I’m glad we’ll only have to see this hideous kit for one season.

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Aon will likely be the front shirt sponsor, and like always there are a number of user created kits circulating the web. Here are just a few.

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“We’d maybe like to get one good player to the club, but it’s not easy in the present day climate. We’re still assessing.”

“Sometimes you have to have trust and faith in what we’ve developed in the last few years and I’m going to stick with that, or most of it,” he said.

“The structure of our squad is good — the ages, the balance of the squad, the numbers. They are all good young players.”

Sir Alex pointed out that United had already made two signings. 20 year old Chris Smalling from Fulham and 21 year old Mexican international Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez

I agree with Sir Alex, the core of United is great. Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Nani, Valencia, and Rooney are great. I didnt forget Scholes and Van der Sar, but these are two very crucial positions United need to reinforce. Both signed one year contract extensions to keep them at Old Trafford through 2011. Scholes will turn 36 this year while Van der Sar will turn 40.

Anderson is likely on his way out, while Darron Gibson is not world class, just yet. And if United want to continue to be Champions League and Premier league contenders, Kuszczak is not the man for the job. United and Kuszczak reminds me of Arsenal and Almunia. When Lehmann left, Arsenal were left with a mediocre starting keeper and a horrible 2nd string.

United need to purchase a world class keeper, only one comes to mind.
Igor Akinfeev – 24 year old – Goalkeeper – CSKA Moscow – £25m

My next one may sound a little crazy but hear me out. The player that comes to mind is Ronaldinho. His contract with Milan is set to end in 2011. United missed out on the play maker in 2003 to Barcelona, but at 30 the Brazilian is in form and could be a very exciting buy for United.
Ronaldinho – 30 years old – Midfielder – AC Milan – £15m-£20m

Another midfielder that comes to mind is:
Yoann Gourcuff -  23 years old – Midfielder – Bordeaux - £20m-£25m

What are your thoughts? Who should United buy?

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“It was a difficult decision but sometimes we have to take difficult decisions,”

“I didn’t discuss it with (United manager) Alex Ferguson. I did it with my father and my agent.”

“I felt tired at times and I also know there are skilful young lads in the national team who look forward to their chance.”

Berbatov felt tired? I guess that would explain his laziness on the pitch.

It was obviously a move to try and concentrate solely on his club career. The Bulgarian has come under a lot of pressure for not performing at Old Trafford and if he wants  to stay he needs to bring more to the table.

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Manchester United had to first get past stoke, and pray that Wigan pulled off a miracle.

United went with their strong back line, there is never any doubt who the starters are there. Giggs and Nani started wide, while Scholes and Fletcher secured the middle, and Rooney would have to deal with Berbatov alongside him.

It only took 12 minutes for Berbatov to miss his first of the match. Brilliant service from Nani to find Berbatov and it hits off his head and over the bar. Really should have scored.

Berbatov again! In the 23rd minute Nani would find Berbatov again, this time from the opposite flank, and you guessed it! He missed again, the Bulgarian cant buy a goal at the moment!

It was all United, and it was only a matter of time before they found the back of the net. This time it was Fletcher who happend to be in the right place at the right time. A corner was fed from Giggs and Vidic headed it down into the area and after some pinball in the box, Fletcher finished.

Finally Berbatov provided something, as he laid the ball square as Nani dummied Giggs came in and slapped it first time from the PK spot to put United up 2-0 before the half. its a good goal from the United living legend.

2-0 at half

United would be given yet another own-goal this season as Danny Higginbotham tried to intercept a cross from Rooney but instead found the back of his own net.

Berbatov and Scholes would come off for Macheda and Gibson in the 62nd.

At this point everyone was getting word of the rampage Chelsea was on at Stamford Bridge. Drogba had passed Rooney in goals and was on his way to clenching the Golden Boot award.

United did not let up and continued to put the pressure on stoke even after it was certain they had been dethroned. Great professionalism from United.

With only 6 minutes left Park would give United their 4th from a corner kick.

It was all over, Uniteds reign has ended. Chelsea dismantled Wigan 8-0! Other than a hand-full of individual awards United would walk away from a season with absolutely no silverware.

