Theatre Of Dreams #27 - Life After Beck...

[Rupert G]

Salam.

Sambung sini Red-Devils!!!

[kaZam]

kenapa ler si Best nie x arwah siang² laie.. x abih² ngan kata² subversif dia nie ek.. dia nie dulu PKM ker ar??..
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BECKHAM 'PIGGY IN THE MIDDLE' - BEST

Manchester United legend George Best has criticised the club over their treatment of England captain David Beckham.

Best believes United have failed to show their superstar midfielder the respect he deserves after accepting a bid from incoming Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

Best, who during his 1960s heyday enjoyed a celebrity status similar to Beckham, said: ``Beckham seems to be piggy in the middle and it is not fair to someone who has given so much loyalty to one club when loyalty is rare these days.

"He has certainly been loyal to Manchester United and I think he has been treated abysmally.''

United would expect a fee of around £30million for Beckham but Best feels the player, who has two years left on his Old Trafford contract, could decide to stay at the club.

He added: "He can be the boss. He still has quite a bit of time to go on his contract, so can sit it out if he wants to.

"If I was him, I would dig my heels in and go back. Whether they play him or not is simply another decision the club has to make. <-- hih..kalu betul dia nie hebat sgt, apasal man utd jual dia dulu ar??.. sama masalah cam beckham??

"I have a slight feeling he will still be there at the start of next season. From Manchester United's, and David's, point of view I hope so.'' <-- hahaha.. totally wrong MR BEST.. did u read the news today??.. :p

[Rupert G]

Salam.

A little break from Beck...:D


Campaign bus stops at Old Trafford

2003 has been designated the European Year of Disabled People, and Old Trafford was chosen as a stopping station as the Campaign bus arrived in Manchester today.

The bus is touring all EU countries throughout 2003 and is in England during June.

Having visited Southampton, London, Bristol and Birmingham amongst many other destinations in the UK, and with a staggering 25,400 miles already on the clock having visited countries including France, Germany, Spain and Portugal, the campaign bus will spend two days in Manchester.

The bus is a useful tool for raising awareness of Disability rights and also brings to the local community’s attention the facilities accessible to disabled people in the area. The Campaign bus’s visit to Old Trafford intends to maximise the use of United’s brand new Ability Suite.

Sir Alex Ferguson and representatives from Vodafone and the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association opened The Ability Suite in Old Trafford’s South Stand in April this year.

At the time of opening the suite, Sir Alex said: ”What a great opportunity for all disabled fans to get together and socialize, learn, communicate, all through their shared love of football and Manchester United. This will be well used and let’s hope it’s the first of many around the country.”

And the tour at Old Trafford today promotes further the uses of the state-of-the-art suite.

sumber: http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=37590

[Rupert G]

Salam.

Kazam: Aku agak dia dapat duit kot dengan komen-komennya yang "lately" negatif...

Fergie & Beck dan berdamai daaaa...:D

[kaZam]

ntahler Rupert.. dulu dia kutuk beckham pasal dia kata x layak jadik world footballer of the yer.. la nie beri semangat kat beckham supaya jadik rebellion.. aku x tau brapa banyak media England bagi dia duit..

pesanan aku buat MR BEST.. minum ler Carlsberg slalu sebagai tanda sokongan anda kpd Man Utd.. :p

[Rupert G]

Salam.

Lol...aku mati-mati ingat dia togok Bud...:D

[Rupert G]

Salam.

Saja-saja...

VOTE RESULTS
Will David Beckham be a hit at Real Madrid?

Yes
59.58%


No
40.42%


14121 Votes Cast

[kaZam]

uiks.. jgn ler cakap kuat²..nanti kantui lak..

[Rupert G]

BREAKDOWN OF TRANSFER FEE

£5.25m on completion of Beckham's transfer
£12.25m in instalments over next four years
£7m based on Real Madrid's performance in Champions League

Komen: Eheh...cam HP ansuran bulanan nak beli keta plaks...:D

[kaZam]

MANCHESTER UNITED have completed their £1.5million swoop for US keeper Tim Howard - and were assured he is a star in the making.

Howard, 24, has been linked with Old Trafford for the past six months but the deal was sorted yesterday after hush-hush talks.

The NY-NJ MetroStars stopper, who has a Hungarian passport, will play against Turkey in the Confederations Cup in France tonight.

He will be officially unveiled at Old Trafford next month and USA boss Bruce Arena is certain he will be a success. Arena said: "Tim is an outstanding athlete, a great shot-stopper and is very quick coming off his line. He's got the full package."

[Rupert G]

Salam.

1) Tim Howard - Done
2) David Bellion - Almost done - depends on tribunal which will decide his transfer fee (dengar-dengar dalam 1 juta pound sterling)
3) Ronaldinho?
4) Kewell?


Dan, siapa defender baru...? :)

[Rupert G]

My tears for United



DAVID BECKHAM was in floods of tears when he realised his Manchester United career was finally over.

The England skipper sealed a £25million move to Spanish giants Real Madrid on Tuesday.

But the midfielder admits he was heartbroken after United put him up for auction - and revealed his emotional personality comes from mother Sandra.

Beckham, 28, said: "I get it from my mum. My dad's sort of a man's man but I've got more of my mum's personality. She's a lot softer, a lot more affectionate. We both get really emotional."

He even recalled how he shed tears over United after they watched him as an 11-year-old for Ridgeway Rovers.

Becks added: "My mum came up and said, 'It's good you've played well today because United were watching and they want you to have a trial'. I just stood there and cried."

The star was yesterday given an amazing welcome by Japanese fans - some wearing Real shirts - as he jetted in to Tokyo for his Far East tour.

The last two months have been a roller- coaster for Beckham.

He clinched a four-year deal with Madrid worth £120,000 a week but was close to cracking at the end of last season.

Becks was clearly upset after the final home game against Charlton and had to be comforted by best friend Gary Neville.

Beckham reveals his sensitive side in America's Sports Illustrated magazine, published yesterday.

He added: "I'll even watch films and cry."

In the interview, United manager Alex Ferguson claims Beckham changed once he married Posh Spice.

Fergie said: "After training, he'd always be practising, practising, practising. So there's a foundation there that never deserted him.

"And then...his life changed when he met his wife, really.

"She's in pop and David got another image. And he's developed this fashion thing.

"I saw his transition to a different person."

Beckham and wife Victoria are due to shoot commercials in Japan before heading to Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.

He became known in Japan as "Beckham-sama" - Sir Beckham - after last year's World Cup.

And his return left girls in tears as he wowed more than a 1,000 supporters at Tokyo's Narita airport.

Beckham will be unveiled by Real on July 2 but has had to agree to their policy on image rights.

That means handing over 50 per cent of all future earnings from his sponsorship deals.

Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano said: "It was the key to

the negotiations. We demand 50 per cent of players' image rights.

"In Beckham's case, it was complicated because his potential image is impressive but the player agreed.

"This agreement marked the player's wish to come to Real, even by losing money."

sumber: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2003280927,00.html

[Rupert G]

Becks can have my shirt



RONALDO will welcome David Beckham to Real Madrid - by offering him the shirt off his back.

Becks, 28, will link up with his big-name Bernabeu team-mates next month.

But one of the biggest questions surrounding his £25million switch from Manchester United is what number will he take?

So, last night, superstar striker Ronaldo went some way to solving the mystery.

The Brazilian has worn the No11 jersey since he arrived from Inter Milan last summer - just weeks after winning the World Cup and the Golden Boot.

But with Spanish striker Fernando Morientes out of favour and looking to leave Real, Ronaldo wants his No9 shirt - leaving Becks to take the No11.

Local hero Raul, still the undisputed darling of Real despite a string of celebrity signings, wears Beckham's favoured No7.

And Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano dismissed ideas that Becks could wear No77, insisting Spanish League rules prohibit any number above 25.

So Ronaldo said: "I would not mind giving Becks my No11 shirt if I can wear the No9 next season."

Ronaldo, 28, has heralded the England skipper's arrival as concrete proof that Real are the greatest team on the planet.

He added: "The signing of Beckham is a very important moment in the history of Real.

"Now I believe that this club really will be the very best in the whole world, without any doubt.

"If there is one piece of advice I can give Beckham when he joins it is this: Just enjoy playing football!"

He added: "Beckham's arrival will mean there is more competition for places but this is good for the club as it will keep every player hungry.

"But one thing is for sure, he will be very happy with us."

Beckham's signing has seen him anointed as the sixth member of Los Galacticos - joining Ronaldo, Raul, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Carlos among the Spanish club's out-of-this-world megastars.

But as fan interest reached fever pitch at Real's training ground yesterday, it was clear that even the club's lesser lights can have a stunning effect on the citizens of this sweltering, football-crazy city.

