Andrew's EU Blog from Brussels

The new season is nigh and after getting into the Twitter phenomenon I thought of a cunning idea - write a match report of every match I watch - in Twitter style. Naturally 140 characters is rather short for a review so each review will be restricted to 3 tweets aka 420 characters. Short make for an interesting season! Should make for an interesting and challenging season! The number of characters is written in brackets, click here for archive of entries. (418)

Key for post headings:

PL = Premier League
CB = Confidis Cup (Belgian equiv. of FA Cup)
CH = Championship
CL = European Champions League
CLQ = Champions League Qualifying Match
FA = FA Cup

Labels: 3Tweet, Manchester United, Sport

Posted by Andrew at 5:32 PM | Permalink | Comments

Good evening from Old Trafford!

I'm currently sat with my girlfriend in the North-West quandrant of Old Trafford eagerly anticipating the arrival of the two teams for tonight's friendly match. We have quite a spectacular view as you can see from the photo below from the club's official website for tonight's game which I hope United will emerge as victors.

Stay tuned to my twitter account (@andrewjburgess) as I shall be posting updates from the night!

Labels: Manchester United

Posted by Andrew at 7:20 PM | Permalink | Comments

Ahead of Wednesday night's visit of Valencia to Old Trafford, its time to reflect on a rather bizarre and somewhat mixed pre-season for Manchester United. It began out in Asia, where let's be honest it proved to be more of a marketing exercise and a leg-stretcher rather then competitive matches at Premier League quality and intensity.

Their first leg of the tour had been scheduled to take place in Indonesia but the team was forced to cancel after their Jakarta hotel was targeted by a lone bomber (Guardian article). Instead, they played a second match against a Malaysian select XI, winning the first contest 3-2 with goals from Wayne Rooney, Nani and Michael Owen (below) marking his debut with a late decisive strike (report), and winning the second contest 2-0 with further goals from Federico Macheda and Owen (report).

The following week, the team flew to Seoul, South Korea where native Park Ji-Sung rejoined the team and received a rapturous welcome from the home fans. As for the match, United ran out 3-2 winners with goals from Rooney, Macheda and Dimitar Berbatov (report), who also got on the scoresheet in the following match.

Returning to China, United put in their best performance of the tour and comprehensively thrashed side Hangzhou Greentown by a scoreline of 8-2 (report). Ryan Giggs took the headlines with his hattrick, but Owen added two more to his United tally, Zoran Tosic opened his account, Nani added another and Berbatov (below) got in on the act too.

The positives to come back from Asia largely came in the form of new signing Michael Owen who scored four goals in the three matches, but also the encouraging performances from youngsters Macheda, Darren Gibson, Craig Cathcart, Jonny Evans, Fabio and Tosic all of whom have big futures at the club. Despite his mistake in Malaysia, Ben Foster still showed he can take the mantel from Edwin van der Sar.

Since then we’ve seen the appearance (and successful one at that) of another new signing Antonio Valencia in Munich at the Audi Cup where he scored on his debut against Boca Juniors (report). Unfortunately, United lost 7-6 on penalties to Bayern Munich in the final of that particular tournament (report), but the Audi Cup certainly stepped up the club’s preparations.

Wednesday night's match against Valencia, one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish football, should be the sternest of their pre-season tests. The Spanish side finished in sixth place in La Liga last season and boast stars such as Joaquin, Rubén Baraja and the highly rated David Villa. Should be a good match!

Labels: Manchester United

Posted by Andrew at 9:06 PM | Permalink | Comments

Manchester United's brand new home shirt for the 2009/10 season has this morning hit the shops. And it looks quite different from last season...

My first reaction was one of shock, I thought it looked horrid. Furthermore I was even surprised there is a new shirt as there will be another new one the season after after AIG, the troubled US insurer, revealed it would not be renewing its shirt sponsorship deal that is to due to expire in May.

But the more I look at it, the more I begin the like it. But there is in fact a good, and historical reason, behind the added black stripe. It has been described by many media outlets as looking like a rugby shirt compared with today's sleek, modern designs, but as explained by Old Trafford representatives this shirt has a proud place in the club's history.

As they describe, it was in this kit (picture left) that Ernest Mangnall's men won United's first FA Cup in 1909, 100 years ago. In that final, their opponents were Bristol City who also sport red as their first-choice kit. Because of this, both sides were forced to wear neutral colours.

United opted to ditch the usual scarlet number sported back then, but kept a dash of red with the V. It was V for victory, right enough; inside-forward Sandy Turnbull netting the game's only goal.

