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[Falch]

I can't watch these crappy matches anymore. The U19 European Championship was at least exciting to watch.

Yeah, Holland - Nigeria is a borefest. :/

 

[Osorio]

Ummm, Colorado. We have the players IMHO to win, we have the money, we have the ties to fucking Arsenal, and we have the Man God Clavagina as our manager...yet we are 2nd from the fucking bottom.

Are you kidding me man?! Do you know who we've had on this team?! We're in the largest media market in the country and we don't win shit. We play in what is now the worst stadium to play in with terrible security. Colorado has at least made it to a MLS Cup Final. The best we've ever done was get to a US Open Cup Final.

 

[Karakand]

Sno got red carded.

U-S-A U-S-A U-S-A.

 

[Cedeo]

Ronaldo: The Full Interview

Ronaldo did an interview with the Manchester Evening News.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1061558_ronaldo_the_full_interview

Sir Alex Ferguson said this week that it was 'the end of the matter' and that Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing at Manchester United next season. Is this true?

Yes. My coach was kind enough to come and see me in Lisbon a few days ago, which I think is common knowledge.

It was a very honest conversation between two people that respect one other and that I'm sure share a mutual affection and friendship. What we said to each other will remain private.

Sir Alex listened to me, I listened to him and we established that the best for both sides would be for me to continue at Old Trafford. So, I can confirm that I'll be playing for Manchester United next season.

And before there are any rumours and speculation about me staying against my will, I want to make one thing clear: whoever says or writes anything to that effect is lying.

I'll be playing at Manchester United with my heart and soul. I will fight and honour the shirt with the same desire and dedication as I always have.

And how do you think the people at Real Madrid will feel hearing you say that you're staying at Manchester United?

I want to say that I was the one that was responsible for all this controversy. It wasn't their fault because it was me that said publicly that I wanted to move to Real Madrid.

It was also me, although wholly unintentionally, that caused the friction between the two clubs.

Your statements after the Champions League final and during and after the European Championship demonstrated your enormous desire to leave Manchester United and move to Real Madrid. What did you actually want?

I knew that Real Madrid were interested in signing me and that they had, allegedly, made a very substantial offer to Manchester United.

For a while, I wanted Manchester to accept the offer and for me to move to Madrid. If I denied it I would be deceiving everyone, including myself.

Anyone who knows me knows that it would have to be something very important for me to admit such a thing.

If there's one thing I've never been - nor do I ever want to be - it is ungrateful.

Manchester United - from the Glazer family, the directors, namely David Gill, to the coaches, team-mates and backroom staff - is a club that will always be dear to my heart. Whatever happens in the future, that will never change.

I'm very aware of what this club has done for me and I'll be eternally grateful, come what may.

But it was because of this, because I knew this club was different and extraordinarily human, that I hoped that my wishes and my reasons would be understood.

And what were the reasons that made you want to leave?

After we'd won the Champions League, I felt that in five years I had helped win everything there was to win.

We'd won the Premier League twice and I'd won a host of individual awards, including the best goalscorer in the Premier League, Champions League and in Europe. So I felt that maybe I needed a new challenge.

I never hid the fact that I wanted to play in Spain, at Real Madrid in particular, and I thought this could be the right moment. Manchester United and Real are probably the two biggest clubs in the world and it would never be an easy decision to make.

Apart from the challenge, everyone realises that Spanish and Portuguese culture and lifestyle are more similar. Those were the reasons that made me consider the change.

Nothing else? The attraction of an even more generous wage that Real Madrid are said to be willing to pay, for example?

I'm aware that, whatever the circumstances, there will always be speculation about me.

I knew that there would always be someone who'd say that my main concern was making more money. Others would insist that my vanity couldn't resist being linked to the biggest transfer fee of all time at the age of 23.

Of course I am proud to see my work recognised, but none of this had any major effect on what I wanted. In fact, if it was just a question of money,

I would never leave Manchester United. Apart from the reasons I've just given, I also have to recognise that my family would welcome the change.

The chance of being an hour's flight from my mother and the rest of my family was very attractive, even more so playing for a club like Real Madrid.

