On Friday, August 10th executives and guests of English soccer club, Manchester United, Ltd., will visit the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to commemorate the company's initial public offering. Manchester United will begin trading today on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "MANU."
This was almost the goal of the season. wow. Messi-esque.
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| photo by zawtowers |
- by Hiten Mandalia, writing from West London
In Scotland, even before the season’s started, you know the league’s going to be won by Celtic or Rangers. It’s happened for many years over the past, with Hearts providing the slimmest of challenges to come in between the old firm rivals. Both clubs are financially stronger than the other teams in the SPL, henceforth, getting better players. Their occurrences in the Champions League, may it not be regularly, does attract some attention worldwide, but the failure for either club to be in the Champions League every season suggests how weak the SPL is.
The two best clubs in Scotland aren’t getting into Europe’s premier competition every season, while sometimes, they, along with Hearts and Motherwell, have to settle for Europa League football. Let’s be honest, the Europa League isn’t the most attractive competition. They want to aspire for the Champions League. Sometimes, Rangers and Celtic fail to get into Europe at all. It goes to suggest how weak the SPL is and that the best teams in Scotland fail to do well in Europe.
The same can be said about La Liga and the dominance of Barcelona and Real Madrid. They do brilliant in the league and they tend to do well in the Champions League. They have constant European football, with rich history and some of the greatest names in football.
Over the last few seasons, Real Madrid have splashed the cash, noticeably, buying Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United for a record £80m. They have got superstars in their team and they will continue to get stronger.
Their rivals, Barcelona, have a strong team, who play football out of this word and have equally good superstars as Madrid. They’ve won La Liga over the last few season and they’ve won the Champions League, three out of the last six seasons. This current team could go down as one of the greatest ever. However, these two giants are widening the gap from their La Liga rivals.
Both teams are in powerful financial positions, and they will continue to attract the best players in the planet, due to their rich histories and simply because they are Real Madrid and Barcelona. Barcelona beat Osasuna 8-0 on the weekend, while Madrid suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Levante.
Madrid lost, which was a surprise, which happens in football, while Barcelona’s 8-0 win over Osasuna shows the gap between the top and the rest. It seems the race to win La Liga will be between Real Madrid and Barcelona, until the other clubs reach their standards.
The main question is, will the Premier League result to a two horse race for the title for the next eight to ten years?
Manchester City’s billionaire owners suggest that Man City will attract the biggest names in world football as they have potential to reach new height. The fact that they’re now in the Champions League will raise the stature of the club. Players can go there because of potential and ambition, but some will go there for the large chunks of money that they’ll be receiving.
They’ve currently got a good squad who will challenge for major honours and they will be a constant threat for the Premier League title. They’ve got a bright future ahead of them, and by the looks of things, they will be up there for many years to come.
On the red side of Manchester are their rivals, Manchester United. They’ve got a fantastic team, with a great manager and world class players are always linked to a move to Old Trafford. With a rich history and never-say-die attitude, one can see why players would want to play for Man United. They’ve been the most successful side in Premier League history and there’ no doubt that they’ll always be at the top challenging on all fronts. So will the Premier League now be dominant in Manchester between the two Manchester clubs, or will Chelsea and Arsenal provide a constant threat?
Arsenal seem to be going through a transitional stage and major improvements need to be made at the Emirates, so they will find it difficult to get into the Champions League, never mind challenging for the league. Once Arsenal discover their old selves, they will be a real threat.
Chelsea will remain a real threat, despite the billons at Man City. The title has either gone to Chelsea or Manchester United over the last seven years, so only a fool will disregard Chelsea as a major threat to Man United and Man City. They have a great team spirit and experience on how to win leagues, so that could benefit them over Man City. However, it has been argued that they’ve got many ageing players which could be negative, as age will be catching up on them. That’s been recently evident of Frank Lampard, when he’s played for England and for Chelsea against Man United.