The V design returned briefly between 1922 and 1927, and now makes its emphatic return in 2009.

Labels: Manchester United

Posted by Andrew at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments

Sad news for football rumour lovers. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson announced this afternoon that he will spend no more money this summer on players. Before revealing that "old codger" Michael Owen will wear the coveted number 7 shirt this season, SAF posed alongside new arrivals Owen, Antonio Valencia and former Bordeaux winger Gabriel Obertan at the club's Carrington training ground earlier today (below).

Ferguson feels the transfer market is now over-inflated and does not want to pay over the odds for players, so has called time on United's transfer dealings. He added: "There are some amazing numbers being talked about, not all of them realistic. It is very difficult to get value now" (full article).

In a way I'm disappointed, not solely because I love the transfer window and all the stories that develop, but also because I fear we lack a little strength in depth in attack to counterbalance the departure of Ronaldo and Tevez. That said, Ferguson did hint that the promising youngsters Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda will get more chance to shine this year so hopefully that will prove to be a success.

Perhaps all the remaining money (some £80m) will be put to use in the January window or perhaps saved until next year, we shall see. But in Fergie we trust!

Labels: Manchester United

Posted by Andrew at 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments

While living in Bordeaux I saw a lot of Obertan on the pitch and was impressed with what I saw. He plays predominantly in the same position as Ronaldo used to occupy - namely attacking right-midfield - but can also play upfront as a striker or as a out-and-out winger.

At the tender age of 17 and after having spent only one year in the reserve team, he was promoted to the Bordeaux senior squad for the 2006–07 season and given the number 26 shirt. He signed a new contract ahead of the following season in which he played 26 matches and managed to score two goals.

The arrival (and consequent massive success) of Yoann Gourcuff on loan from AC Milan last season limited Obertan's first team opportunities and he ended last season on loan at fellow Ligue 1 side FC Lorient where he made a further 15 appearances add scored one goal.

I imagine he won't be able to keep his number 26 shirt as that is currently assigned to young and upcoming Angolan striker Manucho, and I do not expect him to go immediately into the United side. He is widely regarded in France as the new Thierry Henry and so for £3 million, this move feels like quite a coup.

He is only 20 years of age - one for the future.

Speaking on the official website, manager Alex Ferguson said: "Gabriel is a player we have tracked for a few years now, but because of his educational programme our efforts to get him here have always been delayed. We are delighted to get him now as he is an exciting prospect. We like to get young players and develop them, and we will see that in Gabriel over the next two years."

Labels: Manchester United, Sport

Posted by Andrew at 2:01 PM | Permalink | Comments

As I write, the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and more recently Newcastle United striker Michael Owen is undergoing a medical at Manchester United ahead of signing for the Premier League Champions.

This news has come as a great shock to myself and I’m sure the many millions of Manchester United fans around the world, but looking beyond the English strikers’ past, this could well be a very shrewd acquisition by Sir Alex Ferguson.

For many, the fact that Michael Owen, now 29 years of age, first made a name for himself in the red shirt of rivals Liverpool means that he will not be received with open arms. After all not many have played for both clubs, with the last being Paul Ince, and Manchester United fans will know what an impact Ince made in the red shirt of the Champions…

The major concern I have with the move the likelihood of Owen contributing for a large number of matches throughout the season. Since signing for Newcastle United from Real Madrid for £16m in 2005, Owen has only managed 76 appearances in the black and white shirt over four seasons and has been sidelined with numerous injuries. Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce, who managed Owen in his short spell in charge at Newcastle, commented recently that he would not even consider signing the striker now because he was too injury-prone (article).

Nonetheless, his goalscoring record speaks for itself. In 297 games for Liverpool, he scored 158 goals, averaging at 1.88 goals per game. When he moved to Real Madrid naturally his first team chances was restricted, but in one season he still managed to find the net 16 times in 43 appearances. And yet, despite his four injury-plagued seasons on Teesside, Owen still managed to score 30 goals.

Should Owen be fit, he will undoubtedly score goals.

Owen, however, is not the same player as Carlos Tevez was. He is absolutely not the same player as Cristiano Ronaldo was. He would bring a different style to the Manchester United frontline – that is if he passes the very stringent medical examination that I am sure the Red Devils’ management will insist upon. Owen used to be quick (remember his goal in the 2002 World Cup against Argentina) and at 29 he won’t be as quick as he once was. With that said he has a vast amount of experience and will be a terrific player for the youngsters Federico Macheda and Danny Wellbeck to mature around.

