapses a common topic in the news; shouldn't football be tightening the purse strings, rather than spending an increasing amount on transfers? Hasn't the football financial crisis of the past decade, where clubs in administration were common place, taught us anything?

It’s clear to see that the squad registration system and the 'English Premium' go hand in hand. Which means the big teams will always pay over the odds, and who will be left to foot the bill for all this? The people the clubs seem to care less and less about, the paying fan.

You can read Peter’s further ramblings at The Faithful MUFC or follow him on Twitter @MadManc78

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

TRANSFER TAVERN We’re well into silly season by now.

These are just some of the name United have been linked with this month.

Angel di Maria Real Madrid

Samir Nasri Arsenal Shay Given Man. City

Guiseppe Rossi Villareal

Kaka Real Madrid

Lucas Sao Paulo

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WHAT WE’VE

LEARNED THIS MONTH

• UEFA have awarded Wembley the 2013 Champions League final, just two years after it hosted this year’s final. A smart move by the European governing body? They claim it to be in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the FA. Call me suspicious but I suspect it could be more to do with the millions they made this year.

• It’s looking increasingly likely that there will be an GB football team at the London Games. However it appears as though only the English FA are happy about this. The other nations need not worry really, let’s be honest there won’t be any Scottish or Northern Irish players in the team and only a handful from Wales. This is perhaps the best thing our own FA have done in some time.

• Arsene Wenger lacks that little bit of class when it comes to releasing players who, quite simply, no longer wish to play for his club. Cesc Febregas all but put in a formal transfer request last summer to return to his boyhood club, Barcelona and the European Champions have come sniffing once more.

Fergie played a blinder in keeping CR7 for a further year once the player had made it clear he wanted to move to Real Madrid in 2008 but eventually the player got his move.

Keeping a player who doesn't want to play for you is detrimental to the dressing room. So Wenger, take a leaf out of Fergie’s book and do the right thing. No player is bigger than the club.

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

And warming the bench...

Edwin Van der Sar

Gary Neville

Rio Ferdinand

Bryan Robson

Wayne Rooney

Peter Schmeichel Norman Whiteside Andrei Kanchelskis Lee Sharpe Roy Keane Antonio Valencia Cristiano Ronaldo

Paul McGrath Denis Irwin

Paul Scholes

Ryan Giggs Eric Cantona

Mark Hughes

Brett’s United XI Following on from Suffy’s article in Issue 4, the FU Fanzine team will be selecting their Manchester United XI each month. The only stipulation 32 they can only choose players they have ISSUE 5, JULY 2011 actually seen.

WEBSITES OF THE MONTH With so many Manchester United themed websites out there it’s hard to know which are worthy of your clicks. We aim to bring you some of the best each issue giving you greater insight into what’s on offer.

www.bifurcated.co.uk @bifurcated_mufc The original concept for Bifurcated was to present a balanced look at United involving fans from other clubs, hence the name. Then one of the potential writers (an Arsenal fan) sent us this message: Would struggle to write anything constructive about Mr Potato head...Oh and the belief that the club which floated itself first, sold itself shamelessly around the world is not for sale. Hmmmm. We will still try and present a balanced view (most of the time) aswell as throwing in some slightly more alternative posts. Hopefully a few people will like it.

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www.cantheyscore.com @CanTheyScore How long have you been doing Can They Score, and what was the inspiration behind starting it?

Can They Score has been running officially since the end of January but I initially found the inspiration back in October. I started the blog as a platform to express my own views and opinions, while using it to give fellow United fans the opportunity to also write articles for it- regardless of their previous experience. Obviously, the name was inspired by 'that' night in the Nou Camp, when Clive Tyldesley uttered those infamous words.

What can first time visitors come to expect from the website?

Primarily, visitors should expect high-quality, informative and interesting articles on all things Red. Rather than simply publishing news articles, we instead focus on producing original pieces for your enjoyment. During the season, we always publish pre and post match reports for the first team but we also follow the Academy in depth. Feature wise, we run a regular transfer target series, hall of fame series and are currently compiling many articles from fellow United bloggers on their favourite footballers!

Describe Can They Score in ten words or less.

“Can Manchester United Score? They Always Score!”

What does the future hold for Can They Score?

You can expect Can They Score to continue its rapid expansion, as we introduce more features, more writers and more diversity to the site. We're hoping to incorporate reader’s suggestions and our own ideas, in the coming months, to hopefully build on the success we've already had. Be sure to get on board and grow with us!

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

IS LUKA MODRIC A ÂŁ30m MAN? Sam Peoples investigated whether or not potential United target, Luka Modric, is really worth his price tag.

United closed in on a record 19th Premier League title this season but for a lot of it, the midfield played the pantomime villain for many a fan. It seemed like every game saw a new partner for Carrick in the midfield as Ferguson tried to blend the attacking and defensive side of a midfield but just couldn't find the right duo.

Scholes was coming to the twilight of his career, Hargreaves was still on the sidelines, Anderson had another serious knee injury and Fletcher was fighting illness for the latter part of the season: United found themselves without an answer. As such, most fans are anticipating that a world class creative midfielder will be brought into the team to try and fill the hole not only left behind by Scholes but the hole that had been so obvious all season. Luka Modric is one player associated with coming to United and after openly admitting that he wants to play Champions League football, Ferguson was set on red alert.

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and start earning his keep.

It is also a given that nobody can argue that Modric is not a quality player either, as his performances against United this season showed how good he really is.

SAF is openly an admirer of the diminutive Croatian midfielder but after Chelsea bid ÂŁ22 million and got rejected without question, the price of Luka Modric looks like it is going to be more towards the ÂŁ30 million mark. The question now begs as to whether it would be in United's interest to make Modric the second most expensive player in history at Old Trafford behind Berbatov.

