news
Mon, 23 Apr 2001 05:10:45 -0700
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[27] Fergie on Ruud deal
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
Ruud signs at 3pm today.
"It (the deal) was always going to be on as long as the lad recovered. We've been
monitoring his progress throughout the recuperation period and I'm very happy with the
way things have gone. Strikers are always going to cost a lot these days but if you
can get one who is not only top class but still only 24, it's even better. It means
the position is covered, barring accidents, for four or five years down the line."
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[26] Breaking news - Ruud to sign at 3pm
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
Ruud deal will be done at 3pm today apparently, fee as yet undisclosed. All the
English hacks have set off for Holland already - even though the Dutch FA have said
that it will not involve any questions and answers from Ruud. We've got our man. Those
same hacks on their way to see the 3pm confirmation seem to be sure that Cole is on
his way - which seems strange considering we've just signed him up on a long term
deal. Or was that why they did it?
One player in, how many more?
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[25] Davids deal was never on - not just he the dope?
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
Italian sources say that Davids failed a dope test last month for a banned substance
and most back pages suggest that this curtails any Utd interest. We doubt there was
any as Fergie has made it clear what a great player he is - but not one we believe to
be in Fergie's plans because of his lack of being a 'team player'.
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[24] Utd won't ban our 12th man
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
Paddy Harveson on Utd's 12th man:
"We have no plans to ban him from Old Trafford. It is not up to us to take any
action over the incident in Germany. UEFA were responsible for the security there. We
are taking it fairly light-heartedly. It was a prank - and a fairly spectacular one."
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[23] At last - European recognition!
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
Thanks to David for this.
"Taking up RN comment on the lack of acknowledgement for our fans abroad I found this
in Wednesday's El País, it's probably not quite what you were thinking of...
'Almost three thousand Arsenal fans filled Valencia with the typical
English scene: one hand in the pocket, and the other clutching a bottle of beer to
refresh the throat with after their songs. 'They will each have downed over four
litres, though they don't drink as much as those from Manchester United' said the
employee of one central Cerveceria.'
Well, at least we're champions of Europe in something still.
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[22] More transfer gossip
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
Reports are linking us with Riquelme, the £17M rated Boca Junior playmaker,
suggesting that a meeting took place on Thursday with the player's agent in
Manchester. We told you a few months ago that Fergie was interested in the player but
no meeting took place last week.
The agent was in England to negociate with Barcelona officials not United s.
Riquelme, 22, is very close to signing with Barcelona Capello said of him last week :
"Good player, too slow for Europe"
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[21] Journalist on Fergie
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
ANDY MELVIN on ALEX FERGUSON
*Andy is Deputy MD, Sky Sports
"For those who know the real Fergie or who are just in awe at his
achievements, the name brings a smile and a knowing nod. Then there is the other
reaction. Often it's a shake of the head and a loud exhale, followed by a glance over
the shoulder to make sure he's not around,
snapping and snarling. That's Sir Alex Ferguson. He's plain but not ordinary. He's
frighteningly aggressive yet capable of great kindness. He is single-minded and
selfish yet warm and generous. He's complex but not complicated. He puts people into
two categories: you're either with him or against him. No half measures.
I first met Alex Ferguson when he became manager of Aberdeen. I was the local sports
writer. To say it was a turbulent time is an understatement. More than once we found
ourselves squaring up like two testosterone-charged peacocks. It was only sizing up
one another, looking for weaknesses, nothing too serious, but it helped cement a
mutual respect and friendship. Although intelligent and articulate, he was insecure.
He couldn't stand to be challenged, especially by his players and there were many
tough and bitter battles fought before he had the players on his side. It was at that
time you could see the steely determination.
He had come from the shipyards of Govan and he wasn't going back there
without a fight. And fight he did. With anyone, any authority, anything that stood
between him and success. Watch him even now: he doesn't enjoy conflict... he needs
it. It is from conflict that he draws his energy and will to win. His record at
Manchester United is outstanding and he deserves the title - although he'll hate it -
of English football's greatest manager. But his achievements at Aberdeen were probably
even greater.