The best part of this possible transfer however is the cost. Owen is of course available on a free transfer as his contract at Newcastle expired on Wednesday morning. Reports from Sky Sports today suggests that the potential deal would see Owen accept a massive reduction in his salary (which priced too many other clubs out of the race for his services this summer) and his wage would be constituted by massive bonuses based on appearances.

This would be a superb arrangement as Owen would essentially only be paid if he played. Combine this with the fact that he would not cost Sir Alex Ferguson anything in terms of transfer fee and you start to see the sense this deal makes. It is a gamble with very little to loose.

You might recall that Ferguson also took similar gambles on injury-prone players in the past, most notably Laurent Blanc, Teddy Sheringham and of course a certain Eric ‘the King’ Cantona (left). He also managed to get a decent season or two from the aging Juan Sebastian Veron and more recently some tremendous and important performances from Henrik Larsson when he joined on loan from Helsingborg in December 2006.

Sure he used to play for Liverpool, and sure he has had his problems with injuries in the past, but just those names proof that if anyone can get something out of an injury-prone aging player then it is Fergie. The fact there is no transfer fee involved is yet another bonus and even if he doesn’t play many matches in a United shirt he won’t be a massive burden on the wage bill and such a financial flop – aka Fabien Barthez.

Michael Owen therefore is a gamble worth taking.

But it is important to add also that he should not be the ONLY addition to the United attacking line. The arrival of Antonio Valencia for £16m from Wigan Athletic this week is a step in the right direction but Fergie will need to add a few more high profile names. With £64m burning a hole in the pocket it is likely to be a busy summer in the transfer market at Old Trafford. (It is a real shame that Karim Benzema won’t be joining.)

EDIT (18.55GMT): Michael Owen signs two-year contract at Manchester United.

Labels: Comment, Manchester United, Sport

Posted by Andrew at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments

Since the announcement of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record £80m transfer to Real Madrid, Manchester United have inevitably been linked to lots of stars as replacements. Here is how I hope the Premier League Champions line up at Wembley to face Chelsea in the Community Shield on August 9th:

Goalkeeper:

You really cannot beat Edwin van der Sar. He may be 40 years of age in October, but he was a formidable goalkeeper last season and deservedly entered the record books for a clean-sheet record of 1,311 minutes (11 consecutive games). Hopefully we can still get a few more seasons from Edwin before he retires, which should be long enough to usher Ben Foster through the ranks.

Defence:

To be honest there really is not much that needs to be done now. The aforementioned run of clean sheets proved that the United defensive unit is effective and can overcome injuries within the unit, with Jonny Evans proving himself more than capable as a stand-in for Rio Ferdinand alongside Nemanja Vidić. However, in my ‘dreamteam’ I’ve preserved the Ferdinand-Vidić because it is the strongest partnership in the heart of defence, but Evans deservedly takes his place on my ‘dream’ subs bench.

Ferguson needs to realise that Gary Neville’s day are over at United. At 34 years of age he has been displaced at right-back by the 18 year-old Rafael de Silva who has been impressive every time I have seen him play, and scored a spectacular volley in the 90th minute of only his seventh game for the club (the 2–1 defeat to Arsenal in November 2008). With this in mind, Ferdinand, Vidić, Giggs or Carrick should be considered to take over the club captain’s armband.

Midfield:

As you would expect, United will miss Ronaldo’s presence but I feel they already have enough talent to fill the void. Particularly in the form of his Portuguese compatriot Nani, who has seen first-team action very limited this year as you would expect being second in line to the World Player of the Year. I hope that Nani will see more action this year but on the grounds that he has not played enough, he takes his place on the bench.

I have instead opted for the South Korean Park Ji-Sung, who as many of you will probably know, I am a huge fan. Every time he plays he runs his socks off and gives everything for the team, normally to the extent he has to be subbed off! He has grabbed a few important goals himself, most notably against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but if he can contribute more goals it will go a long way to filling the 30/40 goals a season Ronaldo somehow always recorded.

In the centre of the park, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher have proved to be a very effective unit with Fletcher taking the more attacking approach and Carrick remaining predominantly defensive yet still recording goals from long-range.

The rumoured acquisition of Wigan Athletic’s Ecuadorian midfielder Antonio Valencia would be an excellent move and add pace to the wings. He is rumoured to be priced in the region of £21m which does seem to be a lot of money, but he could provide to be a superb addition to the team. He also has age on his side being only 23, but I fear that his arrival could further deny Nani his chance and could perhaps force him to look elsewhere.

