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Why? Well, because this is the longest period of time United have EVER gone without winnning the premiership. And if you look at our recent form, that's not going to change.
Man United's glory days came at the time of "You Can't win anything with kids". We had a young team coached by a young manager still trying to prove himself at the club. From 1991-1999 all that mattered at Man United was winning. Watch the replays of the goals we scored, there used to be such team spirit. Roy Keane would scream at everyone oin the pitch even more than he does nowadays. Schmiceal would roar at his defenders, and Alex Ferguson would leap into the air and run on the pitch to dance with any silverware.
Remember 1999? No other English team has beaten that season to date. That was the season when Manchester United really proved themselves. When all hope was lost in the F.A cup final, and then again the European Final, we kept fighting and scraped those goals. It wasn't about money or beating chelsea, it was the "never say die" spirit man u seems to have lost in recent seasons.
Where are we now? We have "better" players joining from around the world. Ruud, Christiano, Park, Rio, Silvestre. Many from different countries, different leagues, who come to this club because it gave them the best offer. What happened to the days when the club was mostly for the fans of the club? Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Dennis Irwin, Peter Schmeical! The first three came up through the youth ranks as die-hard supporters of the club, and the last two came and stayed because they loved it! Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes as well. Even today players like Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham will be referred to on MOTD as "Ex-reds". PLayers that loved the club but moved on. Remember when Teddy Sheringham playing for Spurs at Old Trafford walked to the home dug-out when he was substituted? That's the sort of player we should have never gotten rid of.
So how do we fix this shabby state of affairs at the moment? In my opinion, Sir Alex need to aim for that 1999 season. Introduce talented players from the youth teams who love the club, whose dream it is to play for Manchester United. Make sure we have a keeper who isn't afraid to hurl abuse at his defence if they're not doing the job! Bring in the sort of man who will fight until the very final wistle for the season changing goal! Manchester United has more talent than we need! It is the attitude; the love for the club, the desire to win, that his slipped and I feel is what United needs to become the greatest team in English football once again.
That's the United Attitude of 1999 we all know and love, If we can keep it up every match, we will win the league. Garunteed. We proved today that United are still the best team there is in England when we're on top form. Because it wasn't as if Chelsea played poorly!
> And Smedlos, I think you're Spot on. Man U need their motivation and
> desire back, then we can start winning again. Like we did today! Woo!
The way they played today compared to the last 2 games was the Man U of old. Smith was fired up and Rooney was his usual 100% committed self and it showed. OK Chelsea piled it on thick in the second half and Man U looked a little ragged but Van Der Sar pulled off some incredible saves to keep them ahead.
The roar around Old Trafford at the final whistle was outstanding and for once even Fergie couldn't keep his emotions in check and bounded down the steps to celebrate.
I still think any team will do well to catch Chelsea but after today it's that little bit more likely.
> Lukeman wrote:
> So how do we fix this shabby state of affairs at the moment?
>
> I say just get smith to break lampards' legs today!
>
> Will give the rest a chance anyway!
Amen Ortega...Amen!! XD
And Smedlos, I think you're Spot on. Man U need their motivation and desire back, then we can start winning again. Like we did today! Woo!
End of an era? Sadly seeming to be that way.
> So how do we fix this shabby state of affairs at the moment?
I say just get smith to break lampards' legs today!
Will give the rest a chance anyway!
>I don't really agree about your criticism of Van der Sar
OK, I didn't put that bit very well. I wasn't trying to criticise Van der Sar, in fact on more than one occasion this season I've chanted "Van der Sar is our God". What I meant was just to say, maybe he could learn to yell and motivate more like Peter used to. It's not really a criticism, just an area for improvement.
> In terms of youth, Sir Alex could hardly be playing more!Darren
> Fletcher has featured quite heavily in the first team and has looked
> sharp. Kieran Richardson is playing a fair bit and again he looks a
> very good player. And Fergie has played other youngsters like Phil
> Baardsley and I don't think he's even looked that good. The truth is,
> Man U's youth isn't the same crop as fifteen years ago and that's just
> how it is.