The first thing to note is that Luka Modric is an established and proven Premier League player, having made 118 appearances over the past 3 season for Tottenham Hotspur and it would not take any time for him to settle down

In the game at Old Trafford, Modric completed 49 out of 55 passes giving a completion rate of 89% against United. In the game at White Hart Lane, he completed 64 out of 77 giving a completion rate of 83%. Statistics like this should not be sniffed at,

Modric chalkboard vs United Old Trafford 30th Oct 2010

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

especially when you take a look at the chalkboards.

With Carrick all but guaranteed to be part of our starting XI for seasons to come, United need to buy a midfielder that can bring forward passes to the team and this is somewhere where Modric flourishes.

As you can see from the boards, a lot of Modric's passes and movement bring him far up the pitch as he moves from side to side and acts as a pest against defences. His ability to remain unmarked is a testament to his movement throughout the game and his energy could bring a lot of activity to a United midfield that has looked very static and unadventurous throughout last season.

Something that I also feel that Modric would bring to the team is his ability to dictate the play. We have been left to rely on a Carrick that struggled to find the form that made him such a good player in 2008

Modric chalkboard vs United WHL 16th Jan 2011

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and as such, Rooney was forced a lot deeper to try and make up for what wasn't there. Luka Modric answers all these questions. Carrick has managed to re-find his ability to retain possession and break the game up towards the end of the season but he just didn't have a partner to scoop the ball up and dictate the movement of the team. There was too much of a gap between the midfield and the attack last season and Modric would be able to smooth over these cracks pretty easily. I am definitely not saying that Modric is the best player that has ever existed and we would be foolish not to instantly buy him but from a realistic perspective, he is probably United's best option. Samir Nasri has been closely linked but it looks like he used the United prospect to boost his wages at Arsenal and will likely sign a new deal. Wesley Sneijder would cost more towards the £40 million mark and no superlatives are necessary in describing how good a footballer he is.

Whether he would settle in at United is a different prospect though and I am genuine believer that Modric brings more suitable attributes to the table for what United are looking for right now.

At 25, he is coming into his prime as a footballer and it would seem like the perfect time for United to snap him up. Having dealt with Tottenham Hotspur on previous occasions with

the purchases of Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov, one would have to assume that a good relationship between the clubs has been established, although trying to buy Luka Modric may prove to be an altogether different saga.

Do I think that he is worth £30 million? No. Do I think he will be purchased for £30 million? Yes. The market has become so inflated that United have spent £30 million on Jones and Smalling combined over the past 2 years, so to spend £30 million on an individual who is established in the footballing world needs to be taken in a relative sense. On its own, the price is preposterous but taken into context, one would not anticipate on landing a footballer of the calibre of Modric for anything less than £30 million, such is the price that football has come to.

By Sam Peoples www.thepeoplesperson.com

@PeoplesPerson_

Looks nice, doesn't it?!

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

DVD

127 Hours

Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. 127 Hours is the true story of Aron Ralston's adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Rather predictably from the title it takes 127 Hours for Ralston to free himself, during which time viewers are witness to his deteriorating mentality.

James Franco stars in his best film to date.

IN VI Steph offers news on what’s been big this month, keeping you up to date with the best in

view.

MUSIC Suck It And See Arctic Monkeys

I might be in the minority by saying this but I’ve haven't rated the Arctic’s work all that much since their pioneering debut album back in 2006. This is their fourth album offering and I can finally say I am impressed once again, but not in the same way as I was before. This is a band turning a corner, in an intriguing transition. They make a seamless step forward in the music world and are showcasing their abilities to the max. Buy it, download it, listen to it with an open mind. It will be for most people but not others, in their own words, just suck it and see.

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ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

GAME

IEW

LA Noire

APP Vevo

The download brings you thousands of music videos all in one place. Whether you want to watch Rihanna’s latest controversial offering or relive the classic days with Guns ‘N Roses November Rain you can do so here, giving you much stimulation on those long, boring train journeys or gym workouts. Their own tagline says it all really the music evolution revolution. Give it a blast and see what you think yourself, with more then 30,000 videos available for you to watch there will be something for everyone. Oh and did I mention it’s free to download?!

BLU-RAY

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Ok so maybe this game actually came out at the end of May but even so I’m still ploughing my way through the cases as I slowly move towards the climax of what I have found to be an exhilarating game. Each year the gaming world expands, last year it was Heavy Rain but this year it just has to be LA Noire. Despite being produced by Rockstar, the same company who brought us the GTA series, the similarities are limited. Playing the role of Cole Phelps, a war veteran, it’s your job to work your way up the police department by solving cases. The game time varies depending on how efficient you are at solving crimes but you always get there in the end. From shoot outs, chasing suspects and interrogating people of interest, this game is excellent from start to (nearly) finish. Definitely recommended to anyone with a PS3 or Xbox whilst you whittle down time until the release of COD in November.

The Fighter

The inspirational true story of two brothers’ coming together to prepare for a boxing title fight in order to repair their damaged family and also bring hope and pride to their run down town. Both Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale shine in their roles of Micky and Dicky Ward respectively. The viewer finds themselves really drawn into the action and an excellent supporting soundtrack just adds to the experience. It’s without a doubt up their with some of the best boxing films of all time. A superb story from start to finish.

ISSUE 5, JULY 2011

THE FINAL WORD Only one month to go before we’ll be bringing you the low down on the forthcoming 2011-12 season, although it still feels like a lifetime away! United have made big strides to improve upon their squad throughout June with the signings of Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David de Gea. It’s hard to keep up with how many fantastic sides Ferguson has created during his time at United, but it looks as though his ambition is to create one more, perhaps the final one before he retires.

See you next month.

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ISSUE 2011 5, JULY 2011 Issue 6 is out on Monday 1st August