Attack:

Wayne Rooney has often been deployed on the wing in a very attacking mode and I have stuck with this because in time I think this will reap rewards. It has already worked wonders with Rooney’s techniques and has massively benefited his game. Unfortunately this move by Ferguson in the latter part of the season has meant that his goal tally has dried up, but with such an attacking role it will surely only be a matter of time before the goals will come.

As for Dimitar Berbatov, he’s not impressed me enough since his £30.75m move from Tottenham Hotspur on deadline day back in September 2008 to make the starting 11 and must settle for a place on the bench. But that is certainly not the case for Carlos Tévez. Just like Park, he gives his all for the team and you really cannot fault his effort. He has won over the United fans and is a true fan-favourite with some very important goals in the title run-in.

His loan deal with United expires this summer and there are many issues regarding who ‘owns’ the player and £25m is apparently the amount that United would have to pay to own the player outright. It should be the first priority for United to get Carlos Tevez to sign on the dotted line on a permanent contact with the Red Devils.

The sale of Ronaldo has finally also given United the opportunity to turn their interest into a confirmed transfer and bring the extremely talented young French striker Karim Benzema from Olympique Lyonnais. He has been very impressive in the matches I’ve seen him play, he has Champions League experience, and despite only being 21 years of age he is a regular in the French national team. If United can sign him for less than £30m that would be an absolute steal.

With Tevez and Benzema up front and with Rooney and Park contributing with attacking runs from the wings, that would make a wonderful attacking front-line and I believe would contribute more goals than last season. The defence needs to be preserved so all approaches for Vidić need to be emphatically rejected, and Foster needs to see more first-team action next season too.

And so the three main objectives for Sir Alex Ferguson this summer are: 1) sign Carlos Tevez to a permanent contract, 2) remove Gary Neville as club captain and 3) sign Karim Benzema and Antonio Valencia. With that team I would expect the Champions to retain that privileged status this time next year.

Labels: Comment, Manchester United, Sport

Posted by Andrew at 3:22 PM | Permalink | Comments

So there it is, Barcelona have beaten Manchester United 2-0 in the Champions League Final in Rome and to some up my feelings I'm gutted.

That was not Manchester United out there, they never got going, never played like they have all season. Playing the long-ball over the top on a soaking-wet pitch was never going to work and they were completely outplayed in the centre of the park, something that has not happened to that extent this season.

The United team have played 67 times this season and have only lost seven matches, which is an incredible stat. You could argued they were jinxed from the offset as no team has retained the Champions League in its history and Manchester United never play well in their away strip.

Another incredible stat is that Barcelona had scored 157 goals in all competitions this season - they were always going to score tonight. But it is the manner of the goals that is really really disappointing, with the first goal from Samuel Eto'o coming COMPLETELY against the run of play in what was Barcelona's first actual attack of the game.

The second game from Lionel Messi, who most are proclaiming the best in the world. I disagree. I think he's horrendously over-rated. The same cannot be said for Andres Inisesta and Xavi in the midfield - they were both absolutely sublime and are worthy winners.

Barcelona have been the best team in Europe this season and deserve their win tonight - can be no complaints. It would have been nice if United turned in a performance like we saw week in week out in the Premier League, but alas it was not meant to be.

I really wish I was a betting man as I had a feeling today it would be 2-0 Barcelona with Eto and Messi the scorers - guess that sums up my day too.

Desperately disappointed with the defeat but Barcelona were the better team on the night.

It was men against boys out there, and unfortunately not the 'dream final' that I and everyone else wanted.

Labels: Comment, Manchester United, Sport

Posted by Andrew at 9:44 PM | Permalink | Comments

Good grief. Manchester United have won the Champions League again, defeating Chelsea 6-5 in a penalty shoot-out in Moscow.

United should have sealed the game in the first half once Ronaldo had opened the scoring but Chelsea got a lucky break and scored, and then dominated the rest of the match.

The ever-reliable Ronaldo predictably missed a penalty in the final shoot-out and I sat motionless head in hands convinced it was all over. Chelsea captain John Terry slipped (really couldn't happen to a nicer guy...) and then the United keeper Van Der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka's penalty to win the game.

In addition to all this, the disgraceful Didier Drogba got his deserved marching orders in the second half of extra time, and Ryan Giggs made club history by breaking Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time appearance record.

Honestly, the night had it all.

