---------------------------------
[22] More comment on the Oslo East deal
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by bar-knee:
Thanks to Lars for this:
We find the link up with Manchester United very interesting, and I think the agreement
will turn out positive for both clubs, says manager John Fredrik Hazeland in Oslo East.
United and Oslo East have agreed on a three year old deal, with a view to extent. Oslo
East is a club which was formed only three years ago, when six Oslo-teams merged.
Although United also had other bigger Norwegian clubs in mind, I think they chose us
partly because we are situated in Oslo, but most because we are a new established club
which United see a lot of potential in, explains the clubs manager.
In the agreement both clubs can send players and coaches to the opposite club.
United also wants to send their U16-team side for a match here in Oslo.
John Fredrik Hazeland tells us that the clubs have been negotiating for more that a
year.
Both clubs wanted to keep it secret until everything was settled and
done.
---------------------------------
[21] Hoolahoop upsets the locals
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by bar-knee:
As he declares:
"Their (us) team is not declining. Look at the age of their players, some of them are
actually still progressing and improving."
"I don't think we are even close to being in Manchester United's shadow yet," he said.
"When you are 20 points behind them and they are already champions it gives you a lot
to think about.
"We are not even within reach of being in their shadow yet. We need to improve a lot
more to catch up with them in the Premier League. But hopefully the battle with them
for the league title will be closer next season.
All we need now is for Mr Potato Head to say 'we are going down' and the sense of
realism will be complete!
---------------------------------
[20] Ruud to sign this weekend
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From Ananova:
United set to land van Nistelrooy
Manchester United are set to complete the signing of Ruud van Nistelrooy from PSV
Eindhoven this weekend.
Old Trafford officials were in Holland on Friday putting the finishing touches to an
£18million deal for the 24-year-old striker.
And PSV president Harry van Raay told The Sun: "We are in talks and expect to have the
deal done this weekend."
United agreed to buy Van Nistelrooy for £18.5million a year ago, but the transfer
collapsed when the Dutch international suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury which
ruled him out of action for 10 months.
---------------------------------
[19] Franky on Roy
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
>From PA
Roy's disappointment at the defeat was very apparent, he really wants to win, he's
signed a new contract and wants to play with the best players.
"He probably felt, particularly in those two games agint the Germans that they fell
below the standard needed to win that European Trophy again.
"He's been totally honest and I don't think it's a short-term thing, Roy's just
epitomised what his boss thinks - that they need at least three quality players in the
£10-15 million bracket."
---------------------------------
[18] Frank - difficult to see where to rebuild
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
It's difficult though to pinpoint areas in a side which has won the Premiership at a
canter where they need to strengthen.
"In terms of Europe they need to rebuild in terms of the Premiership they don't but
for Europe they need to look to get some major signings in look for a major assault
next year.
"Up front, the Van Nistelrooy deal seems to have been agreed, they'll look to sign
either a full-back or another centre-back and a more creative midfield player.
"So in all three departments they need to strengthen.
"When it was apparent they were going to run away with the League in January their
thoughts turned to the Champions League and lifting the Trophy again.
"Their form hasn't been compelling on the European Stage this season though, they've
struggled a bit against weak sides away from home.
"Against Munich they were below par particularly in the home game and the German's
could have won by more in the first-leg.
"It's been a big thing in their sights all season and people may think they've won the
league and that's enough.
"But because of the high standards set - in the last few seasons winning more than one
trophy - people probably feel a bit let down.
"You set out to win the title every season which is the most difficult thing to do but
by their own standards they'll be disappointed."
---------------------------------
[17] Frank - Utd will be up for the derby
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
"Looking at the game, team against team, you'd say it's a foregone conclusion for Man
United but with the disappointment in Germany and the fact that the league's been
wrapped up you could say there'll be a little bit of complacency.
"I don't think United fans will want City to get anything from the game though - so I
think they'll be up for the match.
"City are really up against it - they've been getting their best results away from
home but I can't see them getting anything at Old Trafford.
"It'll be competetive but United have the matchwinners, there'll be some changes from
the side that lost in midweek and we'll see some fringe players playing right up until
the end of the season.
"Alex Ferguson may look at some of those players to see if he wants to retain them
next season or let some go.
