The old Man Utd Thread

[Gabzy]

God DAMN, Gibson is on fire!

Very well worked goal, amazing finish.

[Gringo]

Who was saying Gibson has no future? I'll acknowledge Welbecks lovely assist. Key to the whole move was Berba. Holds the ball so well he is crucial to Utd's attacking play

[fatbob]

Two loverly goals from Gibson. Its been a good game so far.

[Gabzy]

Also, Anderson's been running around like a Terrier. Much improved from last week, which is good to see.

[fatbob]

Aye, i've been impressed by the entire team, aside from Nev, hes sooo slow...

And Spurs have been no slouches either, at almost full strength, we've pretty much bossed the game.

Keep up the good work. B+ See me.

[phresh]

This performance has been almost opposite to the Besiktas game, Anderson and Gibson have played well while Park and Obertan have been a bit anonymous.

Every time Neville gets the ball I want to put my fist through the TV though. At least I know what it's like to be a Liverpool fan now.

[neoELITE]

I've not heard of this Manchester united player De Laet before. Is he Turkish?

[Gabzy]

I've not heard of this Manchester united player De Laet before. Is he Turkish?

From Belgium I think.

[neoELITE]

From Belgium I think.

Just checked, he's Turkish.

[redbloodcell]

And Spurs have been no slouches either, at almost full strength, we've pretty much bossed the game.

Uh, no. No. Dawson, Bassong, Hutton, Bale, Bentley are not first teamers, and Jenas hasn't been a first team feature this season whenever we've had 2 CBs fit.

Still, that you thought we were makes me smile a bit. We don't even have a LW on

[Gringo]

As good as Anderson has been, I really do think he lacks the deftness of touch when attempting to put someone through. His passing in general seems to always be too hard/heavy. Also, someone tell Welbeck he is also allowed to hit the ball with his left foot. Even if he cant use it well it's better than shooting with his right from impossible angles.

[Lilywhite]

Aye, i've been impressed by the entire team, aside from Nev, hes sooo slow...

And Spurs have been no slouches either, at almost full strength, we've pretty much bossed the game

Keep up the good work. B+ See me.

Are you serious? It's been all Spurs.

Gibson's shooting has been superb though.

[max]

Aye, i've been impressed by the entire team, aside from Nev, hes sooo slow...

And Spurs have been no slouches either, at almost full strength, we've pretty much bossed the game.

Keep up the good work. B+ See me.

What a weird lie.

[phresh]

Second half was much more even but Spurs definitely had the better of the first half.

[Gabzy]

Just checked, he's Turkish.

[Gringo]

Stolen from another thread but this is more appropriate after that 'joke'

[Lilywhite]

Ctrl-Alt-De Laet.

[Liamness]

In a few years I reckon this'll be our first team line-up;

             Rooney

 Obertan             Valencia

    Anderson       Gibson

             Fletcher

Evra                       Simpson

           Vidic   Evans

Dunno about the keeper. I might just keep the link to this post safe somewhere, so I can look at it in a few years and laugh at how wrong I was.

[phresh]

I can't see Simpson staying beyond January, it's clear that Rafael is the favoured 'up and coming' RB. Despite Gibson having a decent game tonight i'm still not convinced he'll make it at United either. Other than that the rest isn't a bad shout.

[Majora]

People always say this. Rossi/Pique/Campbell/Eagles blah blah blah will be the next big thing, then we sell them for inflated prices to middling clubs once it's obvious they're not good enough. Well, Pique did well but the list of up and coming 'stars' who are nothing of the sort is huge at this club. I haven't seen enough of Obertan to make a judgement, though he did absolutely nothing tonight, but Wellbeck and Gibson are not going to make it here. I've seen loads of Wellbeck now and it's obvious he's completely overhyped. He'll be at a Bolton type club in 3 years.

[phresh]

How have you seen 'loads' of Welbeck when he only came into the reserves last year? Even then he's missed quite a few games due to injury. His performances on the wing are always a bit indifferent but i've always been impressed when he has played upfront. To write him off after a handfull of first team performances is ridiculous in my opinion, especially when he's not even out of his teens. Anyway, who is doing the overhyping? The same kind of fans who say he is shit and will never make it.

Obertan was poor tonight but when your supporting full-back gets outplayed by Bale you know the problems aren't entirely of your own making.