One schoolgirl burst into hysterics when keeper Iker Casillas gave her an autograph. She sobbed: "I like Beckham, too - but nobody will ever overtake Casillas!"

Through the crowd strolled the swarthy Valdano, who insisted the club's raid for Beckham had been made easy - by United boss Alex Ferguson driving the England star out of Old Trafford.

Argentine Valdano said: "It was not difficult at all. We didn't take him out of Manchester United - United opened the door for him to leave. All we had to do was to welcome him with open arms."

And the Bernabeu bigwig insisted Fergie is wrong to claim Beckham's showbiz lifestyle has taken his mind off the day job.

Valdano added: "David is a football animal. He's passionate and professional about football."

The former Real striker, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, reckons Becks was the best player in the world up for grabs - but insists he can get even BETTER at the Bernabeu.

He said: "In David Beckham we have bought a player to compare with Ronaldo, Zidane and Figo. He was the best player available.

"But we can make David a better player. Talent always grows when it is surrounded by other talent.

"Every year we sign a superstar, you can never have too many superstars. He will be important to us as a marketing tool and as a footballer.

"But we treat these superstars like human beings. Communication is also fundamental to him settling here. Learning Spanish is the only sacrifice we'll ask him to make."

Valdano insists Real were never worried about Becks going to Barcelona - even when Joan Laporta agreed a £30m fee with United during the Nou Camp club's recent presidential campaign.

As late as Tuesday, Bernabeu president Florentino Perez is said to have phoned Laporta saying Real had no interest in Beckham.

Perez had made a laughable multiple denial about Beckham back in April, as the world's biggest club added to their reputation for whopping great fibs.

There are doubts that the Real supremo will change his ways and declare: "Never say 'never, never, never, never, never, never' again.

sumber: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2003280950,00.html

[Rupert G]

I've lost my mate



RIO FERDINAND last night started facing up to life without David Beckham and admitted: "I've lost my big pal."

Manchester United defender Ferdinand is stunned at Becks' departure to Real Madrid in a £25million transfer.

The England star turned to his national skipper last summer when he was embroiled in his own megabucks switch to Old Trafford from Leeds.

And Ferdinand insisted: "If someone had told me when I moved last year that David would be sold in 12 months I would have said 'no way'.

"Yet now he's gone. It just shows football is big business these days and you can never be sure of anything.

"David is a good friend and we got to know each other really well during the World Cup in Japan.

"He told me what a great club United was and that I could not make a better move.

"It was good to talk to someone like him about everything involved and he was a big help."

Ferdinand, 24, was sure Becks would stay at United.

The centre-back added: "Even when he was applauding the fans at the end of the season I did not think he'd be leaving. It did not seem possible.

"My friends asked me what was happening but I didn't have a clue.

"People think we're lying when we say that but, honestly, players are the last to know.

"A week ago, it hit me when United said they had accepted an offer from Barcelona for Becks.

"I spoke to David on the phone and, while it wouldn't be right to go into the details of our conversation, I think all footballers realise that once a club says it is prepared to sell you there is no going back.

"From that moment, you want to get things sorted out and get on your way. Whoever you are, a drawn-out transfer is a stressful experience and the longer it drags on the more it drives you nuts.

"I felt a huge relief when my move to United went through and, although David will be sad to leave us, I'm sure it's a huge weight off his mind that it is done and dusted."

Ferdinand knows the emotional wrench involved when it comes to a parting of the ways with the club you love. He spent seven years with West Ham before joining Leeds for £18m and still has a soft spot for the Hammers.

He recalled: "I found leaving West Ham really difficult, even though I knew it was for the good of my career.

"It could be even harder for David because he's been at United more than 10 years. It is the place where he grew up, where he made it as a pro.

"Yes, you are leaving good friends behind - people who you've come to rely on and trust - and it is not easy to let that go. But David is big enough and man enough to cope. I know the lads at United will wish him well and hope he is successful.

"He's a smashing bloke with a good heart and dedicated to his football.

"People talk about his showbiz lifestyle and I've seen it suggested that gets in the way but I never saw any evidence of that. I think he has handled everything brilliantly. He loves the game and trains as hard as anyone."

Ferdinand is sad to wave goodbye to his mate but accepts big transfers are part and parcel of life in top-flight football.

He added: "People's careers change track for many different reasons and great players move around all the time. But the clubs stay where they are.

"Manchester United will go on without David. There are not many clubs who would have the confidence to sell him - but the manager's judgment is tried and tested.

"I can remember the criticism he got for selling stars like Paul Ince, Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce but the results proved he knew what he was doing. His record speaks for itself.

"And nobody will convince me that Becks and the gaffer have fallen out. I just cannot believe that. Their statements prove the mutual respect they have for one another. I saw the famous flying boot but I've no doubt that was an accident.

"The manager treats every player the same. Of course there are arguments but players have those all the time, whether they are in the Premiership or kicking around on Sunday morning.

"David is one of the most popular players I've ever come across with fans, team-mates or backroom staff.

"He's joining a club with some unbelievably talented players but he'll handle it and I'm sure he'll do well.

"I reckon he'll play in central midfield and I think he will enjoy that because he has always fancied a long run in that position and never got it.

"He will certainly not be daunted by the transfer, he'll fit right in.

"Good luck to him. I hope he wins everything he can for them - apart from the Champions League, of course.

"I'm rather hoping WE win that."

sumber: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2003280933,00.html

[Rupert G]

Reds do for Kewell



MANCHESTER UNITED'S ruthless handling of David Beckham's move to Real Madrid has blown any chance Alex Ferguson had of landing Harry Kewell.

Leeds ace Kewell, 24, and his advisors are less than impressed by the way England's captain was shunted out of Old Trafford and into the Bernabeu on a four-year deal worth £120,000 a week.

Becks, 28, at one stage accused United of treating him 'like a piece of meat' as they hawked him around Europe's top clubs while he and wife Victoria were away in America.

United manager Ferguson had earmarked Kewell as a prime target after pocketing the Beckham cash.

But the saga has put the Aussie off making a £7million switch from Elland Road.

Kewell's United snub leaves Arsenal as favourites to snap him up.

His agent had talks with Highbury vice-chairman David Dein last night. The FA Cup-holders have offered cash-strapped Leeds £4m plus impressive England Under-21 striker Jermaine Pennant.

But Barcelona will be serious rivals for Kewell's signature.

The Catalan giants are smarting after losing out to rivals Real for Beckham.

And newly-elected president Joan Laporta needs to save face by bringing new stars to the Nou Camp.

sumber: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2003280806,00.html

[kaZam]

aku rasa man utd x akan beli ronaldinho.. reason no 1 aku: dia x tetap pendirian.. laie satu, dia ingat dia cam best jer.. :p
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MARRIAGE CHANGED BECKHAM - FERGIE

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed how he felt David Beckham became a `different person' after his marriage.

Ferguson guided England captain Beckham through the ranks at Old Trafford but the pair's relationship broke down, culminating in the player's £25million move to Real Madrid this week.

In an interview in the Sports Illustrated magazine, published in New York yesterday, Ferguson speaks of how he saw Beckham's life change after meeting his future wife, pop singer Victoria.

Ferguson said: "He was blessed with great stamina, the best of all the players I've had here.

After training, he'd always be practising, practising, practising. But his life changed when he met his wife. She's in pop and David got another image. He's developed this `fashion thing'.

"I saw his transition to a different person.''

[Rupert G]

United may miss out on Ronaldinho

David Beckham's sale to Real Madrid could cost Manchester United the signature of Brazil's Ronaldinho after Barcelona yesterday stepped up their efforts to sign the World Cup-winning forward.

Beckham was the first-choice summer signing of Barcelona's new president, Joan Laporta, who centred his election campaign on his intention to buy the England captain. But now Real Madrid have beaten Barça to Beckham, Laporta is apparently confident he can persuade Ronaldinho to move to the Nou Camp instead of Old Trafford.

"It is no secret that Ronaldinho is one of the players we are looking at," Juan Jose Castillo, Barcelona's press secretary, said yesterday. "He has always been on our list as have other top players. A deal is very close with Ronaldinho."

That claim needs to be taken with a pinch a salt, especially as Barcelona failed to sign Beckham even after agreeing a deal with United. But the Catalonians' interest is at the very least likely to increase Ronaldinho's price. The player had been valued at £10m but interest from Barcelona _ or even Real _ could see his fee rise towards £15m.

A spokesman for United said: "We are now looking forward to strengthening the squad and getting players who will fit into our plans. You can't put a time scale on these things. Some deals take longer than others."

One deal that appears to be close to a conclusion is the signing of the Cameroon international midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba from United's partner club, Nantes, for £2.5m. Alex Ferguson considers the 22-year-old, who has a reputation as an energetic hard man, as a potential long-term replacement for Roy Keane. The transfer fee has already been discussed and the player has spoken to Old Trafford officials. It is expected that the move will be finalised after Djemba-Djemba returns from the Confederations Cup.

Djemba-Djemba has a fierce reputation in France, having picked up one red card and 11 yellows last season. But he has been a competitive first-team regular for two years and also has Champions' League experience. He played once against United in the group stages in February 2002. United won 5-1 but Ferguson was impressed with his potential nonetheless.

Beckham's move to Madrid, which is providing the finance for the Djemba-Djemba deal and probably three or four others, continued to have other repercussions in Milan, Madrid and Manchester yesterday. Internazionale revealed that they hope to lure Luis Figo from Spain to San Siro if the Portuguese international is deemed surplus to requirements at Real. Inter had been linked with a move for Beckham but Massimo Moretti, the club's general director, said: "Figo is older than Beckham, but he is among the players that we are looking at."

In Madrid, two key questions about Beckham's imminent arrival at Real were addressed. What number will he wear on his shirt? (This is apparently of vital importance to millions of people in the Far East, who do not want to spend £60 on a replica shirt and then have to queue up to get it changed. If estimates are to be believed, that queue could be up to 40 million people long). And who will take Real's free-kicks from now on, Beckham or Roberto Carlos?

The answer to the first seems to be No 11, the shirt currently worn by Ronaldo, who looks likely to take the No 9 occupied by Fernando Morientes, who is apparently on his way out of the club. "Beckham will follow the norms at Real Madrid and wear a free number between one and 25," Jorge Valdano, Real's sporting director, said. "All the players who have come here in recent years have done the same, choosing one of the numbers that has become free."

The answer to the second seems to be both. "I'll let him take some of them _ but only some," Roberto Carlos said yesterday. "He's scored some beautiful goals from free-kicks but he doesn't have to take all of them."

Beckham's departure continued to provoke debate in Manchester, with the Shareholders United fans' group fearing his exit could see an exodus of other home-grown players. "Beckham was the jewel in the crown. Who is to say his transfer won't make the others feel more vulnerable," their spokesman, Oliver Houston, said. He added that United had sold Beckham too cheaply and would be costly to replace.

Real's captain, Fernando Hierro, had more pressing matters on his mind, like the La Liga title race, than what Beckham might do for the club next season. With his side's decisive match against Atheltic Bilbao coming up this weekend. Hierro said: "We don't have much to say about the reinforcements brought in by the club. We understand he's a great player and we wish him the best but he's not going to help us win the league [this weekend]. Next season we'll welcome him like any other player."

sumber: http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/man_united/story.jsp?story=416843

[Rupert G]

Beckham angers Barca


Barcelona's new vice-president Sandro Rosell has launched a thinly-veiled attack on David Beckham's representatives for refusing to stage transfer talks with the Catalan giants.

Rosell revealed they had spent 10 days attempting to set up a meeting with Beckham's SFX agency after agreeing a £30m deal with Manchester United.

But Beckham snubbed Barcelona to complete a £25m move to fierce rivals Real Madrid.

Rosell admitted Barcelona were "surprised and disappointed" that they failed to get any response from Beckham's advisers to their requests for discussions.

He told the BBC Sport website: "You cannot oblige anybody to make a decision when they are not willing to join a club or come to a city.

"We are not particularly upset he has joined Real Madrid. Once someone says they don't want to join Barcelona we don't care where they go.

"The frustration for Barcelona is not having the opportunity to sit down with the player.

"At least then we could have explained our project, the club, the city and our culture, but we didn't have that opportunity.

"We were trying to reach these guys for ten days, six or seven when we were candidates and then when we were official part of the club for three days.

"We left many messages, but the representatives, for whatever reason, were not interested in talking to us."

Rosell added: "It is disappointing and surprising because it is not normal that businessmen like they are supposed to be are not willing to meet with a huge institution like Barcelona Football Club.

"They have taken a decision to go to Madrid without knowing what we would offer them. If I was them I would be defending the players interests.

"The excuse, or reason, they gave was that David would not come here because we are not playing Champions League football.

"This is very surprising because next season we will hopefully be in the Uefa Cup.

"Real will be in the Champions League, but what about the remaining three years of his contract?

"If Real Madrid are not playing in the Champions League will he want to resign?"

Barcelona are now turning their attention to other targets - but Rosell rejected speculation in Spain that Liverpool's Michael Owen could be on their hit-list.

He said: "Michael Owen will be complicated because he is represented by the same company as David Beckham. It looks like this company doesn't want to talk to Barcelona at all."

Rosell insists Barcelona have already erased Beckham from their thoughts, saying: "We don't care about which club he has joined. We will continue with our project, and we will do this with or without David Beckham."

sumber: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2999110.stm

[Rupert G]

Realists will recall Beckham as little better than ordinary

David Beckham leaves Manchester United with a designer bag full of medals and accolades to go with his unchallenged marketability, yet he may, if he has the time or inclination between commercial engagements, reflect that in purely football terms he was unfulfilled at Old Trafford.

His parting shot, an outrageously executed free-kick against Everton at Goodison Park, on 11 May, was, alas, not typical of his contribution through lengthy periods of his final season at the club.

During the run-in to the championship, when United had comprehensive and crucial wins against Liverpool and Newcastle, and drew at Arsenal, Beckham was absent from the starting line-up. He also had to watch much of the second leg of the Champions' League quarter-final, against Real Madrid, from the substitutes' bench.

Would one of the most significant players in United's history have been omitted at such a critical stage of the season? Surely not. The reality is that the Beckham phenomenon, to the gullible at least, has managed to obscure the distinction of style from substance, while at Old Trafford a sense of reality and perspective has prevailed.

In the pantheon of United gods, Beckham is a mere mortal. Perhaps only Eric Cantona, of modern times, commands a place alongside the "holy trinity'' of Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best. But players like Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Peter Schmeichel have been far more influential in the United cause.

Beckham's stature has become entangled in a web of myths. The wondrous free-kicks are the hallmark of greatness, but he can scarcely be considered a great player. At his best he is very good and in one match for England, against Greece, he was a man possessed. Mostly, to United he was little better than ordinary.

The fabled crosses, in truth, too infrequently found their intended target. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the ever-faithful servant, filled the right-hand position and delivered with equal and possibly more consistent effect.

Beckham is an excellent athlete yet no sprinter. He lacks the pace to go past a full-back and the jinking trick of a natural winger. Charlton, Law and Best were simply on a higher plane. Charlton had two explosive feet, an ability to glide away from defenders and an extraordinary range of passes. Law was pure theatre: dramatic bursts, dramatic gestures, dramatic goals. Best had everything: he was supreme.

Cantona, too, had far superior skills than Beckham and charisma to spare. The Frenchman provided the catalyst for Alex Ferguson's creation and to this day, six years after his retirement, the galleries still sing Cantona's praises.

It is unlikely Beckham's name will reverberate around those towering stands in months, let alone years, to come. However, the pity is that he perhaps never had the opportunity to give full expression to his talents. On the flank he can be isolated and neutralised. Permit him the liberty of the midfield and he has far more options and angles to exploit the capability of that right foot.

It should be recalled that Beckham had a central role during the first half of United's European Cup final against Bayern Munich in 1999 and for those 45 minutes was the outstanding player on view. He reverted to the right in Ferguson's second-half shuffle. On other, rare occasions, he has revelled in the freedom and responsibility of the playmaker's task. In a past age, he would have been the perfect inside forward.

Beckham has been a victim of his club's, and this country's, apparent inability to produce genuine wingers. He has his consolations, of course, but somehow it was not quite what it might have been.

sumber: http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/news/story.jsp?story=416841

[Rupert G]

Next stop Sven



ENGLAND fear Sven Goran Eriksson could jump ship and join David Beckham at Real Madrid next summer.

Although Eriksson is contracted to the FA until 2006, England insiders fear he will return to club management after the Euro 2004 finals.

And the Real job could well be vacant at that time.

Current coach Vicente Del Bosque is under pressure after failing to reach the European Cup final and Spanish sources believe he will be out if he falls short again next season.

Should Beckham prove a success in Madrid, his relationship with Eriksson could tip the balance in the Swede's favour when the coach's job becomes available.

An FA insider said: "There are not many here who think Sven will stay on through to the 2006 World Cup.

"People like Adam Crozier, the former chief executive, and his press man Paul Newman have gone and he had a close relationship with both of them.

"The chance to coach a club like Real would probably be too good for him to turn down."

The England management team believe their skipper's £25million transfer from Manchester United WILL boost the nation's Euro 2004 hopes.

Speaking from his holiday home in Fregene near Rome, Eriksson said: "I send my congratulations to David.

"I will be getting in touch with him as soon as possible."

And his No2 Tord Grip reckons Beckham may have to spend some time as a substitute - which will help England.

Grip said: "Real play so many matches I'm sure there will be enough for both Beckham and Luis Figo.

"But Beckham will be on the bench once in a while which is better for the national team because he gets a rest.

"It has all happened quite quickly but I think he also thought it was best for him."

England will have one problem about Beckham playing in La Liga.

Their matches are often played on Sunday nights meaning he will not be able to join up with the national set-up until Monday - a day later than the rest of the squad.

sumber: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2003280790,00.html

[Rupert G]

Champions face Bolton opener

Manchester United will seek to avoid an unwanted hat-trick as they open the defence of their Premiership title with a home fixture against Bolton.
The Trotters have won at Old Trafford for each of the past two seasons, inflicting United's sole home defeat last term.

Last season's runners-up Arsenal also start with some home comfort as they launch their bid to regain the title with a Highbury date against Everton.

Two of the three promoted sides also start in familiar surroundings.

Division One champions Portsmouth welcome Aston Villa to Fratton Park, giving Paul Merson an early chance to get reacquainted with some former team-mates.

Defeated FA Cup finalists Southampton are the visitors to Leicester's Walkers Stadium, while fellow newcomers Wolves travel to Blackburn.

There is an early heavyweight clash at Anfield, where Liverpool meet Chelsea, the side that beat them to a Champions League spot on the final day of last season.

England's other Champions League entrant, Newcastle, face a testing opening fixture away at Leeds.

Bobby Robson's side provide the champions with another early test at St James' Park in the second round of fixtures.

Manchester United and Arsenal, who have won the last eight Premiership titles between them, meet at Old Traffford on 22 September, with the return at Highbury on 27 March.

sumber:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3000128.stm

[Rupert G]

Keane confident of life after Becks

LONDON, (AFP) - Manchester United captain Roy Keane is confident the English champions can survive without David Beckham after the England captain agreed a four-year deal with Real Madrid. Keane believes manager Alex Ferguson, who has delivered eight Premiership trophies in 11 years, knows what he is doing.
"It's sad to see him leave but all I know is that our manager does what's best for Manchester United," Keane told Sky Sports.

"If he thinks selling Becks is the best for Manchester he is all right to do it.

"He has sold a lot of top players over the years - Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, players like Denis Irwin have left - but the club has to go on. That's what football is all about.

"During my time Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, Mark Hughes, Andrei Kanchelskis, Eric Cantona - all great players - but they move on to different challenges or they retire.

"I'm sure the same will happen to me one day. We'll miss him but as but as a player you maybe have to look at yourself. That's football. It's unfortunate when a player leaves a club but players come and go."

Ferguson is believed to have made his mind up after the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Real in April he needed to change his tactics and he no longer saw a role for Beckham.

Now he is planning to buy Brazil World Cup star Ronaldinho from French side Paris St Germain.

Also in the frame are Leeds United's Australian forward Harry Kewell and their goalkeeper Paul Robinson, as a replacement for French keeper Fabien Barthez.

French Under-21 international full-back Julien Escude, who plays for Rennes, and Sporting Lisbon's 19-year-old Ricardo Quaresma are other players who have been linked with United.

Ferguson tried to sign the four million pound (six million dollar)-rated Escude last August.

The five million pound-rated Quaresma is said to be the best thing to come out of Portugal since Luis Figo.

His chances of coming to Old Trafford were rated good because of United coach Carlos Quierozs links with Sporting.

Other targets are Joe Cole now that West Ham have been relegated.

Ferguson wanted to sign the eight million-pound-rated 21-year-old as a youngster but he preferred to stay at home in London.

Juventus' French international defender Lilian Thuram, Dutch striker Roy Makaay, the leading scorer in Spain with Deportivo La Coruna, and Sunderland's 20-year-old French forward David Bellion are other possibilities.


sumber: http://www.espnstar.com/jsp/cda/football/epl/aid=662604epl_newsdetail.html

[Rupert G]

Ferguson: Marriage changed Beckham

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes David Beckham became a "different person" when he met Victoria Adams.
Ferguson guided Beckham through the ranks at Old Trafford but their relationship has deteriorated in recent years, culminating in the England captain's £24.5m move to Real Madrid.

The Manchester United manager said he saw Beckham's life change after he met former Spice Girl Victoria Adams.

"He was blessed with great stamina, the best of all the players I've had here," Ferguson told Sports Illustrated magazine.

"After training, he'd always be practising, practising, practising. But his life changed when he met his wife.

"She's in pop and David got another image. He's developed this 'fashion thing'. I saw his transition to a different person."

Beckham is currently on a promotional tour of the Far East from where he has reiterated his delight at signing for Real Madrid.

"I'm very excited to become part of Real Madrid," Beckham told a news conference.

"It's a very exciting experience and it's going to be a very good challenge for me, on the football field and off it."

Beckham will face stiff competition for a place in the Spanish club's starting line-up, not least because Luis Figo currently occupies the right midfield berth.

But England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant believes it could help the international cause.

Tord Grip admitted that Beckham will spend some time on the bench at the Bernabeu, but said it would leave the 28-year-old fresher for his international duties.

"Real play so many matches I'm sure there will be enough for both Beckham and Luis Figo," Grip told The Sun.

"But Beckham will be on the bench once in a while which is better for the national team because he gets a rest.

"It has all happened quite quickly but I think he also thought it was best for him."

Eriksson himself has also given his seal of approval to Beckham's switch from Manchester United.

He added: "I send my congratulations to David. I will be getting in touch with him as soon as possible."

sumber: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3002874.stm

[Rupert G]

MUFC 2003/04 Fixtures

Sat Aug 16 2003 Bolton Wanderers (H) 15:00
Sat Aug 23 2003 Newcastle United (A) 15:00
Wed Aug 27 2003 Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) 15:00
Sat Aug 30 2003 Southampton (A) 15:00
Sat Sep 13 2003 Charlton Athletic (A) 15:00
Sat Sep 20 2003 Arsenal (H) 15:00
Sat Sep 27 2003 Leicester City (A) 15:00
Sat Oct 04 2003 Birmingham City (H) 15:00
Sat Oct 18 2003 Leeds United (A) 15:00
Sat Oct 25 2003 Fulham (H) 15:00
Sat Nov 01 2003 Portsmouth (H) 15:00
Sat Nov 08 2003 Liverpool (A) 15:00
Sat Nov 22 2003 Blackburn Rovers (H) 15:00
Sat Nov 29 2003 Chelsea (A) 15:00
Sat Dec 06 2003 Aston Villa (H) 15:00
Sat Dec 13 2003 Manchester City (H) 15:00
Sat Dec 20 2003 Tottenham Hotspur (A) 15:00
Fri Dec 26 2003 Everton (H) 15:00
Sun Dec 28 2003 Middlesbrough (A) 15:00
Wed Jan 07 2004 Bolton Wanderers (A) 15:00
Sat Jan 10 2004 Newcastle United (H) 15:00
Sat Jan 17 2004 Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) 15:00
Sat Jan 31 2004 Southampton (H) 15:00
Sat Feb 07 2004 Everton (A) 15:00
Wed Feb 11 2004 Middlesbrough (H) 15:00
Sat Feb 21 2004 Leeds United (H) 15:00
Sat Feb 28 2004 Fulham (A) 15:00
Sat Mar 13 2004 Manchester City (A) 15:00
Sat Mar 20 2004 Tottenham Hotspur (H) 15:00
Sat Mar 27 2004 Arsenal (A) 15:00
Sat Apr 03 2004 Charlton Athletic (H) 15:00
Sat Apr 10 2004 Birmingham City (A) 15:00
Mon Apr 12 2004 Leicester City (H) 15:00
Sat Apr 17 2004 Portsmouth (A) 15:00
Sat Apr 24 2004 Liverpool (H) 15:00
Sat May 01 2004 Blackburn Rovers (A) 15:00
Sat May 08 2004 Chelsea (H) 15:00
Sat May 15 2004 Aston Villa (A) 15:00

[Rupert G]

Salam.

Ni gambar KLue yang baru-baru ini pergi Old Trafford walaupun dia mengaku dia tak sokong MU...:D

[Rupert G]

Waster

ARSENE WENGER believes Alex Ferguson blundered in his sale of David Beckham.
Manchester United picked up £25million from Real Madrid for the England skipper.

But Arsenal boss Wenger said: "The personal problems between Beckham and Ferguson certainly lowered the fee."

The Frenchman reckons United, who originally put a £35m tag on Becks' head, missed out because clubs knew Fergie wanted rid of him.

Wenger also claimed Fergie's decision had broken a special bond between the players that grew up at Old Trafford - Becks, Scholes, Giggs, Butt and the Neville brothers.

Wenger said: "One of the things that made United great was the togetherness of that group.

"It is the beginning of a break-up for that group and, for me, that is a surprise. But United have the means to buy big."

Gunners midfield man Robert Pires predicted Becks' departure could backfire on Fergie.

He said: "Maybe United will be weaker now they have lost Beckham.

"But Arsenal will be stronger next year and we will be close to them."

sumber: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2003281346,00.html

[KLue]

oi... apa main tayang tayang di khalayak ramai ni!!!

[Rupert G]

Kiriman asal oleh KLue
oi... apa main tayang tayang di khalayak ramai ni!!!

Salam.

Alaaa...kita kat sini memang pamirkan aksi-aksi peminat MUFC ear...:D

[Rupert G]

Kenyon moves to ward off Beckham backlash from fans

Having sold its greatest icon, Manchester United yesterday began selling the deal to its supporters with its chief executive, Peter Kenyon, invoking the spectre of David Beckham walking away from Old Trafford for nothing under the Bosman ruling.

Kenyon needs to soothe the fan base; on Wednesday evening as the deal to sell Beckham to Real Madrid for £25m was announced, the club's website was besieged by emails which were mostly unsupportive, criticising United for selling their brightest star for too little and to their main European rivals.

Kenyon counter-attacked yesterday, saying: "Normally, when a player has two years left on his contract, we either renew his deal or accept it might be best if he move on elsewhere, allowing us to earn a fee for his sale. What does not make sense is for the club to let its top players leave at the end of their contract on a free transfer.

"In David's case, our approach in mid-May to his advisors about extending his current deal, which had just two years to run, did not meet with an immediate, positive response. Around the same time, we were approached by several clubs in Spain and Italy who were interested in buying David. It was at this point that it became clear a transfer deal involving David might be beneficial not only for the club but for the player."

Letting it be known that Beckham's advisors, SFX, were not interested in doing a deal with United in mid-May is designed to counter the claim that the England captain was touted around like a commodity by the club he had joined as a boy. Beckham is very keen to let it be known he did not want to leave Old Trafford; hence stories in last Sunday's News of the World, which has good relations with SFX, saying Beckham was "gutted" both at the prospect of leaving and at the way his transfer to Barcelona's presidential candidate, Joan Laporta, had been negotiated without his knowledge.

In fact, Jaume Llaurado, one of Laporta's rivals for the Barcelona's presidency, claimed Madrid and Beckham had agreed a pre-contract on 12 May, the day after the Premiership season finished. When Beckham arrived for his first press conference as a Real player, dressing appropriately in white, in Japan yesterday, he was asked whether his agents had instigated the move to Madrid. "That never went on," was his curt reply.

Mostly, however, he was effusive. Beckham said one aspect of his transfer that bothered him was the timing, coming a few days before Real Madrid's decisive encounter with Athletic Bilbao which will decide whether they retain the Spanish title.

"Things went on that I wouldn't be happy about. I think things could have been done differently," he said, adding: "I wouldn't have done it if it had affected my England career. I have spoken to Mr Eriksson about it and he just said to me: 'Whatever you do, it doesn't matter what club you are playing for. It doesn't affect you being England captain'."

Beckham, who has the number 7 tattooed on his forearm, said he would not dare to challenge Raul's right to wear the No 7 shirt in the Bernabeu. "I would never think about taking that off Raul because he is the king of Madrid."

Having had his advances for Beckham spurned, Laporta's mood can best be described as anxious and his deputy, Sandro Rosell, is now touring Europe attempting to bring in the kind of names that will satisfy the club's membership. Rosell talked to Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Roberto Assis, at the Confederations Cup in France and will also be attempting to woo Thierry Henry away from Arsenal.

David Dein, Arsenal's vice-chairman, who was yesterday conducting negotiations of his own with Harry Kewell's agent, will assume the answer is no. Arsenal have high hopes of capturing Kewell, although unlike Manchester United they would have trouble meeting Leeds' requirements of a cash-only offer. However, Kewell prefers a move to London where his wife's parents live, providing Arsenal can match the salary of £2.5m he was offered and rejected at Leeds. Arsenal have offered their England Under-21 striker Jermaine Pennant in part-exchange but Ray Parlour, whom the Leeds manager, Peter Reid, attempted to sign while at Sunderland could be more tempting.

sumber: http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/man_united/story.jsp?story=417208

[KLue]

ehhh tolong skit. Gua bukan fan la. Amik gambo sebab ada reporter BBC tu yang paksa. Dia nak tanya pasal asian punya feedback kalau becham dilelonG... dia paksa saya amik gambo walaupun saya dah cakap saya sokong Arsenal

[Rupert G]

Salam.

Like usual...another Fan yang dissapointed with Beck's departure...:D

[KLue]

Kiriman asal oleh Rupert G
Salam.

Like usual...another Fan yang dissapointed with Beck's departure...:D

i am no fan of Beck but i know u wanna be my FaN :R

[Rupert G]

Salam.

And...those countless photos u took at OT says it all...:p

[Rupert G]

Beckham spells big business for Manchester United Plc

LONDON, (AFP) - Selling David Beckham might provoke an outcry from fans but for Manchester United it's just business. Beckham is the club's best-known asset. He is used to sell everything from chocolate in Asia to mobile telephones in Europe and earns more than £10 million (US$17 million) a year from sponsorship deals.
That may be dwarfed by deals struck in US sport where LeBron James, an 18-year-old basketball sensation last month signed a US$90 million, seven-year deal with Nike.

Still less than the five-year, US$100 million contract American golfer Tiger Woods signed with Nike in September 2000.

Reports suggested Beckham would be earning six million euros a year in wages at Madrid. His endorsement deals come on top of that.

For Manchester United plc, the Beckham sale immediately paid off when the club's shares, listed on the London Stock Exchange, rose 3.45 percent to 150 pence in early trading.

United has a market capitalisation of £395 million and pre-tax profits for the six months to January 31 of £20.3 million.

As a home-bred player, Beckham's £24.5 million (35 million euro) sale was pure profit.

And Beckham's market value was depreciating because under the European law which regulates the movement of footballers between clubs, players can leave for nothing when their contracts expire. Beckham's contract was due to run out in two years.

United might sell fewer replica shirts now but they have a 13-year merchandising deal with Nike which guarantees more than £20 million a year. The club receives the money regardless of the number of shirts sold.

Manchester United sell out their Old Trafford stadium whenever they play and, with a long waiting list for season tickets, selling of Beckham will not affect gate receipts.

However it could have an effect on the size of television audiences for Manchester United matches screened outside Britain.

The club's media rights deals in Britain and overseas are currently agreed collectively, with revenues shared equally with the club's English rivals.

United expect to take take control of their overseas media rights in the next two years - by which time Beckham will have been been replaced by another star, such as Brazil's World Cup winner Ronaldinho whom manager Alex Ferguson is trying to buy from French side Paris St Germain.

Real Madrid have more to gain from international rights. They are negotiating how their media rights would be sold overseas and if they agree to sell rights individually then Beckham's arrival will boost revenue.

"When Real Madrid bought Zinedine Zidane they agreed to pay him £5.4 million a year in return for the right to exploit his image," said Tim Crow, director of consulting at Karen Earl Sponsorship, which advises Wilkinson Sword, one of Manchester United's biggest sponsors.

"A year after buying him they'd sold an additional 480,000 shirts with his name on, worth something like £14 million," Crow told the Financial Times.

In Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane, Real not only have the world's finest footballers but a marketing trio that all but sews up the European and South American markets.

The Spanish club will be hoping that Beckham will play an important role in opening up the Asian market.

His phenomenal popularity in Japan and South Korea was demonstrated at last year's World Cup. Real will be hoping Asian fans will follow Beckham to Madrid. Their first opportunity to test this will come with a tour of China in August.

One detail to be worked out is what number Beckham will have on his shirt.

One of his merchandising partners is British clothes retailers Marks and Spencer who brand his shirts as 07DB.

But Beckham is unlikely to wear the number seven at Real where it is the property of Spanish star Raul. He is expected to take over the number 11 shirt from Ronaldo, who is finally being allowed his first-choice number nine with the departure of Fernando Morientes to Roma.

Beckham's market value might be demonstrated but how well he actually does on the playing field is another matter.

Several of their recent big signings, including the Brazilian striker Ronaldo and the French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, initially struggled to make an impact at the club.

Former Arsenal star Nicolas Anelka (right) stayed just one season at Real but could not handle the pressure.

United manager Ferguson, convinced by a Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in April that he needed to rebuild his team, can now use the 35 million euros Real agreed to pay to fund future investments.





MANCHESTER UNITED SHARES SOAR ON BECKHAM TRANSFER NEWS


Shares in Manchester United rose swiftly Wednesday (18 June) after the club confirmed it had agreed the sale of England captain David Beckham to Real Madrid for £24.5 million pounds (35 million euros, US$40 million).

The club's shares, listed on the London Stock Exchange, rose 3.45 percent to 150 pence in early trading.

The deal, which sees Beckham join the Spanish club on a four-year contract, was formally announced by Manchester United in a statement to the stock exchange.

In business terms, the transfer sees the English Premiership champions cash in on an asset which was in danger of depreciating rapidly.

At 28, Beckham has probably no more than five years of top-level playing left.

Additionally, his contract with Manchester United was due to expire in two years, after which he could have left as a free agent, without a transfer fee being paid.

However in selling the midfielder, Manchester United have lost a key element of their highly lucrative merchandising empire.

Beckham's good looks and glamorous lifestyle have helped the side cement its position as the favourite team of millions around the globe, with sales of replica kits and other merchandise particularly strong in the rapidly-growing Asian market





NO PLANS TO RE-BRAND BECKHAM RANGE, SAYS MARKS AND SPENCER


Marks and Spencer has no plans to re-brand its David Beckham-endorsed "DB07" children's clothing range, although the player is set to lose his treasured number seven shirt at Real Madrid, the British retail chain said.

Beckham has long worn number seven for both Manchester United and England, but the shirt is already taken at Real Madrid, to whom he is being transferred in a deal worth £24.5 million (35 million euros, US$40 million).

Spanish international striker Raul (right) already wears seven at Real -- and even has a clause written into his contract guaranteeing that squad number.

Thus while Beckham will still sport his old shirt for England, at Real he might have to make do with number 11, expected to be vacated this summer by Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who is taking on number nine.

However Marks and Spencer said they would stick with the name of its successful line.

"Absolutely no way, no," a spokeswoman said when asked whether a change of number might be required.

"It's now a well established and popular brand so people know the brand for what it is," she insisted.

"A lot of the merchandise is also labelled Beckham rather than DBO7 so I really don't think it will cause a problem at all, especially with the England connection."

Beckham is currently in the second year of a three-year deal with Marks that reportedly pays him around £1 million a year.

"It was hugely beneficial to us where he was, I don't think it will make any difference that he is moving to Madrid," the spokeswoman said.

"He's such an international icon, quite frankly wherever he plays he adds to the success of the brand."

sumber: http://www.espnstar.com/jsp/cda/studio/aid=662789&ecode='COL3_FLP'studio_latestcoldetail.html

[Rupert G]

Fergie is laughing

A RAVENOUS squadron of vultures will be circling over Old Trafford as early as August 16 as the Premiership fixture computer came up with a belter yesterday.
Manchester United at home to bogey side Bolton on the opening day of the season.

As Trotters' boss Sam Allardyce said: "The lads will be relishing the start of the season even more now and confident of upsetting the odds at Old Trafford for a third successive year."

The champions then travel to St James' Park where Newcastle will be scenting blood themselves following the 6-2 thrashing by United at the tail-end of last season.

Yet Alex Ferguson won't be losing a minute's sleep. And he will be even more relaxed after studying some of Arsenal's early opposition, United included.

The pressure may be mounting on the United boss following the sale of David Beckham but Ferguson has been down this road too many times to take it in anything but a leisurely stride.

While some United fans have been working themselves into a frenzy and predicting Armageddon, the saner element who actually attend matches at Old Trafford are able to call on the experience of 1995-96.

The previous season, United finished second behind Blackburn and Ferguson jettisoned Mark Hughes, Andrei Kanchelskis and Paul Ince.

The general reaction was Ferguson had taken leave of his senses.

When United started the following season with a 3-1 defeat at Villa Park and little-known names like Beckham, Scholes, Butt and Phil Neville in the side, the critics took this as confirmation the United boss had suffered a fatal, blown fuse. As Alan Hansen chortled: "You win nothing with kids."

Ferguson's rebuilt side responded with eight victories and two draws from their next 10 games and the championship pennant was back at Old Trafford the following May.

So when Bolton and Newcastle were the first names out of the hat yesterday, a wry smile would have crossed Ferguson's lips. What greater opportunity could there be to silence the chimes of the bell being tolled on his long managerial career?

Ferguson himself could not have picked a better opening 11 games. Of these, six are at home to Bolton, Wolves, Arsenal, Birmingham, Fulham and Portsmouth.

Arsene Wenger's side may be among them but Ferguson would far prefer to have his great rivals at home early in the the season than at Highbury.

As for the Gunners, they have a gentle warm-up against Wayne Rooney's Everton (h), Boro (a), Villa (h), Man City (a) and Portsmouth (a) where they could quite conceivably gain a maximum 15 points.

Then comes a trip to Old Trafford on September 20 that ushers in a four-game maelstrom incorporating Newcastle (h), Liverpool (h) and Chelsea (a).

Two matches later, they entertain Leeds - the side that ended their title hopes with two games to go last season - followed by a trip to White Hart Lane (where Spurs will produce one of their few efforts of the season).

The opening-day fixture list tries to get us off to a champagne start - and unlike last season when it was as dull as ditch water it has not disappointed.

Third-placed Newcastle launch their campaign with a trip to Leeds that will mark the Elland Road returns of Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate.

If fireworks are expected there - with most aimed at Bowyer - there will also be a few bangers let loose at Anfield where Liverpool take on Chelsea.

This match comes hard on the heels of the one that decided the fourth Champions League place on the final day of last season.

That was also the game where Steven Gerrard was sent off for a tackle on Graeme Le Saux that was so over the top it almost landed on the 18th floor of the Chelsea Village hotel.

New boys Portsmouth, Leicester and Wolves will not have many complaints about their opening matches. Things, though, start to look ominous for Pompey with matches 5, 9, 10 and 11 against Arsenal (a), Liverpool (h), Newcastle (a) and Manchester United (a).

Similarly, Leeds need to pick up early points at home to Southampton, Birmingham and Blackburn before running into a big-game pile-up of Manchester United (h), Liverpool (a) and Arsenal (h).

The same goes for Birmingham. They open at home to Spurs and away at Southampton before a 12-match run taking in Chelsea (h), Newcastle (a), Manchester United (a), Arsenal (h) and Liverpool (a).

In that same spell, between August 26 and November 29, Blues also have to contend with local derbies against Villa (h) and Wolves (a).

As for Spurs, anything could happen against Birmingham, Leeds (h), Liverpool (a), Fulham (h) and Chelsea (a). If they start this season as they finished the last, they will be bottom of the table with Glenn Hoddle out of job.

Yet of all the managers none faces a stiffer challenge than new Villa boss David O'Leary. The opener is at cramped Fratton Park where the locals will be in overdrive for their first game in the Premiership.

Then comes the visit of Liverpool and a trip to Highbury. A breathing space of sorts arrives with Leicester (h), Manchester City (a) and Charlton (h) before a five-game spell including games at Chelsea, Birmingham and Newcastle.

Well, the boy O'Leary could not wait to get back to the big time.

So this is where we are heading in just nine Saturdays from now.

A week earlier, United and Arsenal will have played the curtain-raiser in the Community Shield. Defeat for United and Ferguson will be off his trolley, the title all but conceded and the end nigh.

Seeing United have lost six of the eight Charity Shields they have contested since first winning the Premiership, Ferguson will take that as a wonderful omen.

sumber: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2003281371,00.html

[Rupert G]

United "targets" go head to head

Thursday's Confederations Cup match at the Stade de France will have been of great interest to United scouts, if recent transfer speculation is to be believed.

Not only was Ronaldinho on duty for Brazil, but the goal that clinched a shock 1-0 win for Cameroon was scored by Samuel Eto'o, another of the 51 players that have been linked with the Reds this summer.

Speaking before the game, Eto'o's representative Willie McKay said: "I hope the penny drops tonight for one of the big clubs in England.

"Samuel's got three years left on his contract but he's desperate to come to the Premier League. I've put him forward to Manchester United and they've watched him recently.

"He's scored 15 goals this year but the problem is that Mallorca want £10million for him."

Eto'o was previously on the books of David Beckham's new club Real Madrid, who will receive 50 per cent of any transfer fee in a sell-on cause - provided a deal is done this summer when the clause expires.

Meanwhile, Ronaldinho's next move looks to be on hold until at least the end of this month. His brother and agent Assis wants Ron to concentrate on the Confederations Cup, in which Brazil are now bottom of Group B after one game. Joint favourites and hosts France are top of Group A after their 1-0 win over Colombia, a match which neither Fabien Barthez nor Mikael Silvestre played in.

"Manchester, Barcelona and Paris are still interested in Ronaldinho, but there will be nothing before June 29," said Assis.

"Either he will leave or he will stay at Paris but we will say nothing earlier than that because we want to protect Ronaldinho."

Assis admitted before the Brazil v Cameroon game that he was to have talks with Barcelona vice-president Sandro Rosell, adding: "I will meet the people I have to meet."

sumber: http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=37809

[Rupert G]

It was Yes in April


DAVID BECKHAM told Roberto Carlos TWO MONTHS ago he would be joining Real Madrid.

The Brazil star asked Becks if he was on his way as they left the pitch after Real's European Cup quarter-final clash at Manchester United on April 23.

Carlos revealed: "After the match at Old Trafford I asked David Beckham if he was joining Real Madrid and he indicated he would be."

This blows the lid off the Becks transfer saga after all parties publicly insisted the deal has only been discussed in the past 10 days.

And it confirms Real's interest, despite denials by club president Florentino Perez on May 2. Perez said 'Never, never, never' when asked about Becks.

But SunSport told you the true story.

Beckham's agent Tony Stephens flew to Madrid to meet Real officials over June 2-3.

A week later, United accepted a £24m offer from Joan Laporta, who went on to be elected Barcelona president.

But that only succeeded in pushing up the price and Real bid £25m last Friday at a meeting in Sardinia.

United chief executive Peter Kenyon said: "We were approached by several clubs in Spain and Italy.

"It became clear a transfer deal involving David might prove beneficial not only for the club but also for the player."

Real will offer a new one-year deal to coach Vicente Del Bosque - then try to land Sven Goran Eriksson.

As SunSport revealed yesterday, England boss Eriksson is wanted to link up with national skipper Becks after the Euro 2004 campaign.

sumber: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2003281295,00.html

[Rupert G]

Salam.

Aku "wonder" gaks...siapa sebenarnya yang mahu Beckham pergi? Sedia maklum, cerita Beck nak blah ni dah lama dan dicanang lagi masa "Champions League" MUFC vs R.Madrid...dan terserlah juga bila Beck habiskan masanya di padang OT lepas perlawanan terakhir MU di OT...:)

[Rupert G]

What The Papers Say: Friday 20 June

Waster
Arsene Wenger believes Alex Ferguson blundered in his sale of David Beckham. Manchester United picked up £25million from Real Madrid for the England skipper. But Arsenal boss Wenger said: "The personal problems between Beckham and Ferguson certainly lowered the fee." The Frenchman reckons United, who originally put a £35m tag on Becks' head, missed out because clubs knew Fergie wanted rid of him.
Neil Custis, The Sun

Fergie's laughing
A ravenous squadron of vultures will be circling over Old Trafford as early as August 16 as the Premiership fixture computer came up with a belter yesterday. Manchester United at home to bogey side Bolton on the opening day of the season. As Trotters' boss Sam Allardyce said: "The lads will be relishing the start of the season even more now and confident of upsetting the odds at Old Trafford for a third successive year."
Steven Howard, The Sun

Nolan: I'll jinx United
Kevin Nolan has vowed to make it three times unlucky for Manchester United on the opening day of the season. The Bolton midfielder, 20, has scored with Sam Allardyce's men winning both.
Sports staff, The Sun

Beckham's transfer U-turn
David Beckham fired a parting shot at the men who forced him out of Manchester United - and then quickly insisted he did not mean it. Becks did a U-turn after admitting his £25million move to Real Madrid could have been handled better. Just a few hours later, he rushed out a statement insisting he had NOT intended a dig at United for engineering the megabucks deal. England's skipper adopted an arms-folded stance at a Tokyo Press conference at 11.15am UK time and said: "Of course it could have been handled a bit differently. I think things went on that I wouldn't be happy about." Yet by 2.30pm Beckham then insisted he had not tried to attack his former club. He said: "I understand reports are circulating that I was unhappy with some aspects of my transfer from Manchester United. That is not the case and I did not mean to give that impression."
Dave Kidd, The Sun

Carlos: It was Yes in April
David Beckham told Roberto Carlos TWO MONTHS ago he would be joining Real Madrid. The Brazil star asked Becks if he was on his way as they left the pitch after Real's European Cup quarter-final clash at Manchester United on April 23. Carlos revealed: "After the match at Old Trafford I asked David Beckham if he was joining Real Madrid and he indicated he would be."
Dave Kidd, The Sun

Fergie blew Becks move
Arsene Wenger last night reopened his bitter feud with Sir Alex Ferguson by predicting the sale of David Beckham will signal the end of Manchester United's "great" era. In a further dig at his fiercest managerial rival, the Arsenal boss claimed Real Madrid were able to sign Beckham on the cheap at £25million because of the fall-out between Ferguson and his star player. Wenger, who is in France for the Confederations Cup, believes Beckham's departure will signal the disintegration of the current United team and may even damage their famous dressing-room spirit. He said: "One of the things that made Manchester great is the togetherness the group of players had and what they had achieved. Well it is the beginning of a break-up for that group. For me, it was a surprise."
John Cross, Daily Mirror

We're sick of Becks
Real Madrid had peace talks with their players yesterday to try to calm mounting tension over the David Beckham transfer. Some of the star-studded squad are angry the £25million deal for the England captain overshadowed the build-up to their title quest. Real need to beat Athletic Bilbao on Sunday to become Spanish champions, but senior players such as Raul and Fernando Hierro have voiced concerns that their battle to finish top could be scuppered by all the distractions surrounding the England captain's transfer. And they believe signing him in the week before the season's final game was crass and showed a lack of respect to those already at the club.
David McDonnell and David Maddock, Daily Mirror

Kenyon: United had to sell or he would have gone for free
Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon last night denied that the club drove David Beckham out of Old Trafford against his will. As Beckham claimed from Tokyo that he would have wanted his departure to have been handled differently, Kenyon maintained that the England captain’s unwillingness to sign a new long-term contract had been the final straw.
Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror

Miss you! – Becks thanks United
David Beckham yesterday admitted for the first time how much he’ll miss Old Trafford. And he pledged to send a message of thanks to the fans once he has settled in at new club Real Madrid. “Manchester United fans have been a massive part of my career,” he said during his whistle-stop promotional tour of Japan.
David Woods, Daily Star

It could all Beck-fire on Fergie
Robert Pires insists the sale of David Beckham could backfire spectacularly on Manchester United – and help Arsenal’s bid for the title. Midfielder Pires has watched the Beckham saga with growing interest and believes it could be good news for the Gunners.
Chris Hatherall, Daily Star

FA to audit Becks deal
The FA will run an audit into the £25million David Beckham transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid. It is certain the Beckham transaction will be chosen among those summer deals the FA plan to investigate.
Harry Harris, Daily Express

An offer that he could refuse
David Beckham would have been offered a pay rise of only £7,000 a week on a four-year deal when Manchester United first approached the possibility of a new contract at a summit meeting on May 14. With the England captain already on £95,000 a week, it was hardly a tempting offer if Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon’s request for talks with Beckham’s agent, Tony Stephens, had been accepted.
Harry Harris, Daily Express

Waiting game goes on for Ron
Manchester United’s eagerness to start parting with the £25million generated by the sale of David Beckham has been frustrated after Ronaldinho’s proposed move from Paris St Germain was put on hold. United are vying with Barcelona, Newcastle United and the Paris club for the signature of the Brazilian World Cup winner, currently on international duty at the Confederations Cup in France.
Sports staff, Daily Express

Fergie: I blame Posh
Sir Alex Ferguson has laid the blame for David Beckham’s shock departure from Manchester United firmly on the shoulders of the England captain’s wife Victoria. The United boss said his star player changed completely after meeting the former Spice Girl.
Geoff Marsh, Daily Express

Joke over for star’s pal Giggsy
Fellow stars at Manchester United were bemoaning David Beckham’s move last night – because they won’t be able to take the mickey out of the “flash cockney” any more. “He has always had lots of stick from us at United about the way he dresses,” said 29-year-old Giggs.
Tony Brooks, Daily Express

Kewell snubs Old Trafford talks
Harry Kewell seems set against joining Manchester United and is prepared to wait for Arsenal or Barcelona to come up with an offer that is acceptable to Leeds. Sportsmail can reveal that United agreed a fee for the Australia international two weeks ago, after which only preliminary discussions took place about Kewell’s personal terms.
Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail

sumber: http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=37810&itype=466&icategoryid=365

[Rupert G]

Sick to the Beck teeth




Hello Robbo.

Hello son.

How are you?

I'm all right, son - not bad at all.

Glad to hear it. Well there's only one thing to talk about at the moment, isn't there?

Well there only seems to be one thing that everybody else is bothered about. I think it's gone bloomin' Beckham bonkers to be honest.

I was sitting at home watching The Vice the other night and when it got to the end, one of those announcers with the deep voices said: "Coming up now, an extended news broadcast..."

I thought, what's happened - have they found a nuclear bomb in London or summat?

No, they've extended the news so they can talk some more about Beckham's transfer to Real Madrid.

Now I like sport more than any anybody else on God's green earth, but I see no reason to extend a news broadcast to talk some more about some lad's transfer to a big team! It's gone mad!

Fair enough, but it's a good story. There's been all sorts of hoo-hahs, like the fact he can't wear the number seven shirt.

Well that's easily solved - he should do what Zamorano did at Inter - wear the number 16 shirt and put a plus sign between the two numbers - crafty.

Yes, I like that. But what about the language barrier? Beckham can barely speak English, let alone Spanish, so it should be interesting to see how he communicates with his new team-mates.

I'm sure he'll be all right - he'll communicate with his feet. But the thing is, he shouldn't be going to Real at all - it's gone mad there.

It's a bit like when I go shopping with the missus. She'll see something and I'll say: "No, love, you've already got a right-sided midfielder of a world-class standard - you don't need another one."

And she'll say: "But I want another one."

So I'll tell her she doesn't need one and she'll say: "Well I'm gonna get one anyway."

So I say: "All right, but you won't use it - you'll just leave it in the wardrobe." It's exactly the same.

I don't know how many starts Beckham will get or whether he'll have a punch-up with Figo...

I think a punch-up between those two would be your classic handbags at six paces.

I think you're right.

Well we've had loads and loads of emails about Beckham, but we've picked out this one from Liam in England who's having a go at you for having a go at Sir Alex Ferguson:

Oh, you of such a short memory. Ferguson helped save and improve Beckham's career after France '98. I bet you didn't complain when fans were hanging effigies of Golden Balls - and now Fergie's the bad guy? You Lemming, you!

To be honest I did slag off Beckham in '98 - and do you know why, because he let the entire nation down.

But, bless him, he was ashamed of himself and came back good and strong.

As for Fergie - on the day of the transfer, Beckham says: "Thanks, Alex, you're the best man I ever worked with and I owe you my life."

And Fergie says: "Thanks, Dave, you've been a top player, I've known you since you were a little nipper. It's absolutely marvellous."

Next day in the press, you've got Fergie saying it's all Posh's fault - Posh ruined Beckham.

He's having a go because Beckham's got into fashion and stuff. The trouble with Ferguson is that he's the same bloke he was when he was 12.

He hasn't changed since then. He doesn't understand how someone else might develop another interest apart from football.

I bet you Schmeichel went because Fergie said: "You're playing the piano too much now - leave."

And I bet Stam left because he was taking up line-dancing in his spare time.

That's the trouble with Ferguson, he expects everyone to be as full on as him. So, Liam, shut it!

OK, well I'm sure Beckham is going to dominate the headlines for weeks to come - unless Henman wins Wimbledon of course.

So Beckham's going to dominate the headlines for weeks to come in other words.

Staying with football and an erstwhile team-mate of Beckham's, Phil Neville.

Someone calling themselves Big John O'Shea says: Robbo, Leave off Phil Neville will you, he's much better than any player in the whole of England.

No-one else can make Pat Vieira look like a Man City player, like he did in the Arsenal match. Phil can tear anyone apart on his day and deserves to be the first name on the England team sheet.

Oh come on! In all the years we've been doing this, Chris, have you ever heard anyone who sounds more like they're ripping the p*** out of us than that?

No!

You can't possibly mean any of that, Big John O'Shea. If it's the real John O'Shea, then I'm sure he knows better than anybody that that's all tripe.

There's more to being a football player than being a limpet. If the height of your ambition as a footballer is to stand next to another player for 90 minutes, then fine, Phil Neville's a marvel.

I would just leave him out - I'd even have Nicky Butt instead of Phil Neville - and I can't believe I'm saying that!

So it's fair to say Phil wouldn't be the first name on your England team sheet, then?

He'd be the first name on my England toilet paper sheet - before I used it!

sumber: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/robbo/3003706.stm

[Rupert G]

Is there life after Old Trafford?

David Beckham has joined a lengthy list of Old Trafford idols who have had their departure rubber-stamped by the ruthless Sir Alex Ferguson.

Beckham has left the glamour of Manchester United for the even glitzier surroundings of Real Madrid and The Bernabeu.

He now has to prove he is worthy of joining Real's superstars, while at the same time proving Manchester United boss Ferguson was wrong to show him the door.

So who else has left Old Trafford with a point to prove - and is there really life after Ferguson and Manchester United?



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PAUL MCGRATH

The Republic of Ireland defender was a stalwart of Ron Atkinson's colourful Old Trafford side, a man who played as hard off the field as on it.

It was this lifestyle, which Ferguson regarded as part of a drinking culture at the club, that sealed his fate.

Villa landed McGrath for £450,000 in the summer of 1989 and he is still regarded as one of their finest players.

He was PFA Player of the Year in 1993 and played in Villa's League Cup wins in 1994 and 1996.



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NORMAN WHITESIDE

Whiteside was the teenage prodigy who won a place in Old Trafford folklore, but he also fell foul of Ferguson's determination to clean up the club's image.

He was sold to Everton for £750,000 at the start of the 1989/90 season and had two injury-plagued years before retiring because of a knee problem.



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MARK HUGHES

Hughes made himself an Old Trafford legend in two brilliant spells at Old Trafford - but he was part of a fierce Ferguson cull after the 1995 FA Cup final defeat against Everton.

Hughes went on to win FA Cup and European Cup Winners medals with Chelsea after leaving Old Trafford.

He also had spells at Southampton and Everton before putting himself among the silverware again by playing in Blackburn's Worthington Cup Final win against Spurs in 2002.

He retired at the end of last season at the age of 38 and is now carving an outstanding reputation as manager of Wales.



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PAUL INCE

Ferguson grew tired of the self-styled "Guv'nor", the man he infamously labelled "a big time Charlie" in a fly-on-the-wall documentary after he left Old Trafford.

He was sold to Inter Milan for £7m in 1995, where he became a fans' hero and helped them reach the Uefa Cup final in 1997 before joining Liverpool in a £4.2m deal.

Ince had an unsatisfactory Liverpool career before being shown the door by Gerard Houllier in 1999.

He gave sterling service to Middlesbrough for two seaons before inspiring Wolves back into the Premiership.



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ANDREI KANCHELSKIS

The flying winger left Old Trafford in acrimonious circumstances to join Everton in a £5.5m deal in 1995.

The Ukrainian had one outstanding season at Everton, but struggled after Euro 96 before leaving for Fiorentina in an £8m deal.

He was a flop in Italy and returned to have fleeting success with Rangers, but spells at Manchester City and Southampton proved fruitless.



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MARK BOSNICH

Ferguson broke the habit of a lifetime by giving the colourful Australian goalkeeper a second chance to join United.

He left Old Trafford in 1991 and re-surfaced at Aston Villa, but was then brought back into the Old Trafford fold in June 1999 after Peter Schmeichel retired.

Bosnich gets ban

Bosnich was dogged by injury and poor form, and was replaced after only one season by Fabien Barthez.

He embarked on a war of attrition with Ferguson, threatening to sit out his lucrative contract before being allowed to join Chelsea on a free transfer in January 2001.

Once again injuries denied him a regular place and he is currently serving a nine-match FA ban for failing a drug test after testing positive for cocaine.



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ANDY COLE

Left Manchester United on good terms in December 2001 when he joined Blackburn Rovers in an £8m deal.

He had played his part in United's triumphs, and showed he was a winner again with the crucial goal in Blackburn's 2002 Worthington Cup final win against Spurs.

Cole had mixed fortunes last term, but still helped Blackburn qualify for the Uefa Cup.



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DWIGHT YORKE

Yorke was another established Manchester United star who came into conflict with Ferguson over his lifestyle.

He left Aston Villa for United in a £12.5m deal just after the start of the 1998/99 season and played a key role as they claimed the treble of the title, FA Cup and Champions League that season.

But his form fell away and he spent long spells in the wilderness, capturing more headlines for his relationship with surgically reconstructed model Jordan than his football.

Yorke was eventually re-united with Cole at Blackburn in a £2m move in July 2002 - but has only shown flashes of a return to his best form.



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JAAP STAM

Arguably Ferguson's most contentious victim, with speculation still surrounding the true story of his sudden Old Trafford exit.

The Dutch defender had been an outstanding figure at United after signing in 1998, but was sold to Lazio almost overnight in August 2001 after the publication of his book.

Stam revealed Ferguson had made an illegal approach to sign him when he moved from PSV Eindhoven in a £10.5m move and also laid bare some tasty Old Trafford's secrets.

Ferguson insists the £16.5m move to Italy was a purely footballing decision - but Stam has never sounded convinced.

sumber: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3001536.stm