---------------------------------
[16] Frank - ta-ra City
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
"My gut feeling is that it's too late for City to get out of trouble and it's
unfortunate they've only had the one season in the Premiership."
---------------------------------
[15] McClaren disagrees with Keano
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
Steve says:
Certainly, I think the nucleus is still there,".
"We still have the togetherness that people so admire and that's why they kept going
in the second half against Bayern Munich and even into the four minutes of injury-time.
"You can't take that away. You can't lose that and you shouldn't lose that. To get
beaten in the quarter-finals of the European Cup is a huge disappointment."
"But you to take into account what we have done this season.
---------------------------------
[14] Steve - winning PL still tremendous achievement
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
"Once again we have dominated the Premier League, we're currently 16 points ahead and
we've won with five games to go.
"You can't take that tremendous achievement away and I think some people can take it
too literally. I think expectations can be too high.
"We have been overtaken in Europe so we must start again.
"We are at best the fifth best team in Europe and now we have to go out and prove
everything all over again."
---------------------------------
[13] Senior Cup Final details
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
>From the official site
This year's Manchester Senior Cup final will be played at Old Trafford on Friday 11
May. The showpiece match between the reserve teams of United and City will kick off at
7pm.
Lets have a massive turn out (no pun intended).
---------------------------------
[12] Mr Potato Head not overawed!
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
"The fact that United have just won the title means we must not be overawed by any
triumphal atmosphere."
"Their crowd could be in party mood and that could help inspire our lads. Certainly,
the first thing you have to do is believe you can win the match. If you do not, then
you will not."
Says it all really!
---------------------------------
[11] Steve - Mr Potato Head done good
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
And so say all of us!
"I have every respect for City boss Joe Royle. I think he has done a fantastic job at
Maine Road.Nobody at Old Trafford wants to see City go down. I think it is a shame
that we have to play
them at this late stage of the season when games are running out. But I do sincerely
hope they escape.
"There is hope for them. They showed great spirit against Leicester City last weekend
by winning at Filbert Street. One thing you have to have if you are going to get
through such adversity is a great work ethic, and City look to have that."
"I think there are still enough games left, and points to go for, after tomorrow for
them to get out of trouble."
---------------------------------
[10] McClaren on bouncing back
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
"Whenever you come back from Europe, no matter the result, it is always tough. But
nobody has coped with that better than Manchester United players."
"Last season we got back on our feet after being knocked out by Real Madrid to go on
and win the title days later at Southampton. We can come back from the bitter
disappointment in the same way against City, even though the championship has been won
this time."
"Going out of the Champions' League is a major blow and we're still recovering. It
will take time to heal the scars. But it's like falling off a horse or a bike - the
best thing you can do is to get straight back on again."
"There are few better games to do that in than a local derby. Life goes on and we have
to look forward now."
---------------------------------
[9] Massive straw clutching
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
As Joe tries to psyche up Wantrick (who he put on the transfer list he thinks he's
that good!)
"It was a wonderful, instinctive, intuitive strike from Paulo in what was his best
game for us in recent months."
"He has done well since he came back from injury and is looking sharp again and
another one like the goal at Leicester would be nice."
"Paulo has a history of scoring at Old Trafford and I'd like to think he could
continue that."
---------------------------------
[8] The Doc on "that" game
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
Even he seems to have fallen for the myth that City sent us down when they didn't. But
I suppose that doesn't sell after dinner speeches does it? From the MEN
"I still shudder when I think about it. Being sent down by our Manchester rivals was
bad enough. But imagine the only goal of the game being scored by a player who was a
United legend.
Now that's what you call rubbing salt in the wound.
---------------------------------
[7] The Doc on relegation and player power
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
"The writing had been on the wall since I took over from Frank O'Farrell at Old
Trafford the previous season. Frank had lost his job because he tried to break up the
team which had won the European Cup five years earlier and I faced exactly the same
problems."
"The truth is that the club had been too loyal to the players who had brought them
that European success. Most of the players in the first-team squad were well past
their sell-by date by the time I arrived but they wouldn't accept it. They wouldn't
budge and I couldn't shift 'em.
"With the players I had at my disposal, I knew what was coming in the season we went
down but that didn't make it any easier to accept."
