An Interesting Monday Roundup

It certainly is more interesting than the snorefest that was the last two days. My absence speaks volumes.

Nemanja Vidic will not join up with the squad when the international break gets over. Instead, he will stay back to play for Serbia, whose game with Kazakhstan was postponed to next Saturday on account of unplayable conditions — heavy snowfall, they say.

Although this is contingent on Serbia’s chances of qualifying. So if by the Kazakh game they get knocked out, then Vida should be back for the Bolton game. Either way, I think it won’t be a big blow. We should be able to beat Bolton, with or without Anelka.

Some quotes (finally) from the Glazers as they come out of hibernation to assure everyone that they are 100% behind SAF and the club on the whole. Manchester United is a long term thing for them according to Joel Glazer who had this to say:

“Sir Alex Ferguson will be given all the resources to compete at the highest level possible,” Glazer told the People. “When you’re around this club, the heritage, the history – when you’re walking around Old Trafford, it’s an incredible feeling. “But with it comes a lot of responsibility and we take that very seriously. “Manchester United are one of the few truly global sports teams in the world. “We have a global fan base of around 140 million. It’s the only club we were ever interested in.”

I want to believe all that he said. I really do. But the cynic in me would not like it. I wish he really means it. There is far too much ill-will surrounding them that even if we win the treble for two consecutive seasons, I doubt people would ever look to give them any credit.

And why would they? Plunging the most profitable, and recognisable, club in football into heavy debts only amounts to a constant fear in the minds of every fan. The only way they could ever be forgiven is with time. And that time would be the supposed twenty year period when they would have paid off all the debts — if they last that long, that is.

Meanwhile Kaka reckons Ronaldo is the more deserving candidate to win the European Player of the Year. It’s quite obvious that he would be modest here. But certain things that he says does make sense:

“He is the best, not only for his technical ability, but also for what he has done with Portugal,”

Fair enough, the lad just won his 50th cap for Portugal. And that is something. And in terms of achievement, Ronaldo did that much more for United and Portugal than Kaka did for Milan. Sure, Milan won the Champions’ League. But they were dire in their domestic campaign, despite all that can be said about their points deduction and had nothing to play for in their league prior to facing us. We, on the other hand, were challenging on three fronts and were pretty much knackered when we faced the Rossoneri. But I wouldn’t hold any grudges if Kaka were to win it over Ronnie. He is a top, top player. No doubt about that.

Some hilarious transfer rumours did the rounds too. Eto’o was linked with a swap deal involving Louis Saha. Umm, it’s Samuel Eto’o we are talking about here, just to make sure. The deal, you ask? Louis Saha plus 5 million pounds. This news rumour was perhaps inserted as a joke of the day by the folks at the People, I am sure.

And here’s a brief roundup of the international fixtures: Fletcher played for Scotland where they lost out to Italy. Ronaldo and Nani (as a sub) played in a 1-0 win over Armenia. Tevez was involved in the build up to Kun Aguero’s goal as Argentina strolled past Bolivia. Jonny Evans played in N. Ireland’s 2-1 win over Denmark. John O’Shea played for Ireland as they drew with Wales.

About the England game. Well, what do I say? It saddens me that the more deserving team lost out while a team that keeps playing so poorly manages to stay in the race. I feel sorry for the Scots. But I honestly didn’t think they had much of a chance against Italy. They ought to have won against Georgia. The Italians are past-masters of doing surprisingly well when all else is in disarray in their personal lives or things back home. Call, me bitter, but I really didn’t want England to qualify this time.

Oh well, there is still hope. England could still mess it up in Wembley.

[For those who aren’t aware, we have a nice competition where you could win a scarf. Head over to this link to find out. Hurry!]