I know I have to deal with these circumstances, even though it's difficult sometimes, but it's harder to ask the same of the people I love the most.

The best proof of what I've just said is the fact that I've just made a major investment in a house in Manchester, even though I didn't have to.

I did it not just for my own comfort but also for those closest to me. The people at Manchester United, particularly the manager, understood my reasons.

But we all eventually concluded that I should continue to wear that No7 United shirt. It's no sacrifice for me, it's a great honour. I have important things to win in England.

I will give everything I have to Manchester United. I want to defend the European title and help United become world champion, not forgetting the Premier League and other competitions.

Are you afraid of the reception you'll get from the Manchester United fans?

No, to be honest. It's possible but I hope it doesn't happen. I know I'm a good professional, I know that no one's harder on me than myself and that's never going to change, under any circumstances.

The high point of my career was winning the Champions League. No one will ever erase that from my memory, in the same way that no one will ever erase the fact that I did it in a Manchester United shirt.

What I said publicly, which was maybe a little naive, I take total responsibility for.

People have to understand one thing: at the age of 18 I arrived at a dream club like Manchester United. It was a dream come true.

But, even at that moment, I was thinking about playing in England for some years and then going to play in Spain. Even at that time I was thinking that way, and I always gave 100 per cent everything.

Why lie? I'm not going to be a hypocrite and say the opposite of what I think, like some others do.

I said exactly what I thought: I have a dream of playing at Real and I thought it was time to move on. People can't be upset about me fulfilling a childhood dream.

But would it be fair for Manchester United to lose you while you are still under contract?

I'm very aware of what this club has done for me. I'll be forever grateful.

Manchester United and its fans can be sure that I'll never forget them, no matter what happens. They're special and they'll always have a place here [puts hand on heart].

In fact, I confess that one of the reasons I had the courage to say what I did was the fact that Manchester United would be fairly compensated.

The figure mentioned, which would be a world record, would serve as some compensation for the debt of gratitude that I owe the club, as least in material terms.

I'm going to say something here that I've never told anybody: if we hadn't been European champions I probably wouldn't have even thought about going to Madrid.

And there is something else that should be mentioned: I never wanted to leave against United's will.

When they turned down the offer, the people at United made it very clear how much they wanted me. I didn't fully understand it at the time, but now I can really appreciate it.

But you agreed with Sepp Blatter when the president of Fifa said that long-term contracts between players and clubs were a form of "modern slavery"?

That makes no sense, nor do I believe that's what he meant, as he himself has already stated.

My comment was about something else. I was saying that players should be where they feel happy. Nothing more.

Sir Alex Ferguson was always intransigent and denied any possibility of a transfer ... Believe me, it makes me proud to know how much he thinks of me.

And he knows I feel exactly the same way about him. He has been one of the most important people in my playing career. Not only because of what I've learnt and continue to learn from him in sporting terms but also in human ones as well.

I love the passion he has for football. If it were humanly possible I would like to have him always by my side.

Of course it's not possible but it shows how much affection, admiration and respect I have for him. He has always been like a second father to me at Manchester United.

I'll never forget that it was him that explained the significance of the No7 United shirt, which will always be my shirt.

When I was at Sporting I had a number of offers, some of them very lucrative. One of them offered eight million Euros just as a signing on fee and meant that I would play for Sporting for one more year and then leave as a free agent.

But money isn't everything. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter, Milan, Juventus, Valencia and practically all the big clubs were also interested.

At the time, Jorge Mendes explained that Manchester United also wanted me and that Sir Alex Ferguson had told him that he would be very careful with my playing career.

So I would play at least 50 per cent of the games in the first season, which is what happened. This shows that I also chose Manchester United and that money wasn't the deciding factor.

Alongside my agent [Mendes], Sir Alex Ferguson has been the most important person I've ever known in my career.

Because of this, because of the special relationship that exists between us, I know that he'll understand that there are times when a father has to worry only about what's best for his child.

The Spanish press continues to say that your future is at Real Madrid

There's no point in making predictions. It's not worth speculating because nothing is set in stone and things change all the time in football.

Today there are opportunities that no one knows if they will come round again in the future.