Here was this small provincial club, a nice club, a club that was used to winning
something every 20 years or so and which seemed happy with that. He swept in like a
whirlwind, challenged and then destroyed the Old Firm dominance. And for a club like
Aberdeen to win the European Cup Winners' Cup - beating Real Madrid of all teams in
the final - well, for me this is still his greatest triumph. I knew, of course, we'd
lose him to a bigger club. When I was offered a job in television in Glasgow he told
me: "Take it. Don't even think about it. You must be ambitious. You must press ahead
all the time.
I had changed my mind about 10 times but from that moment on I knew what to do...and
I knew that's exactly what he would do when the chance came to go to a really big
club Tough? I'll say. Mind you...travelling back from Glasgow to Aberdeen by train one
day after he had failed to sign Frank McGarvey, he and I found ourselves in the
buffet car. And then the train broke down. We were a sorry state when we arrived in
Aberdeen six hours later. After a visit to a local Italian restaurant we headed for
his house, only to find my wife, his wife Cathy and the table set for dinner. "Oh
God, I forgot," he whispered to me. "Whatever you do, don't mention the fact that
we've already eaten. She'll kill me". So we sat down for another four courses. There
are some fights that even Alex Ferguson knows he can't win."
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[20] FACT!
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
Sir Alex Ferguson has won 14 trophies with Man Utd - the other Premiership bosses
only have seven between them.
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[19] Giggs on last week
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I would imagine the manager will go into the transfer market because if he feels
after two successive seasons that we don't have the ability to win the European Cup,
he will bring in players he feels can," Giggs told Football365.
"There is no hiding place for the players - they have to accept that changes are
inevitable. You have to put everything into perspective, we haven't become a bad team
overnight. Our record in the league is second to none and we attained the same level
of consistency this season and played to the high levels expected of us. But in
Europe it's been a different story. We've struggled and I think the team would be the
first to admit that. I wish I could pinpoint the reasons
but when it came to the big games we've simply not done enough to win games. Perhaps
the lack of competition in the league has not assisted us. It's been difficult going
from league games where nothing is at stake and facing sides like Bayern Munich in
the Champions League.
All the players are down but you have to move on, you have to look at next season and
look to improve. There is a great deal of pressure on the team but that doesn't
excuse things. We've been used to that pressure - it comes with playing for a club
like Manchester United."
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[18] More transfer gossip
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
We've been linked with Cruzeiro left-sided defender Juan Pablo Sorin. The former
Juventus and River Plate player was close on signing for Napoli last summer.
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[17] Houllier on Utd
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
"It is not my belief that United are declining. Just because you are out of the
quarter-finals of a major European competition, it doesn't mean your team is on the
way down. Their team is not declining. Look at the age of their players, some of them
are actually still progressing and improving. I don't think we are even close to being
in Manchester United's shadow yet. When you are 20 points behind them and they are
already champions it gives you a lot to think about.
We are not even within reach of being in their shadow yet. We need to improve a lot
more to catch up with them in the Premier League. But hopefully the battle with them
for the league title will be closer next season. We are progressing and developing. We
are an ambitious side and what we want now is to keep things going. But if you want to
do that, to achieve your targets, you have to live like monks. You must make sure you
rest and don't do anything silly off the field."
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[16] The 12th Utd man - there is more to come
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
United fan Karl Power told The Sun: "That was just phase one. There are five more,
each better than the last. We have people in key positions in the sports world who are
behind us - and we're going to pull off a set of scams in the next 12 months which
will amaze everybody."
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[15] International call-ups for this week
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
Jaap Stam is suspended for Holland's game against Cyprus. Quinton Fortune is in South
Africa's squad for the game against Italy. Ole is in the Norway squad to face Bulgaria
and Silvestre and Fabien Barthez are both in France's squad for a friendly against
Portugal.
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[14] Frank Stapleton on Ruud
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I don't think there is a risk. With the amount of money the club are talking here,
all the medical tests will have to have been completed before they could get
insurance. Don't forget Roy Keane was out for nine months with the same problem. He
has recovered and is now in the best form of his career. There will be a question
about him in terms of ability because although he has been playing with one of the big
clubs in Holland, he doesn't have that much experience of the Champions League. But,
judging by the type of player he is, the chances he creates and the goals he scores, I
am sure he will be a success".
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[13] Fergie on Keano challenge
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I've not seen it, but I spoke to our secretary and he thought it was a sending off.
