Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Hicks was not allowed to refinance with any of the club assets as security which is what he probably tried to do so his trip to quick quid was in vain. Announcement due at Slaughters any minute.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

:clap:

Now lets get back to football, we've got a rather important game on Sunday ;)

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

There are some quite amusing farewell messages for Tom and George on some of the football related boards, obviously most of them unrepeatable on a family forum. Anyway, back to football finally and I would imagine many people who refused to attend the games or provide any financial support while those two asset stripping leeches were in charge will be putting their money behind the club.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

we reached the deadline and were not going to have 9 points taken off us well happy

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

This will drag on. And there is more than enough reasonable suspicion that there's some skull duggery at play.

Broughton was determined to push through the NESV bid even though Peter Lim offered £20m and £40m cash as transfer kitty. He said:
And then Mill Financial who already held Gillet's shares were offering £400m plus pushing through the new stadium. They didn't even get as far as Peter Kim. And these are people with significantly more clout than J W Henry who is scrapping together change down the back of thre sofa to buy the club.

I really don't know whose interests Broughton is looking out for here. But its clear he, appointed by RBS, has not been playing straight. And when you consider his descision cost H&G up £50m each extra, you can see why H&G chose to fight it. Who wouldn't?

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

There was a clearly defined bidding process governed by corporate law so there was no point in Peter Lim hanging around and submitting new bids via his PR machine (twice while the high court was in session) after the bidding process and due diligence had finished. He and others had more than enough time to submit a reasonable offer, it is not eBay.

Mill financial wanted exclusivity in the bidding process which was NOT allowed under the banks conditions of the sale.

The previous owners have technically been in default since Easter and the banks were quite within their rights to put the club into administration back in which case poor old Tom and George would have walked away with another failed business on their record. Instead the bank agreed to a temporary extension to the finance on the basis that the club was sold to repay the debt under strict conditions set by the creditors. At this point the former owners had very little say how things panned out.
If the ill informed in the media, US legal fraternity and elsewhere think they know better than the high court I'm sure they'd be enlightened to hear the reasons.

Lessons for Tom and George to take away:

Don't borrow what you can't afford
Don't partake in asset sweating LBOs of sports teams (franchises as they call them) - it doesn't work
Don't lie
Don't show contempt of a high court ruling
Honour your contracts

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

The Premier League refused to meet Mill, much less grant them 'acceptable owner' status. Are you suggesting that The Premiership is playing some shady game on behalf of RBS as well?

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

No idea if it's already posted but this made me laugh

At Liverpool Airport statue of John Lennon reads "ABOVE US ONLY SKY"

Someone has added "BELOW US ONLY WOLVES AND WEST HAM"

:rofl:

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Gotta love the humour :D

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Rooney looks like he could be on his way out of Old Trafford...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...sit-bench.html

I can't say that I would be surprised should it happen

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

I'm not sure that is a bad thing. Not a man u supporter, but never keen on players who think they are bigger than the club..and i don't see rooney as someone irreplaceable. £50m..might be worth taking..if they could get two others..who is the tricky bit :D

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

If Rooney is sold then that's it, we'll turn in to a team like Spurs. Ok he's had a dip in form but it always returns. As it is right now we have no proven striker and knowing the owners there's no way they'll invest 50m in new players.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Who`s going to pay £50 million quid for someone who only has 18 months left of his contract, which will be 12 months at the end of the season?
I can`t see Man U wanting to sell to another English club, and i doubt anyone could or would be willing to buy him at that price. So that leaves us with Barcelona and Real Madrid who both have plenty of options up front and i don`t think Rooney is regarded with the same fervour on the continent, not at that price anyway!
He could end up doing a Bosman and getting a huge signing on fee if he lets his contract run out, that`s what his agent will be telling him!
More than likely this is just a blip and will be forgotten about in a month or two, who remembered/talked about old slapper till all this recent stuff came out :)