Then there’s Liverpool who will pose a real challenge for the title within the next few years and Tottenham are playing really well, so they can’t be ruled out. Their Champions League experience from last season will have taught them a lot.
Some have argued that Man United and Man City are getting stronger each season and they’ll build a big bridge between them and the rest of the league like, just like in the SPL and La Liga. That may be true, but there’s always a good possibility that the other teams around them will get even stronger to prevent them from happening.
Yes, Real Madrid and Barcelona may lose the odd game, but that will be a shock result, while in the Premier League, anyone can beat anyone, no matter where you are in the league.
However, the big difference between the Premier League and SPL and La Liga at the current time is that a possible of six teams can win the Premier League, while in Scotland and Spain, the audience already know that the title is going to one of two destinations. There isn’t much for them to compete with. You just have to look at the point’s comparison between the 2nd placed team and the 3rd placed to in the SPL and La Liga and compare it to the Premiership.
The question is, will the Premier League eventually become like La Liga and SPL?
Fernando Torres' embarrassing open net miss vs Manchester United
Ashely Young
Manchester United vs Arsenal
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| photo via manutd.com |
- by Hiten Mandalia, writing from West London
Ferguson started with two of his new signings, with De Gea in goal and Ashley Young playing on the left side of midfield, while City's £38m signing, Sergio Aguero had to settle for a place on the bench. They started with Dzeko and the ever controversial Balotelli in attack.
Manchester United started the better of the two teams, having most of the possession and creating more chances then their opponents, while City lacked energy and enthusiasm. However, they took the lead with a Lescott header from SIlva's free kick. It was totally unexpected as City weren't much in the game. Seven minutes later on the stroke of half time, Dzkeo scored with a fierce shot from 20 yards out. The United defenders didn't close him down early enough, while Dzeko saw De Gea off his line. The ball swerved passed the United goalkeeper right at the last, and City went into the break leading 2-0.
With City's good looking defence, people had expected them to restrict Man United form coming back. However, with United being United with their never say attitude, both sets of supporters knew what to expect.
United made some changes in the second half, with Jones, Cleverly, and Rafael coming up, as United had an average age of 23 when they started the second half.
They started the second half like a bullet. They went straight for attack, as you'd expect from United. Seven minutes into the second half, they got their first goal. Young being the creator from a free kick, with Smalling tapping it past Joe Hart, He won't have an easier finish all season. The players and fans could sense the confidence growing that they could get back into the game. Minutes later, a sensational move allowed Nani to equalise. Some beautiful inter-changing, one touch play between Rooney, Cleverly and Nani at the edge of the City box allowed Man United to walk through the heart of the City defence before Nani placed it into the middle of the net. It was a goal Barcelona and Brazil would have been proud of.
Despite all the millions they've spent, none of the City players produced a display that anyone associated with the club could have been happy with. They didn't create many chances in the second half, but credit goes to United from preventing them from happening. They didn't have any real enthusiasm about the game and they played some boring football at times. With the players at their disposal, one would have expected them to play with some spark and flair. Or it could have come down to Mancini's Italian mentality.
To add, Balotelli showed once again the immature kid that he is. As soon as he was substituted, he went straight to the dressing room, but he did come back to watch the rest of the game. He needs to sort his attitude out before the manager, the board and the fans get sick of him.
Deep into injury time, Man City had a free kick and they could have won it, but Rooney cleared it into the City half which allowed Nani to chase the ball like it was it's prey. His constant chasing forced Kompany to make a mistake, which then put Nani through on goal, one on one with Joe Hart. He went round the goalkeeper and scored the winner in the 94th minute. The players, the bench and the fans went ecstatic into what proved to be one of the best Community Shield's in years.
The joy on everyone's face's at Man United showed that this was more then just a friendly. It's given them a boost going into the new season believing that they can retain their title.
