www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Fri May 14 09:34:36 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. Return of the Jedi Personal Report from Blackburn by RED KELLY
2. Manchester Senior Cup
3. Sir Matt is Gone for the Big Championship day!
4. A bit worried nullarticle from the Blackburn gamenull
5. Sheringham and Beckham can have last laugh on the hecklers
6. Manchester United Share Purchase - at meeting of "Shareholders United"
7. Spurs game by PROF R SOUTHALL
8. What a season! (to be continued ...)
9. Reds flog another Video/Keano at Wembley/Norwegian Would?
10. FERGIE DREAMING OF HOME FINALE
11. Ryan Giggs paid a glowing tribute to the crucial role played by David Beckham
12. Times: Return of Keane Spurs United
13. European Cup Final Referee (Teamtalk)
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Ready for the crunch! Three Matches = Three Trophies!
May 12 22.00 Result: Blackburn 0-0 Manchrester United
http://www.red11.org/mufc/sound/99/alex_after_blackburn.rm
Alex after the Blackburn match
155k 2.23 "RED sky at night UNITED delight"
1 Manchester United 37 21 13 3 78 36 42 76
2 Arsenal 37 21 12 4 58 17 41 75
TODAY! See the BOSTON REDS celebrate the win at Boro' live!
http://www.red11.org/miva/matchreports.mv
+ Paul Hinson receives the Masterfan Trophy from Jaap Stam at OT last week!
PICS + Blackburn Match report!
"Here comes the PL"
RED Barry
Daily RED Trivia Friday 14th May 1999:
14/5/1901:
Frank McPherson born in Barrow-in-Furness. McPherson, a pacy forward,
made his United debut at Bristol City in August 1923, and was in the side that
earned promotion in 1925. He scored 52 goals in 175 appearances between 1925-28.
14/5/1994:
United beat Chelsea 4-0 in the FA Cup Final at Wembley watched by 80,000.
A second-half salvo from Eric Cantona 2, Mark Hughes and Brian McClair wrap
up United's first ever League and Cup double. Team was: Schmeichel, Parker,
Irwin (Sharpe), Bruce, Ince, Pallister, Cantona, Keane, Kanchelskis (McClair),
Hughes, Giggs.
*********************
Barry Daily Comment:
Well REDS the countdown is like this
2 days Tottenham PL
8 days Newcsatle FAC
12 days Bayern Munich CL Final
I will leave Denmark for Barce in 8 days after the cup final
RED sky at night BARCE' delight
Enjoy the next 3 CHAMPIONSHIP matches, one and ALL!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Latest sound interviews in Real Audio here:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/sound/99
Everyone who wants the goal in Real Time Video 300k now thanks to RED CAFE!
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/texts/report98/domestic/arse-fa2.htm
FA Cup Semi Final Replay
14 April 1999
Manchester United 2:1 Arsenal
Villa Park
Download Ryan Giggs Goal! (Real Video: 300K)
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/real/giggs-goal.ra
Thanks to the Theatre of Dreams
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MANCHESTER UNITED STATS v ALL teams on the Web
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats.htm
Previous News:
BSKYB Takeover news/pics at http://www.red11.org/mufc/bskyb.htm
Brian Kidd Press conference, pic, real audio
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/kidd.htm
Peter Schmeichel's last Season at United!
http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/schmeichel.htm
Next games:
ALL Result/Fixture Index:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm
If you would like ALL the final fixtures for
UNITED/Arse/Chelsea then go to http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899.htm
Next Games:
May
12 Blackburn (A) 20.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
16 Tottenham (H) 16.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
22 FAC Final Wembley Newcastle (N) Live on Sky Sports UK
26 European Cup Final Bayern Munich Nou Camp
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 11/05/99 ***
Blackburn 0-0 Manchester United
*** LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 12/05/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 37 21 13 3 78 36 42 76
2 Arsenal 37 21 12 4 58 17 41 75
3 Chelsea 37 19 15 3 55 29 26 72
4 Leeds United 37 18 12 7 60 32 28 66
5 Aston Villa 37 15 10 12 51 45 6 55
6 West Ham United 37 15 9 13 42 53 -11 54
7 Derby County 37 13 13 11 39 43 -4 52
8 Liverpool 37 14 9 14 65 49 16 51
9 Middlesbrough 37 12 15 10 48 50 -2 51
10 Leicester City 37 12 13 12 40 45 -5 49
11 Tottenham Hotspur 37 11 14 12 46 48 -2 47
12 Newcastle United 37 11 12 14 47 53 -6 45
13 Sheffield Wednesday 37 12 7 18 40 42 -2 43
14 Everton 37 11 10 16 42 45 -3 43
15 Wimbledon 37 10 12 15 40 60 -20 42
16 Coventry City 37 11 8 18 37 49 -12 41
17 Southampton 37 10 8 19 35 64 -29 38
18 Charlton Athletic 37 8 12 17 41 55 -14 36
19 Blackburn Rovers 37 7 13 17 37 51 -14 34
20 Nottingham Forest 37 6 9 22 34 69 -35 27
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 05/05/99 ***
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/08/98 Leicester City Home D 2-2 11 55,052
22/08/98 West Ham United Away D 0-0 11 26,039
09/09/98 Charlton Athletic Home W 4-1 9 55,147
12/09/98 Coventry City Home W 2-0 5 55,193
20/09/98 Arsenal Away L 0-3 10 38,142
24/09/98 Liverpool Home W 2-0 3 55,181
03/10/98 Southampton Away W 3-0 2 15,251
17/10/98 Wimbledon Home W 5-1 2 55,265
24/10/98 Derby County Away D 1-1 2 30,867
31/10/98 Everton Away W 4-1 2 40,079
08/11/98 Newcastle United Home D 0-0 3 55,174
14/11/98 Blackburn Rovers Home W 3-2 2 55,198
21/11/98 Sheffield Wednesday Away L 1-3 2 39,475
29/11/98 Leeds United Home W 3-2 2 55,172
05/12/98 Aston Villa Away D 1-1 2 39,241
12/12/98 Tottenham Hotspur Away D 2-2 1 36,079
16/12/98 Chelsea Home D 1-1 2 55,159
19/12/98 Middlesbrough Home L 2-3 3 55,152
26/12/98 Nottingham Forest Home W 3-0 3 55,216
29/12/98 Chelsea Away D 0-0 3 34,741
10/01/99 West Ham United Home W 4-1 3 55,180
16/01/99 Leicester City Away W 6-2 2 22,091
31/01/99 Charlton Athletic Away W 1-0 1 20,043
03/02/99 Derby County Home W 1-0 1 55,174
06/02/99 Nottingham Forest Away W 8-1 1 30,025
17/02/99 Arsenal Home D 1-1 1 55,171
20/02/99 Coventry City Away W 1-0 1 22,596
27/02/99 Southampton Home W 2-1 1 55,316
13/03/99 Newcastle United Away W 2-1 1 36,500
21/03/99 Everton Home W 3-1 1 55,182
03/04/99 Wimbledon Away D 1-1 1 26,121
17/04/99 Sheffield Wednesday Home W 3-0 1 55,270
25/04/99 Leeds United Away D 1-1 2 40,255
01/05/99 Aston Villa Home W 2-1 1 55,189
05/05/99 Liverpool Away D 2-2 2 44,702
09/05/99 Middlesbrough Away W 1-0 1 34,665
12/05/99 Blackburn Away D 0-0 1 30,436
*** TEAM STATISTICS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 09/05/99 ***
AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE: 55,188
HIGHEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 27/02/99 - Southampton (55,316)
LOWEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 15/08/98 - Leicester City (55,052)
BEST WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
BEST HOME WIN: 17/10/98 - Wimbledon (5-1)
HEAVIEST HOME DEFEAT: 19/12/98 - Middlesbrough (2-3)
BEST AWAY WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST AWAY DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
*****
Champions League:
Group D P W D L F A Pts
Bayern Munich 6 3 2 1 9 6 11
Man United 6 2 4 0 20 11 10
Barcelona 6 2 2 2 11 9 8
Brondby 6 1 0 5 4 18 3
Dec 9 Brøndby 0-2 Barcelona
Dec 9 Man Utd 1-1 Bayern Munich
******
CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS
Manchester Utd 2 v 0 Inter Milan
Real Madrid 1 v 1 Dynamo Kiev
Juventus 2 v 1 Olympiakos
Bayern Munich 2 v 0 Kaiserslautern
**DYNAMO KIEV 2 v 0 REAL MADRID (Agg:3-1)
FC KAISERSLAUTERN 0 v 4 **BAYERN MUNICH (Agg:0-6)
INTERNAZIONALE FC 1 v 1 **MANCHESTER UNITED (Agg:1-3)
OLYMPIAKOS 1 v 1 **JUVENTUS (Agg:2-3)
Semi Finals
Manchester United v Juventus 4-3agg 3-2 [1-1]
Bayern Munchen v Dynamo Kiev 4-3agg 1-0 [3-3]
UEFA Champions League Final MANCHESTER UNITED v BAYERN MUNICH
Venue Camp Nou (Estadi FC Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
Date Wednesday 26 May 1999 Kick-Off 20.45 CET (19.45 GMT)
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: Return of the Jedi Personal Report from Blackburn by RED KELLY
Return of the Jedi
Part two of the trilogy was enacted at Ewok Park last night. It ended
Blackburn's faint hopes of survival in the Premiership and increased
United's chances of the title, but only just.
Giggs (the Jedi for the sake of carrying on this trilogy theme!) returned,
but his light sabre only flashed spasmodically ooooooooer. It was good to
see him back but he seemed to be suffering from the same affliction as
every other United player on the pitch - final ball itis.
It was a very strange night last night, really very strange, and I'm not
sure what I'm going to write or how I'm going to write it, but I'll write
something if only for the sake of therapy.
The day had started very well. My Euro Cup Final ticket had arrived in the
post and it's a decent seat so I was happy and feeling confident. Mick and
I were originally arranging to travel with Richard but in the end took my
car and drove up the M6 to Manchester via the M5 route due to an horrific
accident in Warwickshire lower down on the same motorway. Travelling to as
many games as we do at the moment you get to witness all sorts of sights
and it does your sense of well being no good whatsoever.
Thankfully yesterday afternoon was trouble free for us and we arrived in
Boothstown, Manchester by 5.30 where we transferred to the TonySmithmobile
and set off on the relatively short journey to Blackburn where we were due
to meet up with a few others in Pete's local. Up to this point everything
was normal and apart from the game to come the only things we had to worry
about were food and beer, or rather beer and food. We were all engrossed in
various conversations when the phone rang and suddenly everything changed.
It was Richard. He was on the motorway by the M65 and sounded a bit dazed.
He'd ploughed into the central reservation and written his car off. No-one
else was involved and both Richard and his passengers were OK. When I say
OK, I mean they weren't physically injured.
All thoughts of titles, triples and tipples went straight out of our heads
at that moment and from then on we viewed the night from a totally
different perspective. Football is football, life is life. If there was a
choice we all know which would take priority. However the most important
thing was they had escaped relatively unharmed.
The two others in the car had been picked up by a friend who just happened
to be passing and they were brought to the ground. Richard waited for the
AA and also decided he wouldn't want to miss the game so he got the AA man
to detour to the ground as well! Is this man a trooper or what?
Back at the pub we were all in a mild state of shock at the news that one
of our own had been involved in what could have been a tragic event. We
decided to forgo any more drinking and make our way down the long hill,
past Chez Hargreaves and Uncle Jack's pub, to Ewok Park where the furry
creatures come out to play and Uncle Jack entertains the crowd by throwing
wads of fivers from his exec seat while cheekily tipping his wig. The
locals cheer and sing their songs accompanied by a big drum: "Get into 'em,
get into 'em" they sing - quaint isn't it?
There was a good turn out at Ewok last night, plenty of the usual faces and
the atmosphere was good at the start, but in all honesty it didn't feel
quite right. The strain was showing, not just in the team, but also in the
stands.
The PA announcer whipped up the locals into a frenzy as the teams came out
- it's all getting very American football I'm afraid. Their mascot - a
cross between a skunk, a badger and a lion paraded around in his orange and
blue furry uniform amusing the crowd with his stupid gestures. His colours
co-ordinated with the less than friendly stewards - actually we were left
alone to stand all the way through so I suppose they weren't that bad!
I'd not been to Blackburn since the stadium has been redeveloped so it was
a surprise to see the old wooden stand to our right still exactly the same
as it ever was. I was reminiscing before the match about the United away
game I'd seen there in '65 I think, it was when we scored a bagfull and put
the yonners down. It was in the days when you could change ends at
half-time so that your team could attack towards the goal you stood behind.
We ended up doing a conga all round the ground!
I don't think I'll do much reminiscing about last night's game though as it
was poor. I held out great hopes at first though when we seemed to be
permanently camped in their goalmouth at the opposite end of the pitch, but
the second half changed things completely and it became more and more
likely the game would end 0-0. Well, put it this way, when Ashley Ward
scuffed his shot wide of an open goal we were happy with 0-0.
I couldn't understand why Ole didn't come on with Sheringham because Yorke
looked absolutely shagged out and probably was - I wish he'd give all that
a rest - just for ten days would do! And why did the Blackburn players have
to fall over all the time and wait motionless til the trainer came on and
then jump up as though nothing had happened. It pained me to watch and did
nothing for the flow of the game, which is obviously why they did it. And
why was Yorkie so bloody nice to them kicking the ball into touch when he
could have been clean through on goal just because there was a yonner
feigning death alongside him? Becks gave him a well deserved bollocking for
that - daft bastard.
It was not a classic by any stretch of the imagination, but did anyone
really expect it to be - surely not. You could almost slice through the
tension with people frequently screaming in exasperation at yet another
wasted final ball. It was frustration all the way through that second half.
Relief came in the end when the ref blew for full-time and the Blackburn
fate was finally sealed. They were wrapped up in their own plastic and
slung out of the Premier League back to where they came from, £100 million
and all.
For us the tension continues. We are one point clear with one game to go.
We are three matches away from history. 91 other football league clubs
would kill to be in our shoes so let's get this into perspective and gather
ourselves for the final push. I'm sure we will beat Tottenham and when we
have all the tension will be lifted and we'll go on to greater things. It's
a sort of all or maybe nothing situation - but only because it's always
been like that before.
After the game had finished the Blackburn fans stood and cheered their
players off the pitch. Then stayed behind until they came out again and I
thought they deserved credit for that. I felt a twinge of sympathy for
Kiddo and Choccy, but they made their decisions and they'll be back in the
Premier sometime as long as Uncle Jack decides to give them a few more
million to spend.
We then all met up again outside. Richard was also there having seen parts
of the game in between trips to the medical room. We then wandered back up
the hill and after a whistle wetter in the pub Tony drove us back to
Manchester to pick up my car. From there it was a very long journey home
especially after missing the turn off the M56 due to some confusing cone
arrangements and inadequate signage. To end up on country roads going
through Congleton at midnight when you're already shattered and have nearly
two hours of travelling left is tough, but what the hell with three of the
biggest games of our lives left.
Like I said, who wouldn't want to be in our shoes right now, so let's enjoy
it while we can.
Copyright RED KELLY 1999
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: [RedDevils] LIST : Manchester Senior Cup
From: Peter Hargreaves
I went to Boundary Park, Oldham, tonight and it was bloody freezing! For
those of you who are unfamiliar with the North West of England let me tell
you that Oldham is just about the coldest place here, seeming to get the
bad weather whichever direction it is coming from. Tonight was no exception
and I was glad that I had taken the precaution to put me vest back on and
take a spare jumper with me. Not only was it cold but it poured with rain
throughout the whole match - with the exception of a ten minute spell when
the sun shone with an unbelievable (well unbelievable for Oldham!) radiance.
Contrary to the 'informed' opinion the team we put out tonight did not
differ greatly from that which has represented us throughout this
competition. The major change was the introduction of Wesley Brown into the
back four to partner O'Shea. Brown, as always, looked the business.
The first half was fairly mediocre. The pitch, which looked alright, was
obviously very wet and as a consequence all the players found it difficult
to control the ball, judge the weight of pass and also to keep their feet.
Half time came with neither side having threatened to score. 0-0.
In the second half we witnessed an entirely different game. Oldham had
really worked hard closing us down in the first half and I wondered if they
would tire in the second. It appeared that they tired whilst in the
dressing room eating their orange for from the whistle we totally dominated
the game. The first goal came after fourteen minutes when some sweet
passing interchanges led to a through ball which Healy burst on to. He took
a couple of touches and then hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the
net, from distance. Smashing goal.
Up to that point the sad, no-marks who are the Oldham Pathetic supporters
had treated us to the full panoply of ABU songs - "Stand up if you....",
"If you hate Man Utd clap....", "You're going to win f**k all" (which I
thought, coming from a team who had escaped relegation to the (old) fourth
division, by the skin of their teeth - and the largesse of Manchester City
- was an absolute hoot), "Oh Manchester is full of s**t" (which also amused
me as they referred to themselves as being from LANCASHIRE - where the
bloody hell do they think the County Cricket ground is, eh? - Tossers!) and
on, and on, and bloody on. Anyway when we scored they quietened down slightly.
They restarted, we immediately won the ball and fed young Chadwick out wide
on the left. He beat a couple of men, cut inside and fired a lovely low
shot into the bottom, right hand corner of the net. 2-0. The no-marks were
stunned into total silence. I wanted to stand and shout "So we're going to
win f**k all are we? T**ts" - but as I was on me own, I didn't. I probably
would have done thirty years ago!!!!
From that moment on we completely bossed it. We started to play some very
nice controlled football and kept possession. They were chasing shadows and
not doing so very quickly. They had run themselves out and it was only
going to be a matter of time before we scored again. And thus it came to
pass. Five minutes from the end some more good work saw Wilson put through
and he slotted in the third. 3-0. Game over - give us the cup.
At the end the no-marks all buggered off and the brave souls representing
the Centre of the Universe stood to give the young boys a very well
deserved ovation.
It had been a wile since I was last in Boundary park and it hasn't
improved. The meat and potato pies were 'slushy' and not very hot. However
I forced a couple down at half time just to keep me toes warm.
The team was:
Culkin - I need to be convinced that this lad is going to make it. He has
improved his kicking though (that part of his game was totally unacceptable
until recently) and his general positioning seems to be on the up too.
Obviously Tony Coton is having an effect.
Clegg - This kid is the latest one who will me look an arse. I just don't
think the kid can play. He can't trap a ball, can't pass, is poor in the
air, seems to lack pace and the rest of his game isn't that good either! I
just don't see this kid making it - so watch out for him becoming our next
world-beater!
Curtis - good solid performance. Like this lad and think he will do well.
O'Shea - actually looked a bit shaky once or twice tonight. I don't think
the conditions suited him that much. He is a bit gangly and can look
awkward sometimes when controlling the ball and turning. But he's only a
kid so we must wait and see.
Brown - pure class. 'Nuff said.
Ford - has not impressed me the last few games. Tonight drifted out of the
game for long periods. Even at the end, when we really were bossing it, he
didn't make that much impact. Again we must see how he progresses. I do
wish they would get him on a diet of M&P pies and stout though - he really
needs filling out.
Wellens - gave a typical bullish performance in midfield. I don't think
this lad will make it all the way at OT, but he'll have a career I think.
He works hard, has got bottle and I like those qualities. Good lad this.
Wilson - scored a good goal. He is a bit light. Has good, quick feet but
sometimes seems to dwell a bit on the ball. Now that may be (over)
confidence - or he may not be sharp in his head - I don't know, but he's
not a bad player overall. Turns well too and runs unselfishly off the ball.
Healy - run of the mill centre forward. Small lad but reasonably strong.
Very mobile and can be effective stretching defences across the width of
the park. Don't see him making it though.
Chadwick - Linda tells me he's just signed professional forms so they must
like the look of him at OT. He is reasonably pacey and has good feet, but
tends to overplay and doesn't demonstrate much vision to this old timer. I
would like to see him look up a bit more. But he is one to watch I think.
Greening - Had a good game tonight - was showing for the ball all over the
park. Held the centre of midfield and played a lot of good passes and also
held the ball up well, bringing others into play. Good lad as we have all
seen in his run-outs with the big boys.
Didn't get the names of the subs so we will have to rely on Mr MUTV (the
Mad Dane!) to furnish those details.
** Barry here "sorry no details of subs, see my short TV report here-under
Thanks >pete for withstanding the colsd and sending the fine report!" **
Keep the Faith, Pete
Peter Hargreaves (United Kingdom)
http://www.cheswem.u-net.com/
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: Sir Matt is Gone for the Big Championship day!
Dateline