Charity Shield – Manchester United 0 Portsmouth 0

I used to love the charity shield.
It was always the first chance to see new signings kick a meaningful ball for their new team and a good spectacle for the neutral fan.

These days it’s quite low key. You can’t watch it on terestrial tv, the players barely seem motivated and the managers barely break a smile even when they win!

Todays match between two clubs who I believe can both finish high this season, was a largely lack lustre performance. United though to their credit did just about all they could to at least try to make it entertaining. Nani in particular looks as though he will comfortably fill any void left by Ronaldo whilst he is injured and replace him totally next season when the Portugeuse superstar may well finally get his move to Real Madrid.

United are an amazing team, Ferguson truly is a man who can find and build amazing squads and this season if they can quickly snap up a world class finisher, they could win just about everything going.
There’s much talk about the berbatov deal still floating around and I would see him slotting in there much like Van Nistelrooy did. I’m sure he’d be a success, but what I would really like to see is a goal poacher, an out and out striker like Michael Owen play up front for Man United.

Portsmouth are a team I have high hopes for this season. I’m sure crouchy and Defoe can be a hit although based on todays showing, they will need a much better provision from the players behind them. Sol Campbell finally looks his age but Redknapp is no mug. He knows when a player is spent and when he is not.

So to cap it off, it was a thoroughly deserved win for United today but he’my advice to any clubs who watched this and say united are nothing to fear better think again. If they get their allusive striker sorted out they will rip you to bits this season.

Hull City – Eye of the Tigers is on Campbell

Premier League newcomers Hull City have not given up hope of prizing striker Fraizer Campbell away from Manchester United before the transfer deadline.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had revealed that the 20-year-old is definitely in his future plans.

But Tigers chairman Paul Duffen says Campbell, who spent last season on loan at the KC Stadium, could still return.

He told BBC Radio Humberside: “It was the best way for Sir Alex to get it off the agenda with the media.”

Huddersfield-born Campbell was the Tigers’ leading scorer last season and set up the goal that saw Hull promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history when they beat Bristol City 1-0 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

But the player has always said that he wants to try to force his way into the thoughts of Sir Alex at Old Trafford.

However, if he does become surplus to requirements at the league champions, City are ready to make a move.

Duffen added: “It’s not our call and we’ll wait and see.

“We’ve always thought that Fraizer’s a great talent and that’s why we’re interested in him and personally I don’t think it’s over yet and certainly it will be done or not done within the next few weeks.”

Hull boss Phil Brown added: “I’ve had a lengthy conversation with Sir Alex on Friday and he’s promised he’ll keep me up to speed with things.

“I can only sit and wait and can’t force anyone’s hand and I’m not prepared too. He’s a Manchester United player and he did a great job for us last season and we’ll be there waiting until that door is firmly closed.”

Manchester United and Spurs – £25m for Berbatov

It looks like United will get Berbatov for approximately £25 million.

United have officially started negotiations with Spurs about the Bulgarian striker, although Spurs have apparantly said they will hold out for £28 million.

Ferguson has followed and made enquiries about Berbatov for the past 2 seasons and now appears to be the right time to make an official approach.

I think that Berbatov would be an amazing signing for United, the service he would receive from that team would surely see him hit the 30 goal mark and I see him as the key to deciding whether Ronaldo can go or not.

If they sign Berbatov expect to see Nani start making more appearances as they test the set up for Ronaldo’s departure, and if I am to be totally honest, with Dimitar on the books and Nani maturing into a top player in his own right, I think United can more than survive without Ronaldo.

I think they will have it more their own way this year than they did last year. They got off to a slow start last year, this year I expect to see them come flying out of the blocks and with Chelsea and Arsenal going through quite big changes at the moment I really can’t see Manchester United having much trouble defending their crown as Premier League champions.

And as an Everton supporter that’s not an easy thing to say!!

What do you think about the proposed signing of Berbatov?
Please leave a comment below.

Management – How important is a number 2?

Fergie has announced that there is no rush to find a replacement number 2 at Man Utd, following the departure of Carlos Queiroz.

Queiroz has left to take on the Portugal job, a job I wish him well in. His last appointment at Real Madrid was always a step too far, too soon in my opinion but I do feel he is capable of doing a good job for the Portuguese.

I must say though that I’m not convinced being a good number two automatically means you can go on to be the top man at a club.

We’ve seen this with Queiroz’s first attempt and with other people like Brian Kidd and Steve McClaren.
People who all make superb number two’s, because they are good at relaying information, taking instruction and knowledgable of their opponents. Unfortunately the minute they have not got a good football brain like Fergie’s around to tell them who to sign, when to make a sub or change it around when they go a goal or two behind they stall in the blocks and are just left with an angry mob of fans shouting abuse at them.

I’m not convinced that a number two can automatically go on to be a number one man but I am convinced it’s good for a number one to have a sidekick to help the day to day running of things.

