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--------------------------------- [20] Cuddly Pete on time scale --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: “Our scouts have been scouting constantly around certain positions. It is not just about going to the World Cup and seeing who has done well over a four-week tournament. That is one of the worst things we can do. We will have identified and been following some players and in some cases the World Cup may be a confirmation but in other cases they may not even be there. The only real impact of the World Cup is that there are an awful lot of people out of the loop for four or five weeks. Probably it will be July or August before we do business. Any new players we want in for pre-season so they become part of the squad.” --------------------------------- [19] Cuddly Pete reflects --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: “But how many, who and when, is all to be resolved. There has been no formal communications for any players yet. We have not even started that process yet. There is a limit to how many players you can have in your squad and that has not changed. We are satisfied the number we have in our squad is right. We are not going to just keep adding. Players going is all part and parcel of the balance. The quality players we have want to play football. We don’t need players to sit on the bench. We also have good youngsters who need to break through and that is an important part of their development. We are after what is right for us. We always budget for transfers, we have to do, but how much is something we don’t make public.” --------------------------------- [18] Wolves deny Irwin interest --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: "There was a lot of speculation earlier in the season, it's been doing the rounds for quite some time. It's been in the local media repeatedly but I'm surprised it's re-appeared now with the way the season's turned out. All I can say is that at this stage it's just speculation, there's been no firm move at all." --------------------------------- [17] Fergie comments after Saturday --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: "We are hurting. It's not easy to see the Championship taken from us. But we have to be honest and say we simply weren't good enough to win it again. To lose six games at home is no foundation for winning the League and we hold up our hands. Arsenal were the better side over the season." --------------------------------- [16] More on Fergie programme tonight --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: >From the Mirror 'The Ferguson Factor, a documentary to be screened tonight at 10.35pm on BBC1. The programme takes an in-depth look at Ferguson's career from his early days in charge of St Mirren right up to the present day. Former United winger Keith Gillespie reveals how Fergie used him as a 'gofer' to place big-money bets on horse racing. Gillespie, now with Blackburn, was addicted to gambling and once blew £47,000 in one day. But, rather than help him fight his addiction, Gillespie claims the culture at United encouraged him to gamble. The programme also includes a never-before-screened 1995 exchange with John Motson which ends with Ferguson telling the commentator he will be barred and ordering the interview scrapped. Motson angers Fergie by asking if he would punish Roy Keane, who had just been sent off for the third time in 14 games. Former England winger Lee Sharpe also angered Ferguson, who arrived at his home after receiving reports of a wild party there. "He clipped everyone around the ear, told them to get out and gave me the biggest rollicking of my career," said Sharpe. "But he didn't find the apprentices hiding in a cupboard." --------------------------------- [15] Eric quotes in full --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: "I signed a contract and they did not respect anything. At that time they thought that merchandising was more important than the team and players. When the business is more important than the football I just give up, rather than be treated like a pair of socks, a shirt or a s***. I am not a s*** at all." --------------------------------- [14] Cuddly Pete on Becks, life the universe and everything --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: "We believe David will be a player who wants to continue with us even when this new contract finishes. This is his fourth contract with us, and there is nothing to suggest that he wouldn't want to stay here - we would want him to I'm sure. We had resolved the playing contract in real terms last Christmas, the delay was assessing the business and image side of the worth of that to David and, critically, to Manchester United. The reality is there is a lot of talk about image contracts, but this was a real one - this was about grant of rights for real use that will derive value for both parties, You have to recognise, and probably we've seen it in last four or five weeks when he's not been playing football, the amount of attention he gets so I think he is quite unique in football - it isn't just about what he does on a field. And it's not just about what he does in England either because two weekends ago I was in Singapore and he's just as exposed there as in this part of the w! orld. That's what's taken the time in terms of detail. We couldn't complete the playing part of the contract without the image rights because they are interlocked. This is a unique contract, unique to David Beckham and I don't think it's applicable to other players. I'm sure over the next seven weeks when the players are away on international duty at the World Cup you'll see the real amount of exposure he'll get as England captain. f you are talking about image it's hard to comprehend there is anyone bigger than him. No matter where we travel as a team or individuals he's synonymous as a footballer playing with Manchester United and everyone else comes a close second." Having finally sorted Beckham's contract, Kenyon and boss Sir Alex Ferguson will now turn their attentions to making up to four summer signings. This is not about wholesale changes it's about strengthening in selected areas and we'll get on to that soon. We haven't started on that yet, we'd all committed ourselves to seeing this season out and it could have been very different following Wednesday, it really was a battle until the end so that will start now and we will move into position to do something. We have the World Cup as well so that will take four or five weeks, but I am sure there will be new faces because we have several players out of contract so we know we have to strengthen and we'll do that. We know what sort of squad size we need and that will be taken into account." --------------------------------- [13] Nothing new --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: Although Eric's quotes make for interesting reading it should be noted that this is not a new revelation - Eric has said for some time that it was the PLC that was one of the reasons behind his departure - that his image was being exploited for profit and he wanted extra money because of the larger merchandising money the name Eric Cantona was providing for the club. Red News first said all this when Eric left the club. --------------------------------- [12] Becks' contract request --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: >From the Mail 'United's rebuilding plans began to take shape only 24 hours after a curious conclusion to the extended contract talks with David Beckham. Old Trafford insiders revealed last night that the club had been asked by Beckham for a set of goalposts as part of the negotiations. He wants them to stand in the garden of his Hertfordshire home as 'a monument to Manchester United'. United