There are only two certainties: I'll be playing at Manchester United, a club I'm proud to represent; Real Madrid will continue to be a great club without me and I will continue to admire the Spanish club, as I have done since I was a boy.

I'm saying what I think and I hope that all the speculation will stop. The press has written some terrible things about me and about this whole thing. They've invented a thousand and one things and that's one of the reasons why I decided to talk about this now.

And people can be sure of one thing: everything I've said comes from the bottom of my heart and is the only truth.

Which means you don't exclude the possibility the dream of playing for Madrid?

I'm 100 per cent professional and I've always given my heart and soul to this club.

I even played a major part of the season injured, which was verified by my operation.

I played in excruciating pain while taking anti-inflammatory medication every day. And I'd do it again if necessary.

This club deserves it because the United staff and the fans are fantastic, not forgetting the affection and respect I have for Sir Alex Ferguson.

If one day I leave the club, I want to do it knowing that I did everything I could to help the club win as much as possible.

If that happens, I'll leave with the feeling of having done my duty to the maximum.

 

[hadareud]

sounds very honest to me.

Though I don't think he's doing himself to many favours by stating over and over again how much he would like to play for Real and how he would have liked to move there this summer.

I doubt the majority of Manyoo supporters will take to kindly to that.

In all honesty it sounds like a goodbye letter. He'll be gone next year. But you have to appreciate how open he is.

 

[marmaraS]

i can see why in some ways he wants to leave, he has practically won everything with United, the title twice, and that is fair i believe. But he should not leave in the manner Real Madrid tried to do it.

I hope he has another good season (though this year he isn't in my EPL fantasy team), but i fear for United fans it may be his last at the club.

 

[Cedeo]

If it his last, so be it, he would've had 6 great seasons with the club and won everything and would (most likely) be named World Player of the year in the a United shirt.

We'd of had another season of growth for Nani & Anderson, who both could turn out to be in the same league as Ronaldo, plus the transfer funds would tidy the squad over for more success.

 

[kaizoku]

sounds very honest to me.

Though I don't think he's doing himself to many favours by stating over and over again how much he would like to play for Real and how he would have liked to move there this summer.

I doubt the majority of Manyoo supporters will take to kindly to that.

In all honesty it sounds like a goodbye letter. He'll be gone next year. But you have to appreciate how open he is.

one thing which pisses me off about some Utd fan reactions (and football fans/society in general) is that they will take these comments as some kind of insult. It really sad.

A teenager might say his ideal would be to get married to a decent woman, have an ok job, a boy and 2 girls and a pet dog in future. Thats his dream scenario.

But he might never get married, he may marry 3 times and have 2 kids with each woman and no one knows how happy/unhappy he'd be in any of those situations or variations of.

So what Ronaldo dreams of is simply an ideal. Just as he once dreamed of playing for Benfica, Sporting Lisbon eventually became the club he holds dear. He's stated his desires from the start, but no one knows the road he'll walk, including himself.

As long as he isnt rocking the boat in an attempt to force a move, I'm happy. He might not sign a new deal with Utd, or he might decide Madrid are no longer appealing when a move becomes possible. and he's too hungry and ambitious to not try to win every game in whatever shirt he is wearing.

 

[Blackhead]

sounds very honest to me.

Though I don't think he's doing himself to many favours by stating over and over again how much he would like to play for Real and how he would have liked to move there this summer.

I doubt the majority of Manyoo supporters will take to kindly to that.

In all honesty it sounds like a goodbye letter. He'll be gone next year. But you have to appreciate how open he is.

Really? If he had given that interview immediately after the Champions League finally I doubt Man Utd would have been able to keep him. I'm tossing this in the same pile as Adebayo's kissing the badge gesture

 

[Blackhead]

one thing which pisses me off about some Utd fan reactions (and football fans/society in general) is that they will take these comments as some kind of insult. It really sad.

A teenager might say his ideal would be to get married to a decent woman, have an ok job, a boy and 2 girls and a pet dog in future. Thats his dream scenario.

But he might never get married, he may marry 3 times and have 2 kids with each woman and no one knows how happy/unhappy he'd be in any of those situations or variations of.

So what Ronaldo dreams of is simply an ideal. Just as he once dreamed of playing for Benfica, Sporting Lisbon eventually became the club he holds dear. He's stated his desires from the start, but no one knows the road he'll walk, including himself.

As long as he isnt rocking the boat in an attempt to force a move, I'm happy. He might not sign a new deal with Utd, or he might decide Madrid are no longer appealing when a move becomes possible. and he's too hungry and ambitious to not try to win every game in whatever shirt he is wearing.

of course it's an insult. it's more like the grown teenager telling his wife he always had a dream of fucking her sister and the opportunity presented itself

 

[hadareud]

possibly, although Adebayor is denying everything and his guilty conscience lead him to the badge kissing thing.

Ronaldo does sound honest, but maybe he just has much better PR people telling him what to say.

 

[Ronok]

one thing which pisses me off about some Utd fan reactions (and football fans/society in general) is that they will take these comments as some kind of insult. It really sad.

A teenager might say his ideal would be to get married to a decent woman, have an ok job, a boy and 2 girls and a pet dog in future. Thats his dream scenario.

But he might never get married, he may marry 3 times and have 2 kids with each woman and no one knows how happy/unhappy he'd be in any of those situations or variations of.

So what Ronaldo dreams of is simply an ideal. Just as he once dreamed of playing for Benfica, Sporting Lisbon eventually became the club he holds dear. He's stated his desires from the start, but no one knows the road he'll walk, including himself.

As long as he isnt rocking the boat in an attempt to force a move, I'm happy. He might not sign a new deal with Utd, or he might decide Madrid are no longer appealing when a move becomes possible. and he's too hungry and ambitious to not try to win every game in whatever shirt he is wearing.

Comments that annoy me are not ones stating the feelings of a player toward a club, but, rather comments which are inconsiderate toward the club they are leaving and especially the fans which have been supporting the player whilst at the club.

Saying it's your dream to play for a club is fine as long as you aren't offending the place you're leaving at the same time.


That's assuming the place they are leaving treated them with respect.....

 

[Ronok]

of course it's an insult. it's more like the grown teenager telling his wife he always had a dream of fucking her sister and the opportunity presented itself

What? That's completely different. lol

possibly, although Adebayor is denying everything and his guilty conscience lead him to the badge kissing thing.

Ronaldo does sound honest, but maybe he just has much better PR people telling him what to say.

I still don't see the problem with the badge kissing thing. Adebayor has never even hinted at a lack of love for the club. He's suggested there are other teams he would be willing to play at but he's always maintained he loves playing at Arsenal, the fans, the people within the club etc...... :-/

 

[Osorio]

How many teams in England are going through administration? It seems ridiculous just watching Sky Sports News.

 

[hadareud]

I still don't see the problem with the badge kissing thing. Adebayor has never even hinted at a lack of love for the club. He's suggested there are other teams he would be willing to play at but he's always maintained he loves playing at Arsenal, the fans, the people within the club etc...... :-/

it's not a problem, just bad timing. I know what he wanted to say but our supporters weren't quite ready for that yet.

I don't care, I'm not outraged like some others, that's ridiculous anyway.

 

[TDG]

Man, Olympic soccer is so exciting during the time when it's not being played, but then I turn it on and get reminded of how unexciting it is.

Well, at least we won, even if we did win ugly.

Argentina won as well, 2-1 over Ivory Coast.

My full writeup on the Yankids match is in the Olympics thread but here's the cliff's notes:

-Defense looked bad
-Trying to hold the lead in the second half was bad
-Robbie Rogers is hot shit
-The Dutch are toast on Sunday
-U-S-A U-S-A U-S-A!

Officiating was shit but that looks like it's going to be a problem for the whole tournament.

Robbie Rogers is the man. The Crew are really missing him, he just gives the offense a huge spark.

At least, he did, until he started scoring two goals every game and everyone else in the MLS decided to deck him everytime he got the ball.

 

[Frenck]

Diego played really well against Belgium. He even created the goal. I really wish him luck now that the whole controversy is over.

 

[celestial body]

Giovinco's goal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr6VdahRDaw

 

[Ronok]

How many teams in England are going through administration? It seems ridiculous just watching Sky Sports News.