I must say that the fact Fergie is saying he is no rush to take on a replacement to Queiroz, makes me think he may be looking at this as his last season. Leaving the decks clear for a new man to come in next year with his own staff.

Time will tell, one thing for sure though, whether he has help or not Fergie will again be pulling out all the stops to ensure United are the team to beat this year.

Ronaldo – Manchester united say he’s staying put.

It an admirable statement from Manchester United, saying tonight that Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale at any price.

I think Cristiano himself has acted disgracefully. If he intended on staying at United, it would be easy he just calls a press conference and says “I’m staying!”

The very fact that he has not and will not do that must speak volumes to Manchester united fans.

For me he has, as much as I hate to admit it, been the best player in the world in the past year.

Rumours of a £70 million bid from Real Madrid would I am sure make any club agree to sell, but Unitedare not daft.

They know that , in the scheme of things, where having a 40 plus goals a season player in your team almost guarantees you £50 mllion or so from the champions league, £35 million a year for being Premier League champions, and £xx amount of millions from shirt sales and merchandise (even when a player owns his own image rights!), that £70 million bis quickly fades into insignificance.

There are probably only 4 or so teams in the world that could afford to say no, Man Utd being the main one but Real Madrid, Chelsea and Maybe Inter or AC Milan could hold out. Manchester United though I think are the only one that will actually do it.

If he stays though the next argument will come.
Is it worth keeping a player who’s heart lies elsewhere?
Well unfortunately when that player is Cristiano Ronaldo I think the answer is yes.

The fans will understandably be frustrated with him and upset that he seems to do something in every big tournament that makes him more hated but I am sure of one thing.

Any man utd boo boys that shout abuse at him for his behaviour will quickly fade away when the goals start coming again and his next flick and step over puts a flailing defender on his behind.

I never thought I’d praise the Glazers, but well done for supporting your manager and your club. Owners from the likes of Liverpool could learn a lot from them.

But I really really would like to be in the room when Sir Alex gets Mr ronaldo alone for 5 mins!!

Ronaldo – Manchester united say he’s staying put.

It an admirable statement from Manchester United, saying tonight that Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale at any price.

I think Cristiano himself has acted disgracefully. If he intended on staying at United, it would be easy he just calls a press conference and says “I’m staying!”

The very fact that he has not and will not do that must speak volumes to Manchester united fans.

For me he has, as much as I hate to admit it, been the best player in the world in the past year.

Rumours of a £70 million bid from Real Madrid would I am sure make any club agree to sell, but Unitedare not daft.

They know that , in the scheme of things, where having a 40 plus goals a season player in your team almost guarantees you £50 mllion or so from the champions league, £35 million a year for being Premier League champions, and £xx amount of millions from shirt sales and merchandise (even when a player owns his own image rights!), that £70 million bis quickly fades into insignificance.

There are probably only 4 or so teams in the world that could afford to say no, Man Utd being the main one but Real Madrid, Chelsea and Maybe Inter or AC Milan could hold out. Manchester United though I think are the only one that will actually do it.

If he stays though the next argument will come.
Is it worth keeping a player who’s heart lies elsewhere?
Well unfortunately when that player is Cristiano Ronaldo I think the answer is yes.

The fans will understandably be frustrated with him and upset that he seems to do something in every big tournament that makes him more hated but I am sure of one thing.

Any man utd boo boys that shout abuse at him for his behaviour will quickly fade away when the goals start coming again and his next flick and step over puts a flailing defender on his behind.

I never thought I’d praise the Glazers, but well done for supporting your manager and your club. Owners from the likes of Liverpool could learn a lot from them.

But I really really would like to be in the room when Sir Alex gets Mr ronaldo alone for 5 mins!!

More to life than money! David Villa says no to Chelsea.

How refreshing it is to hear that one of the brightest talents in the game, David Villa, will say no to a contract with Chelsea.
I don’t mean that to sound as though I have something against him joining Chelsea, in fact I’d love to see him play in the premier league, but his reasons for declining set an example for others to follow.

Basically he has said I’m really happy in Spain and I’m not interested in moving on for any amount of money.

I bet his agent is still recovering from the shock!!

Any youngsters that are looking for a new role model have the perfect guy here.

In an age where Man Utd can pay their 16 year olds near on a £100,000 a year it’s so easy for young players to lose sight of reality and of the game and take the money from a young age. It’s nice to see a guy say hey I know I live a remarkable life already! There’s only so many big houses and flash cars you can have before it all becomes a bit mundane and if I stay here I can have all that, some nice sunshine and really enjoy my football. If I move to London I have to put up with rain for 3 months of the year, cold for 3 months of the year, rain and cold for 3 months of the year then have a few half decent ones in the summer which I’d probably spend in Spain anyway! Plus I’d probably spend half my time on the bench and pay a fortune in tax and fuel on my lovely motors.

And to cap it all off, you have to admit, it is quite funny that despite all of his billions, Abramovich still can’t afford a modest Villa in Spain!