officials found it difficult to track down a set of original posts but eventually unearthed a pair first used during Euro 96. Beckham said: 'I thought it was a totally original way of demonstrating my loyalty to the club which has made me the player I am today.' The England captain, who strolled around the Old Trafford pitch on Saturday following the final act of two years of negotiations, added: 'I'm glad the contract issue is resolved. To leave here would have been a mistake.' --------------------------------- [11] Fergie on this season --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: "This season has given us a kick in the right place. We can't take anything for granted and we know that now. We're not going to jump up and down and make promises but we will be back." --------------------------------- [10] Transfer targets --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: Thuram and David James according to the Mail. --------------------------------- [9] Cuddly Pete warns Arsenal --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: "I think Arsenal will find it takes more than one season of success to make a club the best. If you look at their squad, they have major work to do. They have to bring the age down. There has been a lot of euphoria at Arsenal about winning two trophies. Their achievement is a big one, but at United we see our job as being about sustaining what we have done and building on it. The last time Arsenal won a Double in 1998, we replied by winning the Treble. You can draw your own conclusions from that." --------------------------------- [8] Cuddly Pete on summer spending --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: "The defence is the area we are looking to improve. In terms of how much money there will be to spend, that hasn't been decided." --------------------------------- [7] It's Dr Keane to you --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: Roy Keane, picked up his Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) conferred on him at University College Cork at the weekend. --------------------------------- [6] Becks new deal to be discussed?! --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by bar-knee: >From the SUN 'DAVID BECKHAM'S new contract could have to be renegotiated as early as next summer. Beckham, 27, has signed a four-year deal with one year back-dated to the start of talks 12 months ago. That means that the England skipper is only contracted to Manchester United for the next three years. It is the club's policy to begin negotiations on new contracts two years before the end of their current deals. So a whole new round of talks will start again this time next year. Beckham's new deal is worth £70,000 a week plus a further £20,000 a week in image rights. Chief executive Peter Kenyon said: "David has been a unique case because of his global image and that is what has taken the time. But we believe we have agreed a deal of mutual benefit to both himself and the club." --------------------------------- [5] Quote Of The Day So Far --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by Farrell: Again TDJ sums in all up nicely on the Red News Forum in response to the "Who Should Go" thread with; "The morons who ring Sky and 606 and say Fergie should resign, any fan who turns on their own players, John Saddler, Alan Green, and all those at the mi**or". And so say all of us... --------------------------------- [4] Charlie Gets Big Time, part 3145 --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by Farrell: Paul Ince has reiterated his desire to stay at Middlesbrough - but has warned the club he will not wait around forever for a new contract. The Boro skipper, who is now out of contract at The Riverside, admitted he has yet to agree terms with the club - and he warned them that he will soon be looking elsewhere if he does not get what he wants on Teesside. "The ball is in the club's court," said the 34-year-old. "We have been having talks but at this stage I can't say for definite that I will be here next season. "It's up to the chief executive, Keith Lamb, to sort it out - he has to make the next move. I have told them what I want and they have to come back to me." Ince, also wanted by Everton and Manchester city, insists the current stand-off has nothing to do with the length of contract offers, suggesting that pay must be the stumbling block to him staying at a club he insists he has a lot of affection for. "I am happy at Boro," he said. "The fans have been great to me, but now it's up to the club." Id be absolutely "Keegan" if he ended up at city, Big Club for a Big Time Charlie? Expect an "ideas well, well, well above there station" special!! --------------------------------- [3] Ronnie's Future Uncertain --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by Farrell: Ronnie Johnsen has admitted that he doesn't have any concrete plans for where he is heading for next season. "I will start this season with blank pages so this will be exciting" he said. "Its always that way when you change clubs but especially when you dont know anything. After all i'm not sure if anyone wants me" "It will be strange to say goodbye to Manchester United, very strange actually. Its a fantastic club where I had a great time" "I feel that I have several years left as a football player, especially as I have got rid of my jumpers' knee problems" When asked about interest from his country from Lillestrom and Lyn he stated "No, I will not travel home" If you are really stuck Ronnie you could always come and work for Red News, perfect match for you as we dont know what were doing (next season or otherwise most of the time), We dont know if anyone wants us and phrases along the lines of "No, I will not go home" are frequently used by all of us. Seriously though, Im sure that Ronnie will be missed by Reds everywhere and wish him the best of luck for the future. --------------------------------- [2] For Anyone Even Considering Buying The M**ror Today --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by Farrell: Just dont bother, OK? And they wonder why Fergie turns round and has a go at them? "IN his immortal poem, If, Rudyard Kipling famously counselled us to "Meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same." As Manchester United's season slipped away, it was heart-warming to see Sir Alex Ferguson completely ignoring that advice. "Go f*** yerself, Kipling. Yous are a f***ing idiot. F*** yous and yer f***ing poem." What a pity Fergie couldn't have joined 32GG model Alicia Douval at the Arsenal celebration. Then the party would have boasted the three biggest tits in the country." Expect fireworks, my friends, because as they say if you pull a tigers tail, you should expect to be bitten... --------------------------------- [1] God Slates PLC --------------------------------- Posted Monday, May 13, 2002 by Farrell: >From Ananova: Eric Cantona has hit out at Manchester United's board over his shock exit from Old Trafford in 1997. The Frenchman walked away from the game while seemingly still at his peak and blames United's desire for commercial success for that decision. "I signed a contract and they did not respect anything," quotes the Daily M**ror. "At that time they thought that merchandising was more important than the team and the players. "When the business is more important than the football I just give up, rather than be treated like a pair of socks or a shirt. "The manager agreed with me at the time." The quotes are taken from an interview with Cantona to be featured on Monday night's BBC1 programme The Ferguson Factor. ---------------------------------------------------------- This email has been filtered for swear words which cause some email systems to block messages. ----------------------------------------------------------