All of United's players looked impressive, as well as the youngsters. De Gea didn't have the best of first half's, but it may have been down to nerves, but he gained his composure in the second half. On the other hand, the City players looked dysfunctional at times and they lacked that cutting edge. Despite that, they will be a force to be reckoned with come start of the season
It was typical Ferguson, typical United but with some new faces. Despite the new faces, the never say die attitude will never be erased from Old Trafford.
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| photo by TBWABusted |
- by Joe Curtis, writing from Miami, FL
The main club believed to be after Sneijder is Premier League Champions Manchester United. Sneijder is believed to be the perfect replacement for Paul Scholes. Man United legend Gary Neville praised Sneijder stating that "he has the intelligence to play in areas where he is difficult to pick up, he can score goals and he can assist. He would be a great signing but I'm sure there are a number of clubs looking at him. I hope Manchester United get him but I don't know whether that will be the case."
SAF, however, claimed it was unlikely that United would acquire the Dutch midfielder: "We are looking at some things but I am not so sure Sneijder will be easy to get. I could pick three or four players to come in but they wouldn't be good enough for us, so there is no point."
Over the past few weeks there have been reports that the Sneijder deal had stalled due to wage discussions. United may not be able to afford Sneijder, but their neighbors could. Yesterday another rumor surfaced. On Saturday the Gazzetta dello Sport ran a story claiming Manchester City were set to sign Sneijder for a fee of €36 million with a salary of €6 million a season. City supporters had pulled a fast one on their rivals. The excitement died down when City manager Roberto Mancini released a statement denying that the club had come to an agreement to acquire the midfielder.
In response to the speculation that he was on his way to join City Sneijder said: "I can be very brief about the interest from Manchester United and City: I haven't spoken with either of those two clubs, so I can't really say much about my future at the moment."
What are your thoughts? Will Sneijder join United, City, or stay with Inter?
Old Trafford, 12/9/70, as a middling Manchester United beat Coventry, eight 16mm cameras were trained by a German experimental filmmaker on United's number 11: the legendary George Best. Shot, edited and framed so that hardly any other players are visible, Best's beauty on the pitch is captured forever.
- by Joe Curtis, writing from Miami, FL
The tournament's popularity grew as a number of young stars emerged through the years. David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, and Jozy Altidore are just a few of the names that have emerged during the tournament.
This years Milk Cup was the twenty-ninth edition of the tournament. 50 teams in total participated in hopes of being crowned the champions of their respective sections. The story of the tournament this year took place in the Premier section. It involved a team that the majority of the world has never heard of. The country were this team is from, however, has slowly crawled its way in to the Football World. That country is Qatar. Qatar as we all know is set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but Qatar has also found its way onto Barcelona's shirt (Qatar Foundation) and into ownership with Paris Saint-Germain. This Milk Cup team, however, was different. It is a Qatari sports academy known as Aspire Academy.
Aspire finished second in the Premier section with a record of 3-0-0 and qualified for the Milk Cup Semi-Finals were they defeated Desportivo Brazil 6-0. Aspire moved on to the Finals were they faced Manchester United who won back-to-back championships in 2008 and 2009.
In the Final Aspire's Ibrahima Drame scored a hat-trick in the first 25 minutes. Aspire went into halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead but there was more scoring ahead of them. Pabe Babacar added a fourth goal in the 56th minute. Manchester United were outclassed from the start but were able to give their supporters something to cheer about in the 60th minute when Jack Barmby put United on the board. Aspire quickly answered with a Souleyman Kone goal that made it 5-1.
- by Andrew McCarten, writing from Miami, FL via. Ireland
Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, and Dimitar Berbatov are themselves three of the top strikers in the Premier League, and each face being left out of the team due to competition for places.
Further, Michael Owen’s one-year extension sees him hoping to build on his 11 league appearances last year, but the return of Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda from loan spells means that six may be a crowd. Macheda is still just 19, and may be loaned out again, but has stated his preference to stay in England.
