Welcome to the second issue of The Red Report, the round table discussion of all things Manchester United by your favourite United blogs:
The Busby Way
Stretford End
Bangalore To Old Trafford
ManUtd 24
Red Force Rising
It’s just the second week but you can expect fireworks in what has been a dramatic week at Old Trafford. With Wayne Rooney’s u-turn, games against Bursaspor and Stoke amongst other things, this issue promises to be good.
Wayne Rooney has split opinion amongst United fans with his antics this week, some are happy to have him whilst others are struggling to forgive the Scouser after what was perceived as an slight on our great club so we discussed what is the view on Rooney now?
Chudi (The Busby Way): Wayne Rooney has much to do to rebuild the rapport he once had with us the fans. His words this week were not only confusing but also very insulting as he gave the impression that nothing associated with Manchester United, as a club was good enough for him.
I like Rooney so I didn’t join in with others who insulted and cursed the Scouser, losing a player of his calibre would be a massive knock but as I said I am not happy with him and he needs to let his goals do the apologising!
Doron (Stretford End): Personally, I’m delighted Rooney’s signed. We’d be stupid to not want him. However, he needs to look down a camera and apologise directly to the fans. The MUTV interview wasn’t much of an apology. Then I’d expect him to work hard, train hard and earn a place in our time. His form’s not been good enough to consider a start. Then if he has sense he’ll sack Stretford, mind you he’s just become our highest paid player ever so I doubt he’s complaining. Importantly we must unite and back him; let’s give him the chance to win us back. He probably doesn’t deserve it but we’re a good bunch of fans!
Siddarth (BTOT): I’m still shocked over the turn of events, Rooney signing a 5-year deal after making so much fuss and insulting the club! I don’t think I can ever forgive him. But he’s a great player for any team to have and to have him in full flow almost every time guarantees you a win. Hopefully last week’s chaos doesn’t happen ever again.
TG (ManUtd24): I may get a bit of stick but I’m genuinely happy he’s staying. He’s shown his commitment to the club and to Fergie and that’s what’s important. He’ll be forgiven over time; but no doubt, United fans will never forget this. Also, we know he feels quite passionately about trophies now, a reason why he wanted to leave in the first place. I hope United fans accept him as one of their own again – because, boy, is he special.
Alan (RedForceRising): Rooney himself has gone from hero to zero. I will appreciate his goals and efforts and I will give credit where it’s due, but I will never take him to heart like I had until Tuesday. He will also have to make it up to his team mates who will be disappointed AND apologize to the fans –sincerely – but still happy to have him at the club. All in all, player power reared its ugly head, Sir Alex pulled of stunning public relations coup, Rooney ruined his reputation further and insulted his team mates and Manchester United scored another victory over City.
The Rooney situation despite having being ‘solved’ will rumble on for ages and I’m pretty sure will remain a talking point for weeks to come.
This week we take on Wolves in the Carling Cup. The competition is usually seen as an opportunity for younger players or those on the fringes of the first team to give Sir Alex something to think about. Recently we have done pretty well in the competition and are the current holders so we discussed this upcoming tie:
Alan: Sir Alex should practice what he’s been preaching lately and give the younger players a chance. I would love to see a balanced mix of young and experienced players start this match, which should hopefully see Magnus Eikrem, as well as Bebe see some action.
Starting X1 4-5-1: Kuszczak, Brown, Smalling, Evans, Fabio, Obertan, Carrick, Anderson, Eikrem, Bebe, Macheda
Subs: Amos, Neville, O’Shea, Stewart, Gibson, Park, Owen (if fit)
TG: I’m pretty excited about this one. Carling Cup fixtures have become some sort of ‘spin-off’; where teams tend not to take it all that seriously and fielding many second string players. We may witness the return of Owen Hargreaves, the inspiration behind Manchester United’s double winning season of 2007/08. I’d also like to see Magnus Eikrem, Gabriel Obertan and, being greedy, Bebe feature in this game as this competition is obviously a fantastic platform for our fringe players. Having said that, I’d expect Wolves to give us a fight, despite their below par start to the season.
Siddarth: A game I’m really anxious to watch, mainly to see if Eikrem finally plays a 1st team game! I love the lad and I’m pretty sure he’s going to be a special player. Also looking forward to Bebe and Fabio getting some more game time.
Maybe if we’re lucky Ravel Morrison might make the bench and come on?
It’s the chance to see youngsters make a mark that’s making the Carling Cup such a big hit! Rumours about that Hargo might make his comeback in the game, so another reason to be excited about the fixture.
Wolves will be a difficult challenge, but they’ll be concentrating on survival in the league so I see Mick McCarthy putting out a weaker team. We should be able to win the game.
Doron: I was gutted this was a home tie. Something about away games in the cups gives the games an edge. Seems a shame to play at Old Trafford with empty seats and no atmosphere.
In terms of the personnel finally Eikrem should grace our first team, maybe from the bench. Obertan, Bébé and Smalling should all start along with Amos who missed the Scunthorpe tie due to an arm injury. I guess if Hargreaves gets over his calf injury he may feature too. Long shots for a place on the bench – Will Keane, John Cofie and Ravel Morrison.
As per usual it’ll be a good opportunity for ‘squad’ players to get minutes and hopefully a win and a nice away draw will follow.
Chudi: The Carling Cup should be the game in which we bleed in young talent, we have a plethora of it here at the club and a number of players I feel that are/will be good enough for the first team so they should be playing in these games more often.
For me Magnus Eikrem is the closest to crossing over and I will be disappointed if he doesn’t play a part this week.
Last season we saw Josh King make a promising cameo against Wolves but he didn’t immediately break into the first team and become a star so I’m under no illusion that anyone that gets a chance this week will but if these youngsters are to become the stars of tomorrow they need to be given the chance.
As you can see we all have high hopes, not only the game but also our future stars. Tuesday should be interesting!
i think united should have shown rooney the exit door who does he think he is disrespecting our great club if it had of been a less high profile player he would have been gone and is he worth £250k a week he makes me sick chicharito next best thing.