---------------------------------
[6] Tommy on the re-birth and tight wad board
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
Perhaps a reminder to those who think Fergie is going to have 100 Zillion quid at his
disposal this summer
"I was at my lowest ebb ever when City sent us down. I honestly didn't think I was
going to survive relegation but, to the board's credit, they decided to stand by me."
"The one bonus from going down is that I was able to dismantle the old team and build
a new one. And I had to do it on the cheap."
"It sounds crazy now but there was very little money available at Old Trafford in
those days. Jimmy Greenhoff signed for me at £50-a-week less than he was getting at
Stoke.
"I lost Peter Shilton because we couldn't pay him £400 a week and Nottingham Forest
could. But one way or another I got a new team together. Greenhoff, Gordon Hill from
Millwall, Steve Coppell from Tranmere, Stuart Pearson from Hull City. And the patience
of the United directors was rewarded because we ran away with the Second Division
title the very season following relegation."
Ah, the memories!
---------------------------------
[5] The Doc agrees with Frank
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
City are the weakest link
"If the United players are up for it, then City haven't a prayer. But even if City win
or avoid defeat, I still believe that they won't escape the drop. To me they have
looked a First Division side all season."
"I take no pleasure in saying that. I like Joe Royle and I like his club. But Joe has
made mistakes this season and I'm sure he is honest enough to admit them."
"I don't know whether he bought in panic after coming up through the divisions so
quickly, but too many of his signings haven't worked out."
And George Weah said'
---------------------------------
[4] Go East
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
>From Reuters:
We are to link up with Norway's Second Divison club Oslo East, it was announced on
Friday.
The agreement will run for three years and involves the Norwegian club scouting for
United in return for clinics run in Manchester and Oslo for their youth team coaches
and players.
---------------------------------
[3] Giggsy on derby day
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
>From Icons
I enjoy playing in derby games, it seems to give the whole city a lift in the week
before the match. But City's plight cannot be our concern. We just want the three
points because with the title already won, we want to break last season's record and
win the Premiership by more than 18 points. Opening up a gap as large as possible at
the top of the league between now and the end of the season is our aim.
---------------------------------
[2] Ryan on 12th man
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
I actually noticed him on the night and asked him what he was doing. He told me he was
doing it for charity so I just left it there.
Hardly fits with the 'shut it' line he claims to have given Gary Nev, does it?
---------------------------------
[1] Closure threat lifted
---------------------------------
Posted Saturday, April 21, 2001 by redend:
>From Ananova
Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council have lifted their threat to close down parts of
Old Trafford because of persistent standing.
The council planned to section off areas of tier two in the West Stand for Manchester
United's Champions League semi-final home leg.
United's quarter-final exit has averted that scenario and Trafford MBC will not
enforce restrictions at either of United's remaining two Premiership home matches.
Instead the council wants to sit down with United over the summer and discuss ways of
weeding out those fans who stand in contravention of safety regulations during
matches.
Councillor Barry Brotherton, who is the council cabinet member with responsibility for
community safety, said: "What we have said is that the action plan we agreed with the
club will still apply.
"In the close season we will be talking to the club about strengthening our plan of
action."
"We want more specific ticketing arrangements so that even for European matches the
club can identify any fans who stand persistently."
"We are also going to have a more thorough risk assessment of the risk of standing in
various parts of the ground."
"We will also be taking legal advice about what are our legal responsibilities."
In other words, the risk of being sued by someone who's seat has been 'targeted'
Safe Standing now!
---------------------------------
[34] Teddy Football Writers Winner
---------------------------------
Posted Friday, April 20, 2001 by bar-knee:
Teddy has won the Football Writers Player of the Year Award, Becks second and Viera
third.
---------------------------------
[33] Opta stats for Saturday
---------------------------------
Posted Friday, April 20, 2001 by bar-knee:
Utd-city
33 Games 34
ATTACKING
74 Goals scored 37
2.24 Ave goals per game 1.09
45% Shooting Accuracy 42%
15% Goals to shots % 10%
PASSING
17428 Passes 12413
79% Pass completion % 67%
DEFENDING
75% Tackle success rate % 74%
24 Goals conceded 60
0.73 Ave goals conceded per game 1.76
DISCIPLINE
381 Fouls 563
37 Yellow cards 60
2 Red cards 3