Welbeck had a very successful season with Sunderland last term, and the taste of first team football has done him a world of good. He made 26 appearances for the Wearsiders in the league, notching 6 goals, and has told the media that Ferguson has promised him a chance this year. Likewise, Owen still sees himself playing some role at the club, while Berbatov led the team in scoring with 22 goals, but failed to even make the bench for the Champions League final, with a starting duo of Rooney and Hernandez preferred, and Owen making the bench.
It is often said that, for clubs like United who compete in many competitions, squad rotation is a reality and a necessity; however, the addition of Vucinic would surely facilitate the loan or sale of at least one or two of the current strikers, seeing as there is no foreseeable way all will be content with their amount of playing time. Owen seemed the most likely to exit, but the club’s offer of a one year contract suggests Ferguson may value him in some way still. But with confidence gained from his stint in the Northeast, it would seem Welbeck is capable of handling the responsibilities given to Owen last year, and holding down the 4th striker spot.
Berbatov has been linked with a move away, but has continually come out in recent interviews proclaiming his desire to stay and fight for his place, praising United as the top of the footballing world. Any sale would presumably go against his wishes, although multiple Serie A clubs have been credited with interested in the Bulgarian frontman.
Hernandez was the signing of the season last year, and looks set to stay in Manchester for a long time, as does Rooney after his new contract after a brief period of indecision when it looked as if he would quit the club.
Vucinic has a great record at Roma, scoring 62 goals in all competitions for the capital side since joining from Lecce in 2006, as well as impressing recently for the rising Montenegro team, but with a current side already overloaded with attacking options, his addition would not seem to make much sense, especially since he would struggle to get games.
- by Hiten Mandalia, writing from West London
De Gea has been part of successful teams at both club and international level and he has proven that he has the potential to be one of the best goalkeepers in the near future. His £18.9m move from Atletico Madrid to Manchester United makes him the second most expensive signing for a goalkeeper in football history.
The move to Old Trafford hasn't done no harm to his career. It will only make him a better player, as he'll be playing at the top level on a consistent basis. He'll get regular action in the Premier League and in the Champions League, where he'll be tested against some of the best players in the world. Playing at the top level will surely enhance his chances of becoming No.1 goalkeeper for Spain.
Fighting for the No.1 jersey for Spain is a difficult challenge as there are many quality Spanish goalkeepers, but with De Gea being only 21 he's still got plenty of years to gain the No.1 jersey. However, it may only be a matter of time before De Gea is the goalkeeper of the Spanish national squad. Iker Casillas has been their goalkeeper for the best part of ten years, and once he hangs up his boots, it may be the perfect time for De Gea to replace him.
In the meantime, if he can prove himself at Manchester United, then his chance of becoming Spain's goalkeeper will improve. If he can prove his abilities on the international stage and win tournaments, then he could go onto achieve what Casillas has.
De Gea has the potential to be the best goalkeeper in the world, and joining arguably the best club in the world at the age of 21 emphasises how good of a goalkeeper
The New York Cosmos will be the first American club team to ever play at Old Trafford against Manchester United. The match will also be shown live in the United States exclusively on Fox Soccer at 2:30PM ET.
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| photo by James Adams |
Nicky Butt
Chad Calderone*
Sol Campbell
Fabio Cannavaro
Ibrahim Diaby*
Stefan Dimitrov*
David Diosa*
Brad Friedel
Marvin Iraheta*
Robbie Keane
Brian McBride
Dane Murphy*
Gary Neville
Yanik Reyering*
Michel Salgado
Moriken Sangary*
Patrick Vieira
*- New York Cosmos U-23 player
According to The Sun Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder is on ther verge of signing with Manchester United. United will spend a reported £35 million and will offer Sneijer a contract "that would eclipse even Wayne Rooney's £220,000 a week."
The Sun also reported that one of Sneijder's team mates said "Everyone expects Wesley's move to United to be announced soon, maybe as early as Wednesday." The Sun's source also stated that "He has even spoken to Dutch international team-mate Nigel de Jong to find out where are the best places to live in Manchester. It seems Inter want to sell but don't want to admit it, while Wesley wants to go but doesn't want to say it. It's a good move for him and good business for Inter."