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But it’s not the Premier League that will haunt Sir Alex, it will be the moment he sees Bayern Munich walk out on the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu. “The European Cup was the biggest disappointment,” reflected the United boss. “We should be in final because we were the better team.”

And no disrespect to Bayern, but a Manchester United v Inter Milan would have been a much more entertaining final!

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Milan is widely known for their ability to extend careers. Maldini was 40 when he retired, Favalli is 38, Inzaghi and Dida are 36, Seedorf, Nesta and Beckham are 34. Zambrotta and Oddo are 33. Kaladze, Gattuso, Abbiati, Jankulovski, and Ambrosini are all 32.

Berbatov would be a considered a child there, and the Serie A would be a perfect fit for the lanky striker.

An unnamed source at the Rossoneri told The Sun: “No contact has been made yet but we admire Berbatov.”

“He is a stong player who would do well in Italy. Whether something can be arranged remains to be seen. It has been difficult for Berbatov in Manchester, but he is a good player who has a lot to offer.”

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Commonly known as Fútbol in Spanish, Soccer has continuously grown in popularity amongst Americans since 1994 when the U.S. first hosted the World Cup. As admired as it is in Europe, the game has spread like wildfire since the late 20th century. Although, admiration and respect for the sport is not quite at a quantitative level that it should be. American fans are prone to viewing our own special pastimes like baseball and football (Fútbol Americano). It’s important to understand this elevate it by discussing how physically demanding soccer really is. Even more so, it’s pertinent that we help voice the message to bring the World Cup back to the U.S.

Imagine you’re on a treadmill, running at a steady speed of 9.5 MPH for approximately 40 minutes – this is very similar to what a complete game of collegiate soccer feels like. A simple intramural game of soccer held on an indoor field can essentially equal over 8 miles of continuous running! Just as strength is important for weight lifting, endurance is just as important to play soccer. It goes without saying that endurance is one of (if not the most) important aspects of the game. Reaching a mature level of endurance will ultimately enhance any person’s ability to perform athletically, but it’s especially true for soccer players.

But enough of trying to convince you that soccer deserves its due; the game is respected greatly throughout Europe because it’s caught in the crosshairs of early tradition and culture. Variations of the game date back to over 3000 years ago.[1].

The World Cup is the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world.[2] It’s with this simple fact that we must revive the once heaving pounding heartbeat of fútbol in the U.S. by hosting the event on American Grounds. The U.S. is home to some of the largest arenas and has the ability to house enormous numbers as they did back in 1994. Efforts by some reputable figures are already underway for the 2018 bid. Counselor to President Bill Clinton, Doug Band, has officially accepted an request to join the Board of Directors for the USA Bid Committee in its effort to bring the FIFA World Cup™ to the United States in 2018 or 2022. This is demonstrative of a rally cry, one that has yet to be heard by a greater soccer audience.

© 2010 Janil Brock, All Rights Reserved
Printed with the Author’s permission.

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If Rooney had not suffered an injury, would we even be having this discussion? Hands down, Wayne Rooney was the best player this season. He scored 34 goals in all competitions and carried his team to not only a premier league title race but a Champions League quarterfinal. If Rooney hadn’t injured his ankle United would be in the Champions League semi-final against a weak Lyon team, and still in the premier league race.

Everyone had written Manchester United off after the departure of Ronaldo. But Wayne Rooney stepped up and nearly matched Ronaldo’s incredible 2007-08 run in when CR9 scored 42 goals.

Although Tevez had a great run, he didn’t have to worry about Champions League football, his goal was to concentrate on a fourth place finish in the Premier League. Fabregas is a great player but I would much rather have a Rooney in my squad then a Fabregas. The only one who could really challenge Rooney for the award is, Drogba, because he was a instrumental in Chelsea’s run to the double, I know it’s not over but it’s almost a certainty.

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Mancini is beginning to sound a lot like his Inter successor. But you can’t blame him for saying that, it’s what his club needs right now, inspiration from their manager, belief that they can compete with Manchester United.

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