comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 18 seconds ago
"SAF has said that we offered the contract, but Rooney refused to even look at it, saying he wanted to leave due to our lack of ambition. He also said that the contract signed was the same as the one that we originally offered. Now unless you have any inside knowledge on the matter, I am probably going to take notice of those involved in the situation. "

Ok, by me saying Rooney wanting a new contract, I meant an improved contract. The contract he signed was not the same as the one he eventually signed, unless David Gill lied in front of the House of Commons Select Committee.
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Pretty sure that Gill never said that we had given Rooney more than the initial contract offer. Didn't he defend the accusation that we had rewarded Rooney for bad behaviour by giving him a new contract? I'd be interested to see some direct quotes though if you know any different?

I say that based off probably about the 7 or 8 times I've seen Dortmund play over the past year, highlights of the type of goals he scores and, of course, the necessary YouTube compilation!

Even after watching him for 30 minutes I think it's quite clear he looks more comfortable as a forward player than as a midfielder. That's just me, though.

I remember that Rooney contract saga quite well. SAF played the victim perfectly. He got nearly everyone on his side. Fans, media, other managers. Fergie's MUTV interview was a classic. It was that of someone who'd been hurt. He was talking slowly and acting as if he'd been stabbed in the back. He probably was hurt but I do think he played the game a little. He knew that once he got the majority on his side, Rooney would have nowhere else to go but United.

Kagawa thrived at Dortmund as they play fast passing football. United do not do this and why I doubt we'd see the form he showed at Dortmund.

Hope I'm wrong but Kagawa, as of yet, doesn't look a great fit for United. He's immensely talented though so hopefully he'll adapt.

Red Cog

I agree regarding Mata. I was generalising. I think he is more direct than Silva and more of a goal threat.

comment by Wayne and Robin (U16938)
posted 2 minutes ago
Then GTFO
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KMA.

A fit kagawa and RVP for me is the dream front combo

with nani carrick ando and young in MF

Mata gets more in the box than Silva does IMO, but I don't think you can describe Mata as a SS.

darren I agree re kagawa and pace etc, hence the team I put forward above

pace and power

comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 4 minutes ago
I think that SAF played the whole think perfectly. He let the press know about the dispute and relied on the reaction of others to talk Rooney into staying and showing him how silly he was being.

............

Further more, SAF didn't cave in. In an interview on SSN, he said he wanted the matter resolved quickly either way.

36 hours later Rooney signed the same contract that was in front of him previuosly.

Not sure how that was caving in, or what he caved in to.
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I agree entirely.

comment by Mr Chelsea ✪ . (U3579)
posted 2 minutes ago
I remember that Rooney contract saga quite well. SAF played the victim perfectly. He got nearly everyone on his side. Fans, media, other managers. Fergie's MUTV interview was a classic. It was that of someone who'd been hurt. He was talking slowly and acting as if he'd been stabbed in the back. He probably was hurt but I do think he played the game a little. He knew that once he got the majority on his side, Rooney would have nowhere else to go but United.
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Indeed. He relied on everyone else to show Rooney how silly he was being. Worked perfectly.

Red Reason, Rooney is not the heartbeat of United - no matter what many claim.

Mr. Chelsea - i agree indeed. SAF played that Rooney saga excelently.

Pace isn't the issue, Dortmund play at a higher pace than we do, it's the way we play which he isn't suited to.

We won't get the best out of him with the slow build up which is reliant on the wings.

comment by The_Red_Cognoscente (U9741)
posted 1 second ago
Red Reason, Rooney is not the heartbeat of United - no matter what many claim.
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I think that is influence has been less obvious this season, but for the prior 5 to this, he has for me been the heartbeat of the team. That isn't to negate the role that Scholes has also played during that time, but Rooney has taken quite a bit of that responsibility from Scholes.

Regarding Rooney. The cynic in me, and I've thought this for a while, tells me that Sir Alex would love to give him the boot when the time comes. We all love the bloke but he is very bitter and doesn't like to look like a mug in public - I don't think he did, he handled it well, but he probably felt like one.

Whether it's Keane, Ruud or Beckham, if he's sick of you or deems you replaceable then you're out. Obviously, Rooney has still been in magnificent goalscoring form and that opportunity has not yet come about. But when Rooney 'loses it', I think he'll be out the door quicker than other squad members who have lost it.

I wish a brain would remind this hearbeat how to control and pass the ball.

VC Kagawa himself said upon signing SAF gave him reassurances that he would be played in his favoured position behind the striker.

.............

Hopefullly you can provide a link for this, because I can not find one.

And given SAF's tendancies top play players out of their position I find it very bizarre SAF would make such a promise.

Rooney's entering his 3rd contract year, I'm guessing the club would be considering giving him a new contract later on this year but if not then maybe I can see him being sold.

comment by Kagawa_26 - Cleverson! (U15671)
posted 50 seconds ago
Regarding Rooney. The cynic in me, and I've thought this for a while, tells me that Sir Alex would love to give him the boot when the time comes. We all love the bloke but he is very bitter and doesn't like to look like a mug in public - I don't think he did, he handled it well, but he probably felt like one.

Whether it's Keane, Ruud or Beckham, if he's sick of you or deems you replaceable then you're out. Obviously, Rooney has still been in magnificent goalscoring form and that opportunity has not yet come about. But when Rooney 'loses it', I think he'll be out the door quicker than other squad members who have lost it.
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Yeh, when you consider all the factors together, SAF getting rid of Rooney isn't that much of a stretch.

If Rooney went to Chelsea I think they would have to be the favourites for next seasons title.

So take from that what you will. Rooney for all his limitations is a title winning machine.

I have no idea why that comment had such a gap

comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 4 seconds ago
VC Kagawa himself said upon signing SAF gave him reassurances that he would be played in his favoured position behind the striker.

.............

Hopefullly you can provide a link for this, because I can not find one.

And given SAF's tendancies top play players out of their position I find it very bizarre SAF would make such a promise.
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I do recall Kagawa stating that his decision to join United was at least partly based on the role he wanted to play and assurances he'd received/how SAF wnated to use him. Not sure whether it specified the particular role though.

VC Kagawa himself said upon signing SAF gave him reassurances that he would be played in his favoured position behind the striker.

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SAF actually said he (Kagawa) would be played further up the pitch than Powell, who he is "moulding" into a CM.

His words;

“He’ll play further forward [than Powell]. We shouldn’t be looking at one player changing the way we play but he could make a difference. He can give us that extra in the final third of the field. If his goalscoring record continues he could be a very good player for us. Shinji’s coming to South Africa with us and then to China so I think you’ll be seeing him pretty soon, Once he’s adapted and gets to know some football phrases our players will use, he’ll be used to that. He can start the first league game quite easily. I’ve got no problem with that. I think in Nick’s case, he’s got a bit of physical development to do, just as we would expect of an 18 year-old. But he’ll be in the first-team squad and train with us every day.”

I seem to recall Kagawa saying that he wanted to play in the hole at United, but that he had to earn that right. Or words to that effect.

Well to be that indicates Kagawa will play further up.

Point is Kagawa from what I recall played behind the striker at Dortmund and his frame would suggest he wont be as good in the CM role.

The form Rooney has been on there is no harm in trying Kagawa as a number 10.