Fletcher I'll give you, he's very good. But Richardson hasn't been playing that much, just the odd start and off the bench occasionally. I agree with you about Bardsley. But that's three youth players! 15 years ago we had Becks, Giggs, Scholes, Butt, the two Nevilles ALL coming out of the ranks. That's over half of the team being trusted to young players! I think that would be a good move to try again, as these youth players train day in day out with each other, and so are already a team that can read each other's moves the way Beckham and Neville used to. There's no point chucking in Bardsley at Right Back when he has little idea how best to link up with Ronaldo, that's a bad idea.
> So how do we fix this shabby state of affairs at the moment? In my
> opinion, Sir Alex need to aim for that 1999 season. Introduce
> talented players from the youth teams who love the club, whose dream
> it is to play for Manchester United. Make sure we have a keeper who
> isn't afraid to hurl abuse at his defence if they're not doing the
> job! Bring in the sort of man who will fight until the very final
> wistle for the season changing goal! Manchester United has more
> talent than we need! It is the attitude; the love for the club, the
> desire to win, that his slipped and I feel is what United needs to
> become the greatest team in English football once again.
Yeah that's not a bad 'article' Lukeman, certainly not until the last paragraph. I don't really agree about your criticism of Van der Sar, his obvious height stature, strength and speed in my opinion make him one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world - if not the best. He's been sublime for United this season, I can only think of one mistake he made at 'Boro but he's been so consistent all season. In terms of youth, Sir Alex could hardly be playing more! Talented Darren Fletcher has featured quite heavily in the first team and has looked sharp. Kieran Richardson is playing a fair bit and again he looks a very good player. And Fergie has played other youngsters like Phil Baardsley and I don't think he's even looked that good. The truth is, Man U's youth isn't the same crop as fifteen years ago and that's just how it is.
Why? Well, because this is the longest period of time United have EVER gone without winnning the premiership. And if you look at our recent form, that's not going to change.
Man United's glory days came at the time of "You Can't win anything with kids". We had a young team coached by a young manager still trying to prove himself at the club. From 1991-1999 all that mattered at Man United was winning. Watch the replays of the goals we scored, there used to be such team spirit. Roy Keane would scream at everyone oin the pitch even more than he does nowadays. Schmiceal would roar at his defenders, and Alex Ferguson would leap into the air and run on the pitch to dance with any silverware.
Remember 1999? No other English team has beaten that season to date. That was the season when Manchester United really proved themselves. When all hope was lost in the F.A cup final, and then again the European Final, we kept fighting and scraped those goals. It wasn't about money or beating chelsea, it was the "never say die" spirit man u seems to have lost in recent seasons.
Where are we now? We have "better" players joining from around the world. Ruud, Christiano, Park, Rio, Silvestre. Many from different countries, different leagues, who come to this club because it gave them the best offer. What happened to the days when the club was mostly for the fans of the club? Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Dennis Irwin, Peter Schmeical! The first three came up through the youth ranks as die-hard supporters of the club, and the last two came and stayed because they loved it! Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes as well. Even today players like Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham will be referred to on MOTD as "Ex-reds". PLayers that loved the club but moved on. Remember when Teddy Sheringham playing for Spurs at Old Trafford walked to the home dug-out when he was substituted? That's the sort of player we should have never gotten rid of.
So how do we fix this shabby state of affairs at the moment? In my opinion, Sir Alex need to aim for that 1999 season. Introduce talented players from the youth teams who love the club, whose dream it is to play for Manchester United. Make sure we have a keeper who isn't afraid to hurl abuse at his defence if they're not doing the job! Bring in the sort of man who will fight until the very final wistle for the season changing goal! Manchester United has more talent than we need! It is the attitude; the love for the club, the desire to win, that his slipped and I feel is what United needs to become the greatest team in English football once again.