Comments? Being a Red Devils fan, I love it. Clearly, Man U's biggest weaknesses last year was central defense, Barthez, and Veron. Now that Rio is at Old Trafford, that leaves only Barthez and Veron as scapegoats. Rio really really impressed me during the WC. I didn't get to see Nesta or Cannavaro play for Italy before they got hurt, but Rio was probably the best defender I had seen in the tourney. I think the odds are 120% that Man U wins a trophy of some sort next year. This is the 2nd time that Rio has set an English record for highest transfer fee.
Well...I don't get to follow the EPL during the season... but here are my thoughts: Yankees = Man U. Rio is great, he'll help for another premiership title...blah...they'll lose in the champs league to Real Madrid (who hopefully will get Rivaldo)....
There's no way Rivaldo signs with Real. Of course, there was no way Figo would either. Real's problem is that they have a really weak defense. If they don't dominate possesion with Zidane and Figo, they are screwed.
I'm an Arsenal fan, so Leeds giving Rio up to ManU really hurts. Cygan does not seem to equal Rio ...
Great move for Man. United and since i have been a huge fan all my life I am thrilled to see that their main weakness has been solved. Veron has the goods to be great but he just hasn't come into his own on the team. I think it's all about a difference in mentality. In United all players must be willing to work very hard and have an uncomparable winning mentality. Even Rio Ferdinand said that the tough mentality of the players was the main reason he wanted to come to United. Rio Ferdinand is only 23 years old!!! United needs one more striker and another goalie then they can't be beaten by any team in the world in my opinion. Not even Real Madrid even though it should be an interesting match-up.
Man U was going hard after Turkish goalie, Rustu, who I saw in person in the 3rd place WC game, and was amazed. However, Rustu said he wanted to be loyal and finish out his contract with Turkish side, Fenerbache. Replacing Barthez with Rustu, would have been a major coup. Barthez is so damn inconsistent. He'll make a great save, and then give up a soft goal. I heard some small rumors of Crespo going to Man U. Lazio is looking to go on a fire sale, as they are way in debt. Man U needs to get rid of Yorke first, and then use some of that money for a guy like Crespo. However, I doubt they get Crespo, with the economic state of soccer the way it is.
Doesn't matter, Bayern will win the Champions League this year, there cannot even be the slightest doubt about it. Same core as last year, except that we added Ballack, Ze Roberto and Deisler instead of Effenberg. Ballack and Ze Roberto almost single-handedly got Leverkusen into the Champions League final last year. There is no weakness on that Bayern team and every single one out of the first 22 can take a Rio Ferdinand or Veron or whatever their names are any day.
Yes, they are a part of the same evil horde. I think they have a marketing agreement with each other. I don't understand Leed's logic in selling their captain to their biggest competitor and keeping the cancer in Lee Bowyer.
United do indeed have a partnership with the Yankees. I've followed them as close as I possibly can from here in the States for quite a bit. I'm happy that they have improved, yet sad. It's all getting out of control. The top 5 or so in the Premier League have so much, another 10 or so are financially sound, but the other 80 some-odd teams throughout the football league seem to really be struggling. Bradford City are on the ropes right now, and Chelsea are basically forced to sell a star for cash... not good. I don't like what's going on over there
Leeds is more than $100 million buckaronies in debt. Ferdinand is the asset they can get the most for on the open market. They paid 18 million pounds for him a year and a half ago, and just made about 10 million pounds on the deal. Pretty good return on their investment. They also have a ready made replacement in Jonathan Woodgate. Makes total sense from Leeds point of view. Bowyer they also tried to unload but the Kop backed out.