Could the Wesley Sneijder saga finally come to an end?
source: The Sun
MLS All-Star First XI
Goalkeeper: Kasey Keller (SEA)
Defenders: Omar Gonzalez (LA), Sean Franklin (LA), Rafa Márquez (NY), Tim Ream (NY)
Midfielders: David Beckham (LA), Jack Jewsbury (POR), Brek Shea (DAL)
Forwards: Landon Donovan (LA), Thierry Henry (NY), Chris Wondolowski (SJ)
AT&T Text Voting Winner:
Defender: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)
"This is going to be a big night for me and my family but one which I intend to enjoy and I will savour every moment," Scholes said. "I have spent my whole footballing life at Manchester United, so this will be an emotional farewell.
“I wish to congratulate Paul for such an incredible career at Manchester United and I am looking forward to returning to Old Trafford in my new role with The New York Cosmos,” says Cantona. “This will be a significant and memorable match for all.”
"Paul’s retirement was typical of the man: low key, he was safe on holiday just so he could avoid any media interviews," said SAF. "However he won’t be able to hide away this time and it will be fantastic for the fans to be able to bid farewell to this"
Source: NYCosmos.com
Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville throws out the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox-Oakland Athletics game at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.
- by Hiten Mandalia, writing from West London
On the morning of 31st May 2011, Paul Scholes announced his retirement from professional football. This signals the end of a glittering career for “the best player of his generation”, as Zidane put it. There can be no complaints about the type of player Scholes was and the type of person he is.
He was considered to give 100% on the pitch, and as soon as his job’s done, he goes back to his family. He’s not one for the limelight and he’s not one who talks much to the media, except on the rare occasions. Paul Scholes keeps himself to himself.
He first came into the scene in 1994 under Sir Alex Ferguson and he made an instant impact. His trademark was volleying from 20-30 yards out and the ball ended in the back of the net most times then not. His shooting, passin and vision was second to none. He was one of thos players you had to admire, no matter what club you supported. His weakness was in his tackiling. He mis-timed many of his challenges, which at times, resulted in him being sent off. Other then that, there was nothing but admiration for the way he played the game.
He was a success when he got into the England team, scoring a hat-trick against Poland. He’s won 66 caps for England, scoring at the 1998 World Cup and the Euro’s in 2000 and 2004. He may have gone onto won over 100 caps for England, hadn’t it been for Sven-Goran Eriksson. He dropped Scholes, in order for a Lampard – Gerrard midefield partnership to work, which was a contraversial decision.
Scholes’ most decorative season came in 1998/99 where he won the treble with Manchester United. The unfortunate part of the season is when he couldn’t play in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich due to suspension. However, he did end up recieving a medal. Some would say he reached his peak in 2002/2003 where he has his most prolific scoring season, scoring 14.
In 2007, Scholes had difficulty with his vision and it signalled the possibility of Scholes never playing football again. This affected not only Man United, but also his family, but thankfully he got better.
During his later years, Scholes turned more into a defensive midfielder, who strung the passes together and dictated the play, rather then being more of an attacking player. However, who could foget his goal against Barcelona in the Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg at Old Trafford. Typical Paul Scholes. He struck the ball with real venom from 20 yards and it went into the top corner. That goal sums up Paul Scholes and helped Manchester United reach the Champions League Final. He played in that final and won the Champions League.
His last game was when he came on for the last 14 minutes against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League Final. Man United lost 3-1, but there were signs prior to the final that Scholes was going to retire.
The retirement of Paul Scholes will be a big loss to Manchester United in particular and also to all football fans. Many players and managers from the game have complimented him. All football fans will surely miss Paul Scholes. His goals, vision and passing technique. Scholes was one of a kind.
His playing days may be over, but he has decided to take on a coaching role at Manchester United.
Happy retirement Paul Scholes!