He was quick the ref, I don't think he hesitated which suggests he was adamant."
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[12] Joe Royle on Keano challenge
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I don't think they send each other Christmas cards. He Alfie said that he was lucky
that he had his leg in the air. He's seen it again on the television and had his leg
been on the floor I think we would still be looking for it. I think Keane is a
terrific player, but I think the ref got it right and I'm sure Alex wouldn't defend
him."
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[11] He got back quickly
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
Our French correspondent spotted Fabien at the VIP club in France on Saturday night.
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[10] Cuddly Peter on Ruud's arrival
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I think we've got to say at this stage these things are never done until they are
done, but all the signs are very good and very positive. We would hope to conclude
some time next week. Once this one gets done it will be good for everybody. Before
Wednesday we were talking about what we would do in the close season to freshen up and
re-assemble what will hopefully be a Premier League-winning side for next season and
one that can do well in the Champions League.
The plans are in place and we know what we are looking to do and van Nistelrooy is the
start. I think we've said it would be more than one signing and it's a question of the
right people and not just a question of quantity. We want the right people to fit in
with our existing players."
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[9] So wouldn't it be nice then if...
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
This rise in tickets went wholly on a new player that Fergie wants.
Well, we can dream as well can't we?
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[8] Just in case you missed it
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
Michael Crick's Fan Forum report from shareholders united.
'Before today's game against City, Peter Kenyon, David Gill and Paddy
Harverson gave members of the Fans' Forum a quick briefing on next year's ticket
prices and their arrangements.
The headline bad news is hefty price rises, though there are some positive aspects to
the package.
United expect ticket revenue to go up 7 per cent next year - more than twice the rate
of inflation. Fortunately the increased are loaded towards the more expansive seats.
The 39,000 seats which currently cost between £17 and £21 will got up by a pound. By
my calculations, that's between 4.8 and 5.9%
The 23,000 seats which currently cost £22 to £24 will go up by £2. That's between 8.3
and 9.1%
And executive seats and boxes will go up 10%, having suffered no increase at all last
year.
Forum members expressed their annoyance at these rises, especially given United's
recent record interim profits and the lucrative new BSkyB deal. At least they have
taken on board the case put forward by SU and IMUSA that any increases should be
weighted towards wealthier fans.
The good news is as follows:
1. People over 65 will be guaranteed a 20% discount on their season-tickets & LMTBs
in future if they can show they are over 65. Previously such discounts were
discretionary. [It has since been pointed out to me that some OAPs currently get a
50% discount and also 50% for cup tickets. I don't know where this measures leaves
such concessions.]
2. Home League Cup games - if there are any - will see a 33% cut in ticket prices.
3. In response to urgings by SU, IMUSA and the Forum as a whole, 500
seats in East Stand Lower will be sold match-by-match to members between the ages of
11 to 16 for £9 each. This capacity will be reviewed if there is heavy demand.
4. The ST and LMTB renewal deadline will be 19 May, but payment won't be taken, i.e..
cheques cashed, or credit card payments processed, until 1 June. Renewal packages will
be sent out next week, 23-27 April.
5. There will be an amnesty for people who have had season tickets passed on to them.
6. A new facility on the United web-site will enable fans to swap ST and LMTB seats.
All these moves were in response to points made at previous meetings of the Fans'
Forum.
United's arguments for the price rises were predictable (and assisted today by the
understandable clamour from individual FF members before the briefing for Kenyon to
let Fergie spends lots of money on new players). United certainly planned to invest in
new players, Kenyon and Gill said, plus new facilities at Carrington, and player wages
are rising rapidly.
They also claimed out that prices were also rising at other PL clubs & that even with
these rises United will be no higher than 13th in the league table of the highest
prices next season. It was acknowledged that Sunderland & Aston Villa intend to
freeze and/or cut their prices, but said they can't always fill their grounds.
On behalf of SU I said very firmly that the prices rises were unacceptably high and
that many fans would not be able to afford them. But I did welcome the fact that the
burden is weighted towards the more expensive seating, and the fact that the club had
responded to Fans' Forum points with its other measures.