I just wish that United would do it the easy way for once... Give all their loyal fans a little less stress and anxiety! (And I thought the 1999 final was bad enough!) Well done guys, I'm sure the vodka will be flowing tonight...

Labels: Manchester United, Sport

Posted by Andrew at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

Fifty years ago today, 6th February 1958, was the day that will be remembered as the day when football as it used to be known died.

The Munich air crash claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight Manchester United players who were returning from a European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade. Those eight players were eight of the most exciting footballers of the generation; the Busby Babes.

The plane had stopped to re-fuel in Munich en route to Manchester but it had been snowing in Munich and the plane over-shot the runway when the pilot attempted to take off for a third time. One of its wings hit a house and then the plane hit another building causing it to crash and catch fire.

United manager Sir Matt Busby was badly injured and had to have blood transfusions after the crash, while Sir Bobby Charlton suffered minor injuries. Others weren't so lucky, Manchester United and the whole of the footballing community lost Roger Byrne (captain), Mark Jones, Eddie Colman, Tommy Taylor, Liam (Billy) Whelan, Duncan Edwards, David Pegg and Geoff Bent.

The crash also claimed the lives of many sporting journalists, including Alf Clarke, Don Davies, George Follows, Tom Jackson, Archie Ledbrooke, Henry Rose, Eric Thompson and Frank Swift.

Others killed:Walter Crickmer (Manchester United club secretary, who was in charge of the side during the Second World War); Bert Whalley (chief coach and former United player); Tom Curry (club trainer); Captain Kenneth Rayment (co-pilot); Bela Miklos (travel agent); Willie Satinoff (fan); Tom Cable (air steward).

The tragedy of the crash changed football as we know it today and many argue that it was the birth of Manchester United as we know today. Busby's methods of using younger players is still in force today with the average age of the United team well below that of other Premiership teams.

On Sunday, there will be a minute's silence prior to Manchester United's home Premier League game against Manchester City. United players will wear a 1950s-style kit, free from sponsorship and numbered one to 11, while City will also wear a special strip. It will no doubt be a very poignant occaison, a chance to remember those special players who in the words of Sir Bobby Charlton were the best he's ever played with and whose lives were snatched away from us.

We will remember them.

Labels: Current Affairs, Manchester United, Sport

Posted by Andrew at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments

Bring on the new football season because Man Utd will be better next year I'm sure. Why's that? Well they're on the brink of confirming the signing of three superb players. Tonight the Premiership Champions have confirmed "in principle" deals to sign Anderson from FC Porto and Nani from Sporting Lisbon; two superb young players (pictured left).

Ferguson is once again wisely investing in youth, with 19-year-old Brazilian Anderson and 20-year-old Portuguese winger Nani soon to be joined by the amazing English Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves. Anderson has been recently named in the Brazilian squad and Nani has been compared to his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo in his homeland Portugal, with similiar pace and trickery.

So with Hargreaves joining, Ferguson will have the incredible choice between: Ronaldo, Anderson, Nani, Giggs, Scholes, Carrick, Hargreaves, Richardson, O'Shea, Smith, Park and dare I even mention Fletcher, for four midfield spots!

Absolutely amazing, well done Fergie, United for the title (again...)

Labels: Manchester United

Posted by Andrew at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments

Liverpool 0 Manchester United 1

There really aren't many things in this world that I enjoy more than a win against our biggest rivals Liverpool. What makes it even better is when it's away at Anfield, and when it's totally undeserved. So as you can guess I'm enjoying this one!

I have to admit that United did not deserve to win the game. But in the same way Scholes did not deserve to be dismissed, United should've had a penalty for a trip on Saha and Liverpool really should have scored at least 4 or 5. But they didn't, and United left with the three points despite only managing ONE shot on target, and that was the goal in the 91st minute...

Away to Liverpool is without a doubt the hardest game of the season for United in my opinion, and prior to the kick-off I didn't have a good feeling about it. United had only just escaped with a win against Fulham in their last match, and Liverpool hadn't conceded at home in ages. The whole game was pretty much played in United's half, and I honestly thought it was only a matter of time before Liverpool scored. Crouch really should have in the 88th minute, but it was a stunning save from Van Der Sar, who I really wish I could emulate on the pitch myself - best keeper in the Premier League this year, sans doute.

Anyway, the video below (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1cody_liverpool-0-1-man-utd-oshea-goal)is the winning goal. Enjoy it to your hearts' content United fans, I sure am!

Glory Glory Man Utd - Premier League Champions 2006/7

Labels: Manchester United, Sport

Posted by Andrew at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments