End of the Ferguson Era

**wws** · 07/02/2005, 3:14 PM

I think its unrealistic for people to expect anything else - its a publicly traded company - this is what you get! United fans and various groupings will huff and puff but it doesnt make a whit of difference - money talks and Glazer's just another buyer for a commodity - its not as if the fat cats who own most of it already arent a bunch of profiteering bastids who dnt care a hoot about the club or its traditions - its time united fans woke up to business realities

**Longfordian** · 07/02/2005, 3:42 PM

While to a certain extent it's been inevitable since flotation a main reason for United fans' opposition is that Glazer is esentially hoping to buy the club and use the club and its assets to pay off his costs accrued in buying it, leaving him with control of an £800m company with feck all personal investment from himself. Most revenues generated would go back into paying his enormous loans, meaning hugely jacked up ticket prices and feck all money being spent on the team, it's not like it's going to be an Abramovich situation.

At least at the moment it's being run prudently and making good profits each year, hard to see how that would continue if it were saddled with hundreds of millions worth of debt. He was talking about a sale and lease back of the ground in his previous bid, it's disaster waiting to happen

**Macy** · 08/02/2005, 7:29 AM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

Well I wouldn’t bet against him getting the club. He's been bidding for them for over a year now, each time he's rejected he comes back with an even bigger offer.

No he hasn't - the bid isn't bigger, just has the debt structured in a different way. I remain hopeful that the board will not recommend this to the shareholders. If they do recommend it, let the dirty war begin in earnest.

**wws** · 08/02/2005, 8:59 AM

they can only refuse it if they have some bona fide financial objection apparnetly - the deal this time is financed more on his assets than man uniteds existing - so looks a no brainer

I look forward to the companys aggressive expansion into the United States and the moving of the franchise to Albaquerke (sp?)

**thejollyrodger** · 09/03/2005, 11:29 AM

Man Utd have probles all over the pitch. They need a new keeper, a brilliant keeper to start with. Howard might be ok for a number 2.

In the center of the park the need a new holding midfield player, I dont think Roy is pulling the strings like he used to. A replacement for scholes is needed too. Giggs is passed it, rarely produces it now. Ronaldo is a wait and see, he has all the flicks but isnt very effective.

RVN is world class and just needs a few games. Rooney has yet to prove himself at the highest level (i.e champions league) and I dont rate him yet as good as RVN. Probably just needs another season or two.

Fergie has to go IMO, look at the United bench versus Milans bench, all the crap players fergie bought when they are clearly not up to the job. Too many poor decisons from an old man IMO. I cant see United challanging for Europe for a few more seasons

**anto1208** · 09/03/2005, 12:50 PM

fergie has made 2 huge mistakes this season 1 buying rooney instead of a keeper a defender and a midfeilder . 2 was his tactics at old trafford in the first leg .

plus all the bad buys he has made jemba jemba kleberson miller silvestre howard .

**OwlsFan** · 09/03/2005, 12:57 PM

If he had put out his strongest side against Fernabace in the last game he would not have been facing AC Milan but Werder Bremen instead. He would have beatne them and with Van Nettlesoup back match fit his team would have been better prepared.

Whatever would Mick mcCarthy say about such a naieve decision

**Closed Account 2** · 09/03/2005, 1:34 PM

Originally Posted by thejollyrodger

I cant see United challanging for Europe for a few more seasons

I agree with that, they seem to be standing still in terms of ability while a lot of the other big teams around them (Juve, Milan, Barca, Chelsea) have improved. He's brought 3 strikers (Smith, Saha and Rooney) over the past year or so each costing a significant amount of money, when he might have been better investing in one of either a decent goalie, holding midfielder or center back.

**Eire06** · 09/03/2005, 1:40 PM

That was the nail in the coffin last night

Wonder when will Fergie retire??

Will he wait and see can united come back..
Should have done it 2 seasons ago when united were still doing well and end on a high..

**Duffer** · 09/03/2005, 2:11 PM

Eh jumping the gun or wha?
They've been beaten by the team who imo will go on and lift the cl, milan are a world class side much higher standard side than united at the moment.
As for Giggs being past it he's just recovered from injury before that he was in flying form scoring in I think 4 of the previous games, I'm sure someone will have the correct stats.
Fergie has fluffed up on the buying this season but when hasn't he, he's always tended to get excited and buy one too many of what was required.
This situation is not alien to united it's just now they have competition who when they slip up are there to slip ahead up until 4 or 5 years ago this wasn't the case and united could afford the slip ups.
I wouldn't be putting fergie into the retirement home just yet I have faith he'll be back.

**M@ttitude** · 09/03/2005, 2:11 PM

Looks like united will get a big cash injection in the summer after Glazer takes over, so they'll get a keeper then (hopefully save Given from that dyer team he's at), Then all they need really is a Keano replacement, next year could be Millers year, Keane and Fergie really rate him. I hate the Man U scum but I can see them bouncing back next year and surprising everyone.

**Poor Student** · 09/03/2005, 2:52 PM

Originally Posted by M@ttitude

Then all they need really is a Keano replacement, next year could be Millers year, Keane and Fergie really rate him.

Believe it or not Liam Miller is now 24 and has yet to have ever established himself as regular in his professional career. It's getting a bit late for it to be his year.

**M@ttitude** · 09/03/2005, 2:55 PM

His first season wasn't a success at united!! Didnt really get enough time to show himself with man u going through the menopause, but just dont write him off yet.

**pete** · 09/03/2005, 9:25 PM

Manchester Uinted haven't made a CL final since they were lucky to win it. Think they've only made one semi final since then too. Ironically they seem to have tightened their defense but with all their forwards now lack goals.

Keane will only get worse, Giggs and Scholes haven't the motivation anymore.

**Thunderblaster** · 16/03/2005, 11:42 PM

Good riddance to Ferguson when he goes and long live the demise of Manchester United. The pomp and arrogance since 1990 was disgusting.

**stojkovic** · 18/03/2005, 9:52 AM

Originally Posted by pete

Manchester Uinted haven't made a CL final since they were lucky to win it. Think they've only made one semi final since then too. Ironically they seem to have tightened their defense but with all their forwards now lack goals.

Keane will only get worse, Giggs and Scholes haven't the motivation anymore.

Since United won it in 1999, they have only won ONE match over two legs. Forget that group stage nonsense. The beat Deportivo in the QFs in 2001. Every other year they have been knocked out 'at the first hurdle'.

**Hibs4Ever** · 18/03/2005, 9:59 AM

I see Fergie is in the paper today slagging off Chelsea. AGAIN. Such a bitter, jealous pr*ck

**Colm55** · 18/03/2005, 1:54 PM

Originally Posted by Thunderblaster

Good riddance to Ferguson when he goes and long live the demise of Manchester United. The pomp and arrogance since 1990 was disgusting.

..... all hail the new pomp and arrogance of Chelsea .....

**Closed Account 2** · 20/04/2005, 10:39 PM

They looked shocking tonight, their "star" defender was beaten all ends up for the Everton goal, they were blunt upfront didnt look like doing anything in terms of scoring.

Two of the supposedly clamer "older heads" got sent off, Neville should have known you cant kick the ball into the crowd like that when play is stopped. Scholes essentially just kicked Kilbane in the balls and that is always going to be at least a yellow, Ronaldo booked for another blatent dive...

That team looks a pale shadow of its former strength, and with major signings needed in central midfield, goalkeeper and perhaps a central defender in the summer, where will all the money come from to sign those players ? Their PLC have said they blew all the money on Rooney... They have three basic choices, get money by loaning against the ground/season ticket sales etc, get money by selling players, or sell the club to new investors. If they dont rebuild the team urgently they'll get left behind in Europe and the Premiership.