United Daily: Has Hell Frozen Over?
Fergie Shows Support for Benitez
In this week’s sign of the impending apocalypse, Sir Alex Ferguson is defending Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. When asked about the Klinsman controversy at Liverpool, Fergie had this to say:
“That was a bad piece of business on Liverpool’s part. That sort of thing can be very upsetting for a manager. As a manager, there are quite a few moments in every week when you’re on your own and people don’t want to knock on your door because they think you’re busy all the time, but you can be sitting there twiddling your thumbs. You can fill your time by phoning other managers and doing other things, but there’s a lot of time spent on your own and, in moments like that, Rafa must feel very alone. How you react depends on what kind of person you are and Rafa seems a stubborn character who can put aside emotion, whereas Martin Jol seemed to be more affected by it when a similar thing happened to him at Spurs.”
While Fergie may be sympathetic to Rafa’s problems, I also believe he would love to see Benitez stay in charge at Anfield. Having only lost 1 of the last 8 matches against Liverpool, Benitez’s sides have not proven too competitive lately. A weaker Liverpool means Fergie’s job is easier. Also, having Ferguson describe the agony of Rafa’s existence must be painful for the Spaniard. As Jack Nicholson says in As Good As It Gets, “I’m drowning here, and your describing the water!”
Phil Bardsley is Headed to Sunderland
For a while there it looked like Phil Bardsley was going to be the replacement to Gary Neville at right fullback. Not so much. Bardsley has become the latest in what seems to be a growing trend: Manchester United players heading to Sunderland. Who needs Royal Antwerp when we’ve got the Black Cats to handle all of our under-performing youth? Bardsley cited his desire, “ to play in the Premier League,” and that he, “always wanted to have the chance of having Roy Keane as my manager.” If what Clive Clark had to say is accurate he may regret the latter part of that statement, but I can certainly understand the desire to play more often than every few months. I wish him well.
Roy Carroll Signs With Derby County
I was glad to see that Roy Carroll has been given a chance with Derby County. The lad had his contract canceled by Rangers after an unsuccessful stint with the Scottish club that saw him only get one start. The former United keeper has been suffering from gambling and alcohol-related addictions of late and has been in and out of rehab clinics. Regardless of my feelings about Carroll as a keeper you hate to see someone struggling on a personal level. Here’s hoping his Derby County stint provides him with the stability necessary to get his life in order.
Good Journalism
In today’s “dishonest headline of the day,” the Daily Mail took this quote from Spurs boss Juande Ramos:
“United will be a very difficult opponent because they are playing at a very, very high level and the game is at their stadium. But we will run and work to exhaust any and every possibility of beating them.”
…and turned it into this headline: “We will run United into the ground, says Spurs boss Ramos” Good copy.
Man United Video Game Coming Soon
Elsewhere, Manchester United has entered the mobile phone video game business. They have penned a deal with Jump Design to design and sell six games based on Man United.
Blog Report
A rundown of the Manchester United blogging community:
- New Striker Green Light? (A Kick In the Grass)
- Has video clip of Man United’s newly signed Angolan striker Manucho
- Another Red to Sunderland — Does Keano Have What It Takes? (Republik of Mancunia)
- Minutes Applause? Sod Off! (Republik of Mancunia)
- It’s Ronnie’s Mum’s Turn Now to Join Real Act (RedRants)
- ….For Just One Minute! (GivenToScore)
Have some thoughts about today’s memo? Leave a comment!