Scolari takes the Chelsea hotseat.

Luis Felipe Scolari, “Big Phil”, was last night named as Chelsea boss.
The job that nobody wanted was finally filled by the Portugal boss just minutes after Portugals impressive 3-1 win against the Czech Republic.

I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself about his influence in the premier league already.

It all clicked into place, his helping hand at unsettling Ronaldo at United makes sense now. Knowing he was going to be Chelsea boss next season makes him want to get rid of the largest thorn he is likely to encounter, taking 40 goals a season off their nearest rivals is certainly a help.
Saying that the best move to help his career is to go to Real Madrid is a shocking statement, when you realise he was only actually saying that to benefit his own career, not that of Christiano Ronaldo.

So is it a good signing?
Well I think “Big Phil” has a bit to do to actually convince me. Of course the purists will say that he has won the world cup!!! But that was with a team that could have won the world cup managerless. Brazil where a dream team and Scolari moved on quickly after that, knowing expectations would be too much to live up to. In fairness he was right though and things began to fall apart a little after his departure.

His appointment at Portugal has coincided with some outstanding talent emerging. I am sure the Portuguese will be gutted to see him go, and the players I am sure will want to send him out with another trophy.

So why do I suggest I am still to be convinced?
Well I think Brazil and Portugal have spoilt Scolari for choice having world class talent to choose from.
Of course the bank balance at Chelsea ensures he can build a dream team of his own now but it’s the first season that I will be interested in. Will he be able to keep the key players he has and if so will he turn them back into champions?

I think he will be a great cup manager and so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take the European cup this year (although if Ronaldo goes to Madrid I would love to see United meet Real in the final!!) but I am not convinced he can take the league.

Mark Hughes – Has Sparky ignited a fire?

Mark Hughes is a bit of a hero of mine. He was absolutely immense as a player and as a manager he has continued to get the best from his squads.

I always believed he was being somewhat groomed to become the next Manchester United manager and that there was some kind of gentlemans agreement that would see him drafted in in 3 years time when Sir Alex finally walks away.

This week though it emerges Sparky is one of the favourites for two jobs. Chelsea and Manchester City.

I can understand him going to Chelsea, he played for them and the fans loved him there. He was part of the catalyst squad that pushed Chelsea back to the big time and I could quite understand him going there and even believe, though it may be a bitter pill for them to swallow, the Manchester united fans would forgive him if and when he takes the old trafford hot seat.

Manchester City on the other hand is a different matter all together.
Can you imagine if he went to Manchester City and made a success of it???
There’s no way the Old Trafford faithful would let him in as their boss is there??

Sparky by name, Sparky by nature!!

But then again hey it’s Mark Hughes, we can forgive him anything can’t we?

Chelsea Fc – Managerless, who will touch them?

With the departure of Avram Grant this week I can’t help but think that the Chelsea managers job, although probably one of the most financially rewarding jobs in world football, is going to be harder to fill than people might think.

When Mourinho left the club and Avram Grant was given the position of Chelsea Manager, I was quite shocked.
I knew about his background in football, his domestic success in Israel proved he was an intelligent manager, but still to suddenly be instilled as manager of Chelsea in their position at the time raised my eyebrows more than a little.

After a couple of months in the job Avram had quietly stamped his own feel to the squad, continued to grind out decent results and more importantly and remarkably began to win over the Chelsea faithful who still pined for their maestro Jose.

There was none of the controversy from Grant that Jose had following him around. In fact from what I saw over the last season Avram Grant conducted himself impeccably, he finally got Ballack playing football again, something he hadn’t done so far in his time at Chelsea, and more remarkably he dragged Chelsea in the final weeks to compete point for point with what I believe to be the best Manchester United team Sir Alex Ferguson has ever assembled.

Add to that a first ever champions league final appearance that went down to the lottery that is penalties and I’d say it was a remarkable season for Chelsea and Avram Grant. I’m not even going to mention the carling cup final!!

But Mr Abrahomivich wants more, he wants all those trophies and more and unfortunatley he seems to surround himself with people who will say anything to keep him happy. I am absolutely positive Roman has not got to where he is in life through being easily led by hangers on but football is a million miles away from the oil business and he needs to identify an asset when he has it.

So there are a few names in the hat for the job but there’s certainly nobody banging on the Chelsea door shouting “Give it to me!” which has got to be a worry for the Chelsea fans. Rikjaard has been mentioned which I think is ridiculous, he’s just pulled apart the spirit of a great Barcelona team much as he did in the Holland camps when he was a player. Mark Hughes?? well I am a massive fan of Sparky but would he really allow the Chelsea board to control him as much as they like to control a man, he didn’t let it happen for Wales!

So whilst I’m sure there will be plenty of people knocking on Mr Grants door offering him lucrative contracts I’m not too sure there will be as big a queue knocking at the bridge.

So I guess it’s true money can’t buy everything……yet!