As to the whole Liverpool saga, i personally can`t see it happening in the time frame being banded around if at all.
First off you have a new group of owners who are in this to make money. They have not done this as a hobby or as a trophy asset in which they will invest huge sums without getting a return.
The Liverpool squad at the moment is very ordinary imo and it will take a large influx of top quality players to get them back fighting for the title. Where is the money for these players going to come from and where are the players going to come from?
Players like Xavi Alonso and Macherano don`t grow on trees and getting replacements of a similar quality is going to cost a lot, then there is the stadium, is a new one going to be built or will Anfield be extended.
Maybe i`m wrong and the past glory days for Liverpool are just around the corner, these guys will plough a couple of hundred million into the club in the chance they might win the champions league and premiership with 3-5 years :erm:

They may have done it with the Boston Red Sox, they probably like baseball more than soccer but that is imo a completely different kettle of fish!

My :2cents:

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

A player totally out of form gets dropped to the bench in a game his side should win without him and hes "on his way out" :rolleyes:

If his name wasn't Wayne Rooney nobody would have batted an eyelid.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Now corrected

:rofl:

(sorry but being a city fan means I don't get much chance to laugh at another team :D )

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Roy Hodgson - Coming to a club near you very soon!

Al Fayed must be laughing all the way to the bank. The Fuggers were paid compensation for that??

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

:D

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Somehow I doubt anyone at Anfield, on or off the pitch, had their full attention on preparation for the game this week. ;)

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

And it showed, oh well onwards and hopefully upwards! :)

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Phil Mcnulty (BBC chief sports writer): "Everton ensured John W. Henry's reign as Liverpool owner got off to the worst possible start as they emerged as comfortable winners of the Merseyside derby."

Roy Hodgson: "our performance today was a good one".

Lord Grabiner QC: "if it wasn't so serious, it would be a joke"

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Everton are a difficult side to play, especially at Goodison. Normally this wouldn't be too much of a downer but Liverpool played awful. No signs they are going to be any higher than mid-table at best.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Would be great to watch the Swans play Liverpool at the Liberty next season :D

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Good weekend for the Blues of Manchester and Merseyside :D

Sounds like City where a bit fortunate to come away with a win (even though we hit the bar 3 times) but as they same a win is a win. Blackpool from what iv`e seen of them look a good compact side with some decent players, especially Varney who seems to cause a good few problems. Tevez offside for one goal and possibly a foul for the other, Mancini`s luck must be in...

Still think it`s gonna go tits up, it is Man City after all :rolleyes:

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/5606/woyn.jpg

"Hmmm doesn't really feel like a chin, more like an elbow... or maybe a pair of buttocks. I'll have a taste when Sammy isn't looking."

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

not happy yet again liverpool lose

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Not happy eh? Why would that be?

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Oh dear.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Rooney to City.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Or Chelsea. City don't need any more high wages otherwise the UEFA fair play rules will certainly be unachievable. Chelsea have an aging squad and the money to do the deal.

Alternatively there is speculation of a money + player deal with Madrid. They get Rooney, United get Benzema plus some cash (I imagine around £10 million).

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

losing Rooney would be a disaster. We are meant to be the biggest club in the world and as such we need a core group of players who are world class. Rooney is that and apart from Vidic and Evra we are lacking in world class players. Maybe you could add Rio into that list when fit and on form.

Berbs is good but there are doubts if he can maintain form and Scholes and Giggs are about to draw their pensions soon. Nani is great one week and the next can't even hit the ball.

Losing Rooney will lower the standard at the club and don't see players like Mecheda, Wellbeck, Chico and others being in that same league

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Or Rooney has to accept that any notion his agent or the press may have about earning £300K per week is pure fantasy. Man City's revenue last season just about broke the £100M mark and their wage bill for this season seems to have outstripped that already. No champions league football yet either.

I'd like to see how these fair play rules are going to pan out. On paper it seems like a good idea but I really can't see how they can be enforced to the letter of the law without a massive amount of upheaval. No club can take a top 4 finish for granted so a loss of champions league revenue will have to be factored into any shrewd manager's books, no club can afford to sail too close to the wind in this respect. Been said many times though: someone will surely find a creative way around the rules, but I hope not.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

It will be a big loss for United but really the die has been cast. He has mentally checked out since the end of last season and challenging Alex Ferguson was a big mistake. Even if he changes his mind, even if this was a spectacularly misguided negotiation tactic, he isn't long for the squad. Ferguson won't allow insubordination within this squad and Rooney will join the list of players kicked out of United for allowing their personal life to interfere or challenging the manager.

The question is will he be shipped out in the summer or is the relationship so bad that United will attempt to be rid of him in January. Will Rooney play first team football until he departs, if not will that cause disharmony in the squad? If he does, will that allow bridges to be mended?

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Contracts signed before this summer aren't included in the fair play rules

I hope they do tbh how many more times will Real Madrid sell their training ground to the government, seems to me the rules are in place to stop teams like City gate crashing the big boys Champions League club after all soft debts to a sugar daddy are a lot easier to deal with than loans from banks and hedge funds. I think they'll have a bit of bother enforcing the so called 'mates rates' sponsorship rules as well.

You're right £300k is pure fantasy, they are talking of £500k a week, half a million quid a week for playing football, the world has truely gone mad, there is no way a Spanish club rates him highly enough to pay even a third of that.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Am I reading that right then. So when these UEFA rules come into force only new players or players signed to new contracts will be included in this new wage structure ?

Kind of defeats the object of having the rule

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

You'll just fall on the old stand-by of buying the world's best players. Your team name alone carries more weight than wages and you can still pull your weight with transfer fees.

I really don't think attracting decent players is something you should be unduly concerned about.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

We should find out tomorrow what is happening from SAF, well hopefully....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...ne-Rooney.html

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

rooney and tevez would be good combo :D

And torres on the bench

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

How does this look to you City supporters ? :erm:

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2010/10/24.jpg

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

He'll say everything is fine or avoid the question.

Anyone think the pressure is getting to Hodgson? His press statements about Liverpool playing so well as well as little gem: "I refuse to sit here and accept that we were outplayed or in any way inferior" were impressive displays of delusion.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

it has that..hmm je ne se qua :D

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

maybe but I can already see the standards at the club slipping and players who aren't good neough being there for years already. If the performances on the pitch drop and we lose money as well with 800m in debt that doesn't sound like a great business plan to me

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Absolutely lost it and his comments are becoming more and more bewildering and embarrasing with each defeat. The Derby? best performance under his management? that is ludicrous as the best performance under his management was the home draw against Arsenal first game of the season before he'd had any real chance to work with the team. I think the realisation has hit home hard that he is managing a team ill equipped to play his archaic stand-off and counter tactics and he doesn't seem to have a plan B, either that or he's not prepared to use one.

Under Benitez, the team at their best last season were hard working, pressing and organised, capable of retaining posession: press and push forward being the first line of defence. Quite a contrast to the tactics served up by Hodgson: stand off and attempt to absorb the pressure with the whole midfield sitting constantly on Pepe Reina's toes in the centre of the park. The major source of goals conceded has come from the flanks: teams are encouraged to attack due to the lack of closing down and the full backs are not good enough to prevent the cross. When the ball does arrive in the box Skrtel and Carragher are completely devoid of any ability to meet the aerial challenge. Other maladies include the utterly shambolic and immobile Christian Poulsen lacking the ability to cover for Glen Johnson et al when they push forward which is something Mascherano was very adept at doing last season. Roy doesn't seem to realise that there are a couple of players in the squad more than capable of doing this job but he chooses not to play them there or not play them at all.

Sections of the media and certain ex players who ought to know better are still desperately clinging to their anti Rafa agenda and the notion that poor old Roy inherited such a poor squad: one that's not too different to a squad which finished second a couple of seasons before and a squad which didn't concede many goals the season after despite an unacceptable league position. Hodgson has already lost the fans and it won't be long before he's lost the dressing room so he has to go now before any further damage is done.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Definitely. I think it was the second half against Arsenal in which they played excellently but this was provoked by Joe Cole being sent off. In theory this may be because down to 10 men, against an attacking side, requires Hodgson's tactic of choice; Sit back, keep your shape, defend and attempt to score on a counter.

It required less than this shambles for the media to completely turn on Rafa last year but herein lies the hypocrisy and certain jingoistic approach from our sports journalists (not all mind). Benitez was never popular with the press, he did chat to them off the record, he was never jovial and fun in the press conferences and he general keep himself to himself. Hodgson on the other hand is a very popular figure with the press and as such they continue to leap to his defense.

Last year 'Rafa finished 7th with that squad?! Clearly underachieving, he needs to go!'. This year: 'Of course Hodgson can't compete with that squad! Rafa left him a horrible team'. Can't have it both ways. Being popular does not mean he is a better manager than Benitez.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Ferguson has confirmed Rooney wants to leave the club. It all seems very strange as he has no idea why and said Rooney made his intentions clear just after the world cup. It must be down to personal issues as he made it clear they hadn't fallen out and it wasn't anything to do with money. I don't think i've ever seen Ferguson like he was in the news conference today.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Fergie has confirmed Rooney wants to leave.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...-reaction.html

Seems very odd but this means it was not provoked by the recent lack of appearances. In fact we seem to have the cause and effect the wrong way around; Maybe his lack of form and the dropping from the squad was started by his desire to leave...

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

There was a quote from Fergie that said he spoke to Wayne who just told him the same thing as they were already told by the agent.

Think the agents are at the heart of this. They get a higher fee if he joins a new club than if he signs for Man U again. Players just listen to the agents all the time and don't think for themselves

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Obviously feels betrayed and stabbed in the back by Rooney.

---------- Post added at 14:51 ---------- Previous post was at 14:47 ----------

Was Saturday the last time Rooney played for United then?

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

One minute he's saying he wants to stay for life, the next he can't get away quick enough, i can't see how an agent can have that much influence over a player in such a short period of time. He won't be getting more money elsewhere as United were prepared to offer pretty much anything by the sounds of it and he apparently hasn't listened to any offers from the club.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Can't help but suspect that there is an element of mutual intent here. Rooney would stand to make a bigger wedge if he ran down his contract and left on a Bosman, I'm sure his agent would be trying to push him in this direction although the club would be shrewd enough to see through any attempt to do this. If he's intent on leaving then the club need to recoup a fee, part of which will undoubtedly go towards servicing debt so I guess the January window is an ideal time while there's still some value in his contract.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

I was more talking about the fact an agents gets a higher fee for a transfer than he would for signing a new contract.

We know agents have no morals, take bungs and bribes and are obsessed by money and greed.

From comments I have heard from managers in the past I think players really do just listen to whatever their agents tell them, they are paid to be yes men all the rest of the time so if they say move somewhere else they just listen to them without even thinking

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Man United simply cannot offer any wage; City and Chelsea can. Also why blame his agent, Rooney knows full well how good the club and fans have been to him. This is his responsibility.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Looks awful, don`t wan`t him, don`t need him, Tevez is doing just fine thank you very much :)
A self over hyped, undereducated numskull like the one who`s just gone to Cardiff we can do without...!

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

I am almost certain that the wage has nothing to do with it. United would have offered him big money, its not as if negotiations broke down because he couldnt get the money he wanted, there were no negotiations.

---------- Post added at 15:37 ---------- Previous post was at 15:35 ----------

I'm suprised that City are favourites to sign him, i think the only way that would happen is if he leaves in 18 months time and not in January.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

I disagree. City are the only ones who can afford him..and Man Utd want some sort of fee.

He is a player City want..high enough quality that might attract others.

So i see him going in jan..to City. (and I don't mean Norwich :D)

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Also City will pay silly money for him. Even if they don't need him the symbolism will be enough for them to froth at the mouth with excitement. United could get two world class players for the price they will pay.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

What it is, Rooney is a spolit little kid who wanted things his way, but Sir Alex has proved that he is manager, you do as he says, or not at all.

Sir Alex is angry that Rooney has brought the club embarrassemt, and SA won't allow it, the club is bigger than any player, Rooney is just an employee of that club, too me a total waste of money, and he has demanded £200.000 per week, thats disgusting - spolit little +++.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

hmmm..but..if rooney says..ok I'll stay..he suddenly changes?

Rooney hasn't changed, he is what he is...why suddenly be surprised that he chooses the money...he did that when he moved to Man Utd...life goes on...why worry about someone getting what he wants...:)

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Something tells me that City won't be interested in Rooney at that money.. In fact Rooney might get a shock when no-one wants to pay his idea of a salary..

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

How can you say city are the only ones who can afford him? They're not the only club in England with a bit of money let alone the rest of Europe. I can't see Ferguson allowing the club to sell him to city even if that meant taking an offer worth less, selling to a rival isn't something i can see the club doing with such a quality player. Even the Glazers might understand selling a player to city is a no go.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Who else will pay his wages? And transfer fee?

Chelsea perhaps...though not convinced owner wants to wack out that much money.

Leaves either barca, or real...don't see any other viable option.

But remember..this is rooney, not beckham..don't see him going to spain..unless you tell him about the wrinklies loving the country...he does love the older woman :D

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Barcelona have a good striker and serious debt. They also intend to make a big offer for Fabregas this summer so nope.

Real Madrid allows a swap option + cash.
Chelsea have an aging squad and might well be interested.
City have no issue with the money and the thought of taking United's best player will appeal to them.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

You can add Inter and Milan to the list, both have money and players United would be intrested in for a swap deal.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

WOOF! First goal for Wilshere in the Champions League!

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

If the reports are true about how much Yaya Toure is being paid why wouldn't they pay that for Rooney

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

That Nike - Write The Future advert is getting more apt as every day passes. All Rooney is missing is the beard.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

I am waiting for the Wayne Rooney movie

They could get Shrek from Shrek to play wayne

Wait, he is real character? Wayne i mean :D

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

shame....and there was me thinking that Delia & Stephen were going to dig deep.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

I`m so confident that Rooney will not end up at City after the January transfer windows i`ll stick £100 on it :)

Money could be held in escrow, perhaps the CF account.

Great result for Arsenal last night, think they may give us a pasting this weekend if they play like that. The big guy up front, Chamakh is it? looks the sort of player Arsenal have been crying out for but never got and that Nasri looks to be maturing well. Arsenal with quality strength in depth, what`s next Rooney going to City :shocked:

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Purslow resigned from LFC board today. Broughton to follow soon after as operation epic swindle mission accomplished. Ian Ayre retained as commercial director with rumours of Keith Edelman coming in as MD.

Rumours are also gathering pace that Roy will be on the big yellow fun bus out of Anfield before the weekend with Rijkaard the bookies hot tip to step in. Doubt there would be any player power shennanigans under big Frank.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...456970,00.html

All is not well behind the scenes at old trafford

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Rooney this. Fergie that. Very boring already and it's only the beginning of the tedium.

This is far more interesting and important:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...-football-fifa

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Nice statement..obviously not written by Rooney

His version..."you know..nutin wrang wit older wimmen...alex likes them too, he maried one..my wimmin needs mar maney"

:D

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Too right. I bet he doesn't know what half the words in that statement mean. And he wouldn't know how to spell the other half.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Spuds are doing well.....

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Which team is that? :D

Do they play in the Dutch league..van gogo their striker?

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

That reminds me.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Did Andy Townsend really call Inter 'these so-called superstars'?.....

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

That might have been written by Rooney but I echo his sentiments.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Yes, because he's a moron.

Russ, as you're here, 2 years, 2 trebles and a bucket load of goals and assists later, still think Eto'o is overrated? Still think Berbatov was the better choice?

2 assists and 2 goals tonight, in fact he's scored or assisted all 9 of Inter's CL goals this season. The man's a beast and quite possibly the greatest African player ever.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Not bad from Bale, Spurs will have difficultly holding onto him. Especially if United are newly enriched from some kind of future transfer!

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

I highly doubt they are his sentiments.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

So after coming second by a point (or a dodgy offside call) to a very strong Chelsea side that was scoring seven and eight against teams last season, and with the same squad with a few additions this season, hes worried about the squad strength.

He's using the whole Glazer thing as a way out, very clever by his agent but it wont fool anyone. I wonder if we will ever find out the real reasons why he wants to leave. Get rid of him in January and bring someone in that isn't mindwashed by their agent, preferably not a scouser.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Hmm will if United get Rooney money Hodgson is trying to tout Torres to his mate Ferguson before he gets sacked on Friday morning.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...ernando-torres

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Expect Rooney to be on the transfer list later this evening according to Channel 4 news.

Ian Holloway with some interesting views

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9116212.stm

---------- Post added at 19:26 ---------- Previous post was at 19:23 ----------

Everythings rosey in the garden then?

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Don't agree with him...but solution is for clubs not to pay silly money...no market..no cost

But self evident that system is wrong...i would prefer no transfer deadline..allow transfers whenever.

granted, richer clubs will buy players...but that is how it has always been

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

the main thing they need to deal with is agents. If a player wants one he can pay for one out of his own pocket. All the money that goes to agents is just leaked out of the game, meaning clubs have to put up prices to get the money back

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...er-united-city
After this week this would simply be crazy.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Perhaps Ferguson sees through Stretford as manipulating his client to engineer a move to earn his next big agent's wedge. Does Rooney really want to leave or has he had his arm twisted by nasty agent?

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

From the sounds of it the club want to keep him rather than Ferguson. How can he realistically stay after this week and his statement yesterday? :confused:

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Agents only have so much sway over a player. Yes they can encourage players to leave but they can't make a player go from loving a club to wanting to leave and screw them over in the first place.

And besides, even Wayne Rooney can work out for himself that if he left he could get more money elsewhere. You don't need to be a commercial genius to work that out.

At first I thought it was that Ferguson and Rooney had a falling out. Which wouldn't be the first time for Ferguson. His management style makes Pol Pot look positively friendly. However, I think there is a lot of merit in what Rooney was saying. Ronaldo has been sold and not really replaced. Players long since linked with like Benzema and Ribery haven't materialised into transfers. The golden generation (Giggs, Scholes, etc) are on their way out and really it doesn't look like the owners will dig deep to replace them. Suarez has been mentioned but only if Rooney leaves. Utd have always manage to keep the quality in the team with ~£30m transfers but they are few and far between for them these days.

Sherer knows his club better than I do. I can easily see his point.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

So Gill or the Glazers perhaps want him to stay for prestige/commercial reasons or maybe that they don't want a star player joining a rival team and Ferguson wouldn't be bothered if he saw the back of him. I guess it's not going to come out in the wash for some time.

Would imagine there will be a pretty intense bidding war for Suarez but more likely in the summer rather than January window.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

I think that is the likely situation. Reporters are saying Ferguson was frustrated the matter could not be settled today and I would imagine that is because he had the full intention of selling him in may.

After his statement attacking the clubs ambition and effectively bemoaning the quality of his team mates I can't see SAF wanting to keep him.

Furthermore just how much of a tool is Rooney? I have said before I feel he gets too much credit at the expensive of other members of the United team and he seems to think he deserves it.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

In an ideal world I would say the player should be able to work all this out themselves and where is best for them to go.

I have to say based on some comments i've seen that agents do seem to have this much power over a player and do tell them what to think and where to go. We had it with Wes Brown where he almost left and went to Newcastle due to his agent, Fergie said if he could talk to the player direct it would be sorted but it all had to go through an agent.

Even these new talks with Rooney aren't, it is all going through the agent. The agents only care about money not the player

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Apparently some bookies have suspended bets on Rooney staying at United...

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Thats that sorted then 5 year contract with Utd.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-...chester_United

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Rooney is staying after all, after publicly bashing the club, his teammates and treating them and the fans with such disrespect. Turns out some players are bigger than the club.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

I wonder how much he is screwing out the club now?

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

Was it him or his agent disrespecting the club though?

I wonder if this means the Glazers have said they are going to spend money on players to keep him or just doubled his wages.

Re: Football Season 2010/2011
 

My money is this all being a work from day 1. Rooney wanting to leave as far back as August would have been picked up by the press. I reckon this is all a ploy by SAF to manipulate the media and divert attention away from Rooney's extra-matrimonial hat-tricks. SAF is the master of mind games and working the media is part of that. I'm convinced there was never any intentions of him leaving. He's got the deal everyone expected him to sign and suddenly people are concentrating on his performances on the pitch instead of in some brothel.