[BigShimmeryWall]

Rossi hasn't done too badly for the Yellow Submarine and they're a decent enough club.

[Trigg]

How have you seen 'loads' of Welbeck when he only came into the reserves last year? Even then he's missed quite a few games due to injury. His performances on the wing are always a bit indifferent but i've always been impressed when he has played upfront. To write him off after a handfull of first team performances is ridiculous in my opinion, especially when he's not even out of his teens. Anyway, who is doing the overhyping? The same kind of fans who say he is shit and will never make it.

Obertan was poor tonight but when your supporting full-back gets outplayed by Bale you know the problems aren't entirely of your own making.

Welbeck seems to be getting a lot of stick lately and I'm not sure why. Again, I don't think he did himself any harm last night. People seem to be writing of players chances at a whim, non more so than the media. He's still got a lot of development in his game and hin himself as a person and to write him off now is just silly.

Good job SAF shows patience, otherwise we'd have no young players. Ever.

Obertan was poor defensively yesterday though Phresh, don't you think? The amount of times he let Bale go past wasn't very good to see. Its a bit weird too because when he's further up the pitch he's not scared to get his foot stuck in or hussle opponents. Something which can be worked on obviously.

Rossi hasn't done too badly for the Yellow Submarine and they're a decent enough club.

Rossi is a fantastic little player.

[MojoChin]

Obertan was poor defensively yesterday though Phresh, don't you think? The amount of times he let Bale go past wasn't very good to see.

I don't think we can blame Obertan for the defence on the right side. Too many times Obertan was further back than Neville and tracking Lennon. The 2 times Bale skipped through down the wing he was attacking Neville. Neville was caught too high up the pitch far too often. Neville has no place in the team anymore, he's just picked now because he is captain.

I would love to see Tosic get more than 9 mins in a game. He has always shown he has a lot to his game, but never gets the chance to stretch his legs.

Also, at Liamness's team for the future, there is no chance that will be the first choice team in the years to come. We will make signings and we will sell some of them. Also, why include Vidic and not Berbatov?!

[Trigg]

I don't think we can blame Obertan for the defence on the right side. Too many times Obertan was further back than Neville and tracking Lennon. The 2 times Bale skipped through down the wing he was attacking Neville. Neville was caught too high up the pitch far too often. Neville has no place in the team anymore, he's just picked now because he is captain.

I would love to see Tosic get more than 9 mins in a game. He has always shown he has a lot to his game, but never gets the chance to stretch his legs.

Also, at Liamness's team for the future, there is no chance that will be the first choice team in the years to come. We will make signings and we will sell some of them. Also, why include Vidic and not Berbatov?!

I'm not blaming anyone to be honest. Lennon always causes us problems, Neville was always going to struggle with his pace, hell even Evra struggles against him. Other than a few times we kept Lennon fairly quiet and I didn't think Neville was partically bad.

I did see Obertan switch off though, as in didn't track a man all the way and just thought I'd mention it.

Neville probably played because of injuries to other player too, not because he's 'just' the captain

[Liamness]

Also, at Liamness's team for the future, there is no chance that will be the first choice team in the years to come. We will make signings and we will sell some of them. Also, why include Vidic and not Berbatov?!

Despite our financial situation not being stellar, signings are definitely the unknown, along with Hargreaves possibly coming back from the dead. I include Vidic because I expect a return to form from him, he's still young for a centre-back and I feel his best years are ahead of him. Berba is great, and I toyed with having him in a 4-4-2 at the expense of Gibson. I don't think he's got a contribution to make in every game, though, so he'll never be a consistent starter.

I can't see Simpson staying beyond January, it's clear that Rafael is the favoured 'up and coming' RB. Despite Gibson having a decent game tonight i'm still not convinced he'll make it at United either. Other than that the rest isn't a bad shout.

Gibson scores goals, appears to link up with the forwards well and provides much-needed hustle. I'm sure he'll stay, though he may not play as prominent a role as I might hope. Simpson has proven himself at a number of Premier League clubs, who've usually wanted to keep him. I don't think we have a first-choice right back as of now, so I'd see the fact that he hasn't left yet as a sign Ferguson will give him his chance. He's certainly good enough going forward, and I'd like to think Roy Keane wouldn't have wanted him if he couldn't defend. He's from Salford so I guess that makes me a bit biased.

[Gringo]

I dont understand why people keep saying Gibson isnt likely to make it. Gibson certainly has the potential to do a Fletcher. How many people thought one day he would be Utd's best central midfielder? With more experience I can see Gibson turning into a first team player. He already has better touch and passing ability than Anderson. Also, apart from the assist for the Gibson goal I wasnt very impressed with Welbeck. Even with Berba in there he didnt do a lot for me.

Obertan never really got into the game partly due, I would say, to Neville. In the second half Neville's limitations did get exposed quite a lot. Im not as critical of Gazza as some of the rest here but when playing against a team with flying wingers he would best be left out. Vidic was immense last night which was good to see. I also thought Park was pretty poor until he was moved into the centre for the last 10 mins in which he looked very good. Perhaps something to explore further I would think.

[Trigg]

I dont understand why people keep saying Gibson isnt likely to make it. Gibson certainly has the potential to do a Fletcher. How many people thought one day he would be Utd's best central midfielder? With more experience I can see Gibson turning into a first team player. He already has better touch and passing ability than Anderson. Also, apart from the assist for the Gibson goal I wasnt very impressed with Welbeck. Even with Berba in there he didnt do a lot for me.

Obertan never really got into the game partly due, I would say, to Neville. In the second half Neville's limitations did get exposed quite a lot. Im not as critical of Gazza as some of the rest here but when playing against a team with flying wingers he would best be left out. Vidic was immense last night which was good to see. I also thought Park was pretty poor until he was moved into the centre for the last 10 mins in which he looked very good. Perhaps something to explore further I would think.

He does have a chance, that's for sure. I'm still unsure of him though and I'm not sure why.

The one thing he's got is goals in his locker, I mean he does shoot all the time which can be annoying but if you don't shoot you don't score I guess. His goals yesterday were lovely to see, especially the second. Quality strike that was. That being said, apart from the goals he was quiet I think. Anderson was deffiantly the busier of the two be it with or without the ball. I don't think its the best partnership to be fair, when Carrick came on both Gibson and Anderson looked a lot more composed and in control.

He's still behind Scholes, Fletcher, Carrick and Anderson in the pecking order for me. And if Hargreaves can come back he'll be behind him too so he's got a fight on his hands, but I expect he'll be around for a couple more years for sure.

Macheda signs new deal

Teenage striker agrees extension to stay at Old Trafford until 2014

Manchester United striker Federico Macheda has signed a four-year contract extension to stay with the Premier League champions until 2014.

Macheda announced himself as a potential star of the future last season when making a stunning impact on his United debut.

The Italian teenager was introduced as a substitute against Aston Villa in April and scored a dramatic injury-time winner which played a key role in United going on to secure a hat-trick of top-flight titles.

He followed that up with another decisive contribution against Sunderland just a week later and he also started the FA Cup semi-final against Everton.

This season, the 18-year-old has made five appearances for United, although he has yet to feature in the Premier League.

Macheda was a second-half replacement for Dimitar Berbatov in Tuesday's Carling Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur, having started against Wolves and Barnsley in previous rounds.

Fantastic talent

He has yet to score this season, but is likely to be given another chance to impress in next week's final UEFA Champions League group game against Wolfsburg.

The emergence of Macheda, who was recently linked with a loan move to Middlesbrough, was highlighted as a key reason why Sir Alex Ferguson did not spend big over the summer.

Ferguson has now rewarded Macheda with a new long-term deal as he looks to secure the futures of the club's most promising youngsters.

The United boss told the club's official website: "We are delighted by the new four-year deal, everyone at the club recognises the fantastic talent he has and we hope to see that develop in the next years, so he becomes a well rounded player."

Macheda added: "I am very happy to commit my future to Manchester United.

"I really enjoyed myself last season when I came on and I hope to get more chances like that and contribute to the team's success."

Good news.

[MojoChin]

Berba is great, and I toyed with having him in a 4-4-2 at the expense of Gibson. I don't think he's got a contribution to make in every game, though, so he'll never be a consistent starter.

Are you serious?! Berbatov has been our best player this season. Everything he does has been brilliant. Berbatov, Rooney, Fletcher and Evra would be the first names on my teamsheet if all are fit.

[Trigg]

Berba is ace, not sure about his new hair do though.