I haven't really paid attention to lower leagues for a while, but, about 6 months ago when I was watching SSN they were talking about atleast 3 or 4.... :-/ No idea now though.

Really there are too few "local" supporters these days to sustain such a large number of clubs so losing a number of them is bound to happen one day.

it's not a problem, just bad timing. I know what he wanted to say but our supporters weren't quite ready for that yet.

I don't care, I'm not outraged like some others, that's ridiculous anyway.

Most people in the emirates didn't really have a problem with it either. There were maybe a couple of moans, but, I didn't expect to hear so much about it afterwards. lol Most fans were singing his name again at that point.... This after booing him at the start. >.>;;

 

[Frenck]

The German commentator for the Emirates Cup matches was batshit insane by the way. He said Arsenal fans are known for being fairly quiet during matches because they are hard to please. Supposedly Arsenal fans are known throughout the EPL for being almost like the audience at an opera with monocles and shit like that.

He also said that it was the complete opposite at Highbury.

Never heard that stuff before which makes me wonder whether he made it up or if he simply mixed up Arsenal and Manche... uhm Chelsea.

 

[Cedeo]

No stadium in the big four has a particularly good atmosphere due to most of the supporters are there with the family for a 'day out' with a packed lunch and tell people to sit down.

Which is all fine and dandy, just they don't sing or show much emotion.

The away support for such clubs is much better, if not some of the best.

 

[gigapower]

Does ManU not have a famous supporters section? If you go to a Chelsea game and want the "experience" you want to sit in the Shed End.

 

[hadareud]

there's definitely stadiums with a better atmosphere than the Emirates, but it's not as bad as some people would have you believe. Also, Highbury wasn't any different.

Our away support is excellent though, like Cedeo says.

 

[velvet_nitemare]

Supposedly Arsenal fans are known throughout the EPL for being almost like the audience at an opera with monocles and shit like that.

Guess i need me a monocle:lol

 

[Cedeo]

Does ManU not have a famous supporters section? If you go to a Chelsea game and want the "experience" you want to sit in the Shed End.

Stretford End.

The atmosphere would be a lot better if there was standing, but I don't think in the country at least that it will happen. It'd scare off a lot of the supporters I mentioned earlier who sit down and then spend £100 in the megastore on the way out.

 

[Osorio]

I haven't really paid attention to lower leagues for a while, but, about 6 months ago when I was watching SSN they were talking about atleast 3 or 4.... :-/ No idea now though.

Really there are too few "local" supporters these days to sustain such a large number of clubs so losing a number of them is bound to happen one day.

It's a real shame. Sporting culture here is terrible for the most part and I'd like to believe it's not the case in other parts of the world but it looks to be the same over there.

 

[Seep]

No stadium in the big four has a particularly good atmosphere due to most of the supporters are there with the family for a 'day out' with a packed lunch and tell people to sit down.

Which is all fine and dandy, just they don't sing or show much emotion.

The away support for such clubs is much better, if not some of the best.

Clearly you have never been to Anfield.

Best supporters in the world.

YNWA.

 

[MrPing1000]

Indeed, Liverpool, Newcastle and Portsmouth probably the best home fans in the premiership.

Highbury used to be really loud especially on night games, remember us playing them there and it being rather noisu, impressive considering there were no corners. Emirates is dead by comparison.

The Stretford End does try at Old Trafford but the ghostly silence from the south and especially the north dampens it. You'll often here the away fans making more noise. Having said that our away fans are some of the best in the league.

 

[Ryck]

there's definitely stadiums with a better atmosphere than the Emirates, but it's not as bad as some people would have you believe. Also, Highbury wasn't any different.

Our away support is excellent though, like Cedeo says.

That's why people called it "Library" eh?

If it his last, so be it, he would've had 6 great seasons with the club and won everything and would (most likely) be named World Player of the year in the a United shirt.

We'd of had another season of growth for Nani & Anderson, who both could turn out to be in the same league as Ronaldo, plus the transfer funds would tidy the squad over for more success.

I agree with all of this.. he's done his duty if this season is his swan song than I am ok with that.

 

[Seep]

Even Henry has said Anfield is his fave stadium to play at. the atmosphere is untouchable, KOP end in particular.

And when it's a European game, shit no one comes close to that level of intensity. Torres was nearly crying with emotion last season.

It makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end and sends shivers down your spine.

 

[Wes]

Mwahahaha fear us, everyone! For this year, we will actually have dedicated full backs.

 

[Great King Bowser]

That's why people called it "Library" eh?

Pre-Wenger era tbh.

 

[Ryck]

acorns bitches!

 

[Wes]

acorns bitches!

acorns > unicef

Take that Barca!

 

[MrSardonic]

When is someone going to see sense and sticky this thread?!

 

[gigapower]

When is someone going to see sense and sticky this thread?!

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

 

[Steroyd]

When is someone going to see sense and sticky this thread?!

It might hurt American pride, if a European centric thread was top of the sticky pile, in post count and viewed.

 

[Cerebral Assassin]

Anyone watching England Vs Germany Legends?

 

[QVT]

When is someone going to see sense and sticky this thread?!

what is your problem we had this discussion last year you started a fucking thread about it. none of us want it. you don't post here ever so go away in full it's better

 

[Squirrel Killer]

When is someone going to see sense and sticky this thread?!

Do we have to go through this shit again?

 

[hadareud]

MrSardonic didn't start any threads about this.

It's a legitimate question, no need to jump on people for asking it. But as in the past it's probably better to remain unstickied

 

[velvet_nitemare]

Plus the thread is always on page 1 or 2 anyway.

 

[Ronok]

Emirates orange quadrant lower tier far corner is the best section. There are some games where it's not very noisy, but, in quite a few games I've been to there has been a very good atmosphere. Other times some people can make you feel bad for cheering. lololol

 

[NekoFever]

No stadium in the big four has a particularly good atmosphere due to most of the supporters are there with the family for a 'day out' with a packed lunch and tell people to sit down.

I was at Old Trafford for the Solskjaer testimonial and got told off by someone for standing up

Had to laugh during the match, though, because the Stretford End must have started a "stand up for the champions" chant about ten times during the game. Bastards couldn't tell everyone to sit down :lol

 

[Batongen]

So, for the insider-liverpool fans here, when is the Barry transfer saga going to end? Do you think Rafa will find money behind an ol' couch and buy the player before PL starts, because at the moment I just want it to end.

 

[TDG]

It's a real shame. Sporting culture here is terrible for the most part and I'd like to believe it's not the case in other parts of the world but it looks to be the same over there.

Yeah, it's unfortunate, and it's a trend that I don't really think will reverse. As stadiums get larger and tickets get more expensive, all of a sudden you have stadiums filled with corporate types, and people who wanted something to do with their families for a day.

Hell, just about every sport in the states is "sit down and shut up unless your team scores." The only sport that hasn't really gotten to that point yet is college (american) football.

 

[woodchuck]

The only sport that hasn't really gotten to that point yet is college (american) football.

yeah and that's pretty much due to the age group of the fans. corporations and rich people have killed most sports stadiums. at least sports bars are still fun to go to.

 

[Daigoro]

I'm not really sure why you're taking this so personally, I wasn't insulting you or your 15 friends that make up your supporter's section. I mean, I don't like the Revs because they're always good, and their attendance makes the MLS look bad. A guy on the internet doesn't like your sports team of choice. Get the fuck over it.

believe me i didnt lose any sleep over it last night. you're just some internet douche bag who happens to be a Cows fan. you've got problems of your own to deal with. dont act like im somehow hurt by your inane ravings.

you're the one who was supposedly soooo concerned about attendace and how it poorly reflects on MLS, and yet you admitted to not attending that many games. its like communicating with a tree stump here. still dont see the connection i presume?

s'ok im done, and your team still sucks. go tip a cow or something.

 

[Daigoro]

thats cool.

is that commentary/chat box part of the feed or is it a seperate program?

 

[SupahBlah]

Mwahahaha fear us, everyone! For this year, we will actually have dedicated full backs.

:lol Oh shit FULL BACKS?!

This must feel new for you, its been a while.