Michael Crick'
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[7] Red News comment on Season Ticket prices
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
Well, for once, let's give credit first where credit is due. Even those it's only a
partial listen they have taken notice of some fans' concerns - and upping the Exec
prices so that the heavier increases go to those that can afford it is to be comended,
and plain bloody obvious. Also the youth allocation and mass OAP discounts (although
as you would have read in RN 76 there are some anomalies in that system). We'd hope
that for the lower end there would have been a price freeze - just like the Execs got
- and there should have been. But we doubt we'll ever see another price freeze again
and for the lowest end at least it is only a £1 - we take real umbridge at the £2
charge rise for the middle end. That is a £4 increase in 2 years - simply not good
enough Utd.
Each year more and more people find it ever harder to afford their books - and whilst
we also say well done on the amnesty and later date to pay - we suppose agreeing to
all our requests was just hoping for miracles.
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[6] Keano pulls out of Eire squad
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From Ananova
'Skipper Roy Keane has pulled out of the Republic of Ireland's squad for Wednesday's
World Cup qualifier against Andorra with a hamstring injury.
But it is debatable whether Ireland manager Mick McCarthy would have played Keane
against the minnows of Andorra in Dublin as he is just one booking away from
suspension for the key Group Two clash with Portugal.'
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[5] Barthez speaks - RED NEWS EXCLUSIVE TRANSLATION
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
By Marc for Red News.
Fabien yesterday on french TV :
"I had improved this year. I am more relax before games, more focused on the pitch.
But I can still improve."
"The english public is fantastic. I have played at Liverpool, Leeds, Arsenal
- and you know in England they don't really like us - but I am rarely abused, I have
never received anything from the stands. It's fabulous."
"The title of champion is the most important thing, it shows the regularity of the
team. One morning I arrived at the club and they were all celebrating. I did not know
we were champions. I thought Arsenal had won !"
"Of course it was the right choice to come to united. My only regret is not to have
signed before because I could have gone there before. I hope to stau for a lot more
years there."
"The most impressive players of the team ? Roy Keane, yes. Very impressive, he works
so much, he is always running. Ryan Giggs also, when give im the ball you can go all
the way."
"Morning kick-off, it's fabulous. You wake up at 8, you play. It's like when you are
kid."
"Yes, more and more little tricks I know. But once I will caught, it's the game (
laughs )."
"I really enjoy playing there. It comes from the environment of the club, the
atmosphere. They do everything for you to feel good."
"I arrived at the club one year ago of course and it's still all new. But really,
when you see how they respect players, how they treat them as men...I can't imagine
myself anywhere else. Every morning, you enjoy going to work. I hope to play as long
as possible there."
About Karl Power : "We also saw him but I don't know, we thought it was organized.
And it was funny, wasn't it ?"
on city : " Before the game, I agreed with Scholes that I would take the penalty but
it was still 0-0 so he wanted to take it. The second one, Teddy really wanted to take
it. It's their job after all. But I hope to score soon!"
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[4] French papers are
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
having Yorke linked with Marseille. Very unlikely.
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[3] Ruud passes medical
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From PA
'Ruud van Nistelrooy has passed a medical and is expected to complete his signing to
Manchester United this week. The 24-year-old had a medical over the weekend, and this
confirmed that there is no permanent problem from the serious cruciate knee ligament
injury he suffered a year ago. United have agreed a fee with PSV Eindhoven, believed
to be in the same region as the £18million fee agreed before his injury. Van
Nistelrooy and United just need to finalise personal terms before the completion of
the deal is announced.'
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[2] The man from Utd he say no, the man from Celtic he say yes
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
This isn't confirmed so don't go booking just yet but whilst Paddy H at Utd says we
will NOT be playing Celtic on May 15th for Tommy Boyd's testimonial - we've just
checked with a Parkhead source who says it is ON, kick off 7.45pm and they even have a
testimonial board. As soon as it is confirmed one way or the other we'll let you know.
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[1] Here we go round the merry-go-round
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Posted Monday, April 23, 2001 by bar-knee:
As 2+2=5 in every tabloid since last Wednesday as we've now been linked with well over
40 players in just these past few days. Dyer and Ball kept being mentioned in the
Sunday tabloids - but as Fergie hasn't even been told how much he'll get it's wait and
see. Strong rumours inside OT that it'll be Ruud in (possibly deal confirmed this or
next week) with Dwight on his way.