Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[asiancigar]

Dear Die-Hard United Fans, i came across this article on the Official United site and it blew me away coz i have been guilty of calling our beloved club.... ManU

Excerpt:

Why we NEVER use Man .U.

Man .U. is not a term United fans refer to themselves as. The term is only used by other supporters as a complete and utter insult to our club. The "U" is meant to be "you" by the rival fans.

An early example of its usage is this chant by West Brom fans: "Duncan Edwards is manure, rotting in his grave, man you are manure- rotting in your grave". The origin of "Man .U." is a song to insult the dead Duncan Edwards.

Liverpool and Leeds fans copied this with their own man you /u versions to insult all of the lads who died at munich.

"Man .U. Man .U. went on a plane Man .U. Man .U. never came back again"

and..

"Man .U. Never Intended Coming Home" (if you combine the first letter of each word you get the word "munich").

I hope this makes it clearer that saying Man .U. is an insult, particularly to the older supporters and to see United fans using it now is shameful. I hope a few might read this, understand and spread the word.

So please refrain from using this term ever again.

Here is the link to read the full article:

Info that you should all know before posting on the forum. - Manchester United Community

Cheerz
AC

[Atrocious]

Hi,

Read this a while back somewhere else, been referring to myself as 'United' fan since then... at least now everyone knows not to refer to ourselves as 'man-U' fans but rather as 'Man United' or just 'United' fans... or just call ourselves 'Devils'

Cheers!!!
Atro

[yinyang]

Really, does this matter? MU also boleh.

[richie_rich]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

Incredible that i have signed up for Mio........ hiazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Cheerz
AC

No matter how many more Incredibles you write, I'm 100% sure a die-hard United fan like you will stick by the team, through thick and thin.
Remember the trophy-less years from the 70s to the 80s, when the red team from meyseyside was on top? Didn't most of us United fans stuck by the team?
Remember what SAF said when he took over? He wanted to knock them off their f_cking perch? He did it, didn't he?
SAF has built 3 Incredible United teams during these past 20over trophy-laden years and he is in the process of building the 4th Great United team.
Let's stick with him ya?
Cheers!

[richie_rich]

Transfer gossip : ROONEY OFF TO SPAIN?

With Manchester United's slightly less than sterling financial results released yesterday, it was inevitable that the papers would be full of speculation about their more saleable assets.

So it's to The Sun we go, with them claiming the club may have to sell Wayne Rooney to balance the books.

The paper claims that both Real Madrid and Barcelona are weighing up offers for the striker - offers that could be worth a whopping £70million.

That's another year in the black secured then.

There's more hopeful word for the club in The Daily Mirror and The Daily Express, with both papers claiming Sir Alex Ferguson will be given £75million to spend in the summer, despite those results.

Apparently the Glazers have had another word with their extremely friendly bankers, and have borrowed the cash to give to Fergie, in the hope that new signings will increase their chances of finding buyers for this £500million bond deal thingy. Which we still don't really understand.

[imom]

Originally Posted by yinyang

Really, does this matter? MU also boleh....

Haha I think you know my stance on this...

Originally Posted by asiancigar

[B][B][COLOR="Blue"]Dear Die-Hard United Fans, i came across this article on the Official United site and it blew me away coz i have been guilty of calling our beloved club.... ManU....

To me you are guilty of nothing except being a true Red Devil where it counts.

There are a million chants that jealous and envious opposition fans, unable to stomach the Red Devils' success, create in a lame attempt to diminish the stature of our team. Reacting to these chants only serve to validate the behaviour of these juvenile nincompoops. In this particular chant it's 'Man U'. In others, there are derogatory references to 'United', 'Man United', etc. Are we to avoid using anything version of our team's name that appears in a derogatory chant? Are these bottom-feeding cretins who subscribe to mob mentality to dictate what we can and cannot call our team?

I choose not to be dictated as such. And if you have stood by the team in those years before the heady 90s and 2000s, you are to me a true fan. What you choose to call our team will not diminish that one bit.

[asiancigar]

Originally Posted by Atrocious

Hi,

Read this a while back somewhere else, been referring to myself as 'United' fan since then... at least now everyone knows not to refer to ourselves as 'man-U' fans but rather as 'Man United' or just 'United' fans... or just call ourselves 'Devils'

Cheers!!!
Atro

I will also be using United from henceforth......

Originally Posted by yinyang

Really, does this matter? MU also boleh.

Yes MU also can la.... hehe

Originally Posted by richie_rich

..... I'm 100% sure a die-hard United fan like you will stick by the team, through thick and thin.
Remember the trophy-less years from the 70s to the 80s,... Didn't most of us United fans stuck by the team?
Remember what SAF said when he took over? He wanted to knock them off their f_cking perch? He did it, didn't he?
SAF has built 3 Incredible United teams during these past 20over trophy-laden years and he is in the process of building the 4th Great United team.
Let's stick with him ya?
Cheers!

Absolutely will STAND SHOULDER to SHOULDER FOREVER UNITED with our BELOVED DEVILS irregardless. And Yes, i do remember the roller coaster 70s & 80s very well.

Originally Posted by richie_rich

Transfer gossip : ROONEY OFF TO SPAIN?....

So it's to The Sun we go, with them claiming the club may have to sell Wayne Rooney to balance the books.

The paper claims that both Real Madrid and Barcelona are weighing up offers for the striker - offers that could be worth a whopping £70million.....

There's more hopeful word for the club in The Daily Mirror and The Daily Express, with both papers claiming Sir Alex Ferguson will be given £75million to spend in the summer, despite those results.

Apparently the Glazers have had another word with their extremely friendly bankers, and have borrowed the cash to give to Fergie, in the hope that new signings will increase their chances of finding buyers for this £500million bond deal thingy. Which we still don't really understand.

Am afraid that the Glazers being Americans are only focused on the Bottom Line and for what they can milk United for..... they bought United thinking that they could pull off a huge killing within 5 years hence their heavy borrowing. Now they are trying to raise Bond (OPM) to pay off the huge debt. And most shocking is news that the Glazers are bleeding MUFC by the Fees & Loans made by the Glazers etc...

I am convinced that there is no £75million for SAF coz whatever monies from CR's sale has already being used to balance the books. If any, SAF might have to trim the squad further by selling and/or letting go on loan. sigh

Originally Posted by imom

Haha I think you know my stance on this...

To me you are guilty of nothing except being a true Red Devil where it counts.

Yes Sir, i will continue to use United or Devils.....

Cheerz
AC

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by imom

Haha I think you know my stance on this...

Recall 1 signature: there's only ONE United

Had a funny from last Dec HK trip. My cantonese is non-existent, but could hear the commentary calling our team in direct translation, something to the tune of red haired devils (hung moh something)

[asiancigar]

Premier League - Manchested United 'may be forced to sell stars'

Manchester United may be forced to sell top stars such as Wayne Rooney to balance the books while the club's Carrington training ground and even Old Trafford may also be sold.

The American Glazer family, who privately own United, are struggling to raise money for transfers while recent figures showed only the £80 million sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid kept the club from recording a loss last year.
With debts mounting - the figure stands at £700m while £325m has been paid in interest since the unpopular takeover in 2005 - the club are issuing a £500m bond in a bid to attract investors.

The possibility of losing top assets such as Rooney was outlined in a prospectus sent out for this purpose - where by law the Glazers have to warn potential investors of all possible risk.

It stated: "(The situation could) limit our ability to acquire or retain top players... the indenture governing the Notes (bonds) will limit our ability to sell or transfer (some assets), but not prohibit us from selling or transferring our training ground facilities and our stadium."

Should Carrington - which is at greater risk than the stadium - or Old Trafford be sold, it is understood United would lease it back from the new owners.
However there is an acknowledgement that such a move would mean United have no say over their future use.

"Although in the sale or transfer of any of these properties, the transferee will be required to enter into a long-term lease with us to enable us to continue to have substantially the same access to such property as we currently do, if we sell or transfer either or both of these properties, we will no longer control them," the prospectus stated.

The club has already drawn a £36m cash advance on an £80m four-year shirt sponsorship deal with American insurance giant Aon, which does not begin until the summer.

United manager Alex Ferguson has said on several occasions that he has access to the money from the sale of Ronaldo, but has not seen anyone worth shelling out for.

However that claim seems hollow in light of the parent company's plans for the club.

[asiancigar]

This is bad for our beloved United........ those Amercian a-holes are just milking and destroying OT and MUFC

KNN......

[yinyang]

Originally Posted by asiancigar

..bad for our beloved United........ those Amercian a-holes are just milking and destroying OT and MUFC. KNN......

You referring to latest bond fiasco? Such is reality of being highly geared in 1st place.

But I wouldn't fret too much. With our pedigree, and being a profitable club think it's not going to be that slippery road like some other lesser clubs (some on brink bankruptcy). So hang in there, fellow red devil.

There's a devil in all of us, hehehehehe

[richie_rich]

Burnley brushed aside by Red Devils

Manchester United kept up the pressure at the top of the Premier League as Brian Laws suffered a 3-0 defeat in his first game as Burnley boss. Chants of "We want the Glazers out" from the Stretford End emphasised the debt mountain being carried by the Red Devils and for a long time it looked as though it was hanging round the players' necks too.

But a five-minute purple patch just after the hour brought Dimitar Berbatov's seventh goal of the season and Wayne Rooney's 16th.

And, with new-boy Mame Biram Diouf adding another near the end, United had regained a sense of superiority, even if the outcome could have been vastly different if either Steven Fletcher or David Nugent had taken golden opportunities when Brian Laws' first game in charge was still deadlocked.

However, the United faithful will be acutely aware much better will be required at Eastlands on Tuesday if Carlos Tevez is not to celebrate Carling Cup glory at the expense of his old club.

This would not normally be regarded as an ideal fixture for a new manager to open their account with a win.

Yet such is negativity circling United just now anything seems possible, even for a team with just one away point from 10 games prior to kick-off and without a win on this ground since 1962.

The vast majority of this week's headlines have concentrated on the growing debt and what will have to happen if the Glazer family are unable to meet interest rates on a £500million bond.

But there are also concerns about the strength of Ferguson's team.

A first appearance on home soil since that dismal FA Cup defeat to League One Leeds offered an ideal opportunity to allay a few fears. Instead, concerns just grew.

Although United dominated possession, it was not until the final minutes of the half, when Nani's overhead kick was clawed behind by Brian Jensen that the Red Devils looked as though they might score.

Rooney worked hard as usual and had a couple of chances, while Antonio Valencia and Patrice Evra threatened danger from wide positions.

Dimitar Berbatov was again a disappointment though.

He may now be a six-time Bulgarian player of the year but the 28-year-old remains an enigmatic presence.

There was no sign of a knee injury as he rose to meet decent crosses from either flank that he could not direct on target and he lacked conviction when he tried to turn home a low Valencia ball drilled into the six-yard box.

Gary Neville's angry reaction to a perceived lack of movement would not have done much for Berbatov's confidence either, although the dent would not have been as big as the one inflicted on United had Steven Fletcher made more of the opening period's best chance.

Eager to make an impression against his former club, Chris Eagles started the move with a precise pass to David Nugent.

Far too easily, the United defence had been completely opened up. Nugent lifted the ball over Neville and set Fletcher racing through on Edwin van der Sar, making his comeback after a 12-match absence.

Fletcher went for the far corner but could only turn away in frustration as his shot rolled narrowly wide.

There was no better example of the frustration surrounding Berbatov than the one just before the hour mark when he produced a brilliant piece of close control to turn onto Valencia's cross then, from six yards, drilled his shot wide when it seemed easier to score.

If Nugent had made them pay immediately afterwards, United would have had no-one to blame but themselves.

However, after latching onto Eagles' pass and outpacing Gary Neville, the former Preston striker failed to find the target.

It proved to be a costly miss as United immediately enjoyed their pivotal five-minute purple patch.

First Berbatov's shot flicked past a startled Jensen off the base of Michael Duff's foot to break the deadlock.

Then Rooney collected the rebound after Berbatov had been denied by the Burnley keeper and, after taking a while to steady himself, eventually drilled home.

Diouf nodded Valencia's cross past the onrushing Jensen to complete the scoring although by then, minds were even turning away from the debt and towards Manchester City and that blockbuster Carling Cup semi-final.

[richie_rich]

A very important win for United last Saturday as the team looked to keep up with leaders Chelski.
I know a lot of ABUs are turning to supporting Chelski (cos their own team struggling lah) just so in the hope that United do not win our 19th Championship title.
Next up, the Carling Cup semis 1st leg vs City.
Hope United can stop City from reaching their 1st ever cup final in a long time. A victory will really wake Mancini up from his 'honeymoon" period as City Mgr given that they have lost for the 1st time agst Everton in 5 games since he took over.

[asiancigar]

Report: Glazers ask players to help ease Manchester United's debt

According to The Sun, the Glazer family has asked Manchester United's stars to dig into their pockets and contribute some cash to the club's dwindling coffers.

It is well known now that the Red Devils are desperate to wipe out their debts, with the owners presently in the process of gathering together £500 million via bond issues.

The Americans have also published a prospectus for potential investors, which stated that the club may be forced to sell off the Carrington training complex or even Old Trafford to make ends meet.

Now it has come to light that the United players and staff were among those to receive that revealing booklet, much to their bewilderment.

"The players don't know what to make of it, really," an anonymous source is quoted as saying.

"Most are bemused that the people who pay their wages are basically trying to find out if they can have some back.

"A few of the lads know a good investment when they see one, but not too many seem prepared to put their money where their mouths are!"


What the f%@k ?

[imom]

Wanted to post this when Jim White first published it. Have never believed the Glazers were real investors, putting such a highly-geared deal together for the takeover. Jim White puts it forward well in this article. Their only saving grace is that they left Fergie alone to run the show.

Btw, that 500mil quid bond deal? It has a clause that lets them bloodsuckers scoop 130mil of it if they manage to raise the 500mil.

So what have the Glazers done for you?
Wed Jan 13 12:35PM

Back in 2005, when the Glazer family's takeover of Manchester United was marked by supporters wearing black to the Cup final, some of the more militant fan elements spoke about how the Florida dynasty were a bunch of thieves, stealing from the Reds' heritage. It is hard, reading the latest set of accounts to emerge from Old Trafford, to suggest such a view was wrong.

In one sense, five years of Glazerdom appears barely to have affected United. During the time of their involvement, one Champions League, three successive titles, a couple of League Cups and a world club championship have been popped into the trophy room. So why is it, then, that the club is heading for the brown stuff faster than Alastair Darling?

On the surface, the accounts make no sense. In every department at Old Trafford, turnover is up. No club has ever seen more money flowing through its coffers in the history of British football than United did last season. The stuff was flooding through the turnstiles. Yet still they had to conduct a fire sale of their finest talent to remain in the black: if Ronaldo had not gone for a world record fee the bottom line would have been redder than the team's home shirts. Now we learn that the training ground may be sold off, the very piece of shenanigans that prefaced Leeds United's financial implosion a decade ago.

There is only one reason for such an inverse piece of financial alchemy: because of the manner of the takeover. It was, is and always has been utterly unsustainable. The Glazers didn't have the money to pay for it, so they borrowed it. And borrowed big, against the club's assets. Not only that, at a time when you and I are handing over about three per cent on our mortgages, the Glazers are forking out 14.5 per cent on their borrowings. What magnificent businessmen they are. How clever they must be to have delivered such a deal. No wonder they paid themselves £20million over the past five years for such "consultancy". Skills like theirs don't come cheap.

Now they are looking to pay off the more ferocious elements of the debt by issuing bonds. But these won't be consequence free. They will require repaying at some point in the future, with a tasty premium. It is just shifting the numbers around. And this at a club that had not a single debt on its books five years ago, a place that one senior insider recently said to me would right now be "drowning in profit" had it remained a plc.

Surely United's fans must have gained something from the plunge into debt? Well, actually, no. Not one tangible benefit has been accrued by those whose money has sustained the enterprise for 135 years. Not even a Leeds-style spending spree. The success on the pitch has been entirely due to the stewardship of Alex Ferguson. The Glazers have added no value whatsoever. They call themselves investors in the club, but not a single penny has come from their pockets to purchase players.

Indeed, as the accounts reveal, they have had their hands in the till all along. Rather, the money to pay for their folly has come from the fans. Reading the prospectus for the bond issue the Glazers even boast about the way in which they have raised ticket prices above inflation and will continue to do so. How cheerfully they mock the hand that feeds their debt.

And the real horror lies over the next season or two. Ferguson will soon need replacements for the men who delivered all that success: Giggs, Neville, Scholes, Van Der Sar and in all probability Vidic, Ferdinand and Hargreaves will not be around for much longer. Judging by the resources in his youth section, to rebuild the manager will need to buy and buy big. But from where will the money come for that sort of outlay when every single penny generated by the club is required to prop up its utterly unsustainable ownership model?

There is a very real possibility in two years time that the only world class players at Ferguson's disposal will be Rooney and Evra. And you don't win much with resources like that. Once the success stops, then what? After all, if they can't make the place pay when they win everything, how will the Glazers generate the sort of money the circling loan sharks need when the rot sets in?

For those rivals who smirk at United's predicament, who see it as the righteous consequences of hubris, consider this: back in 2005, dazzled by their mystique, those who run the English game cheerfully reckoned the Glazers wholly fit and proper persons and did nothing to prevent the takeover. Which means it can and will happen again. Indeed, at Portsmouth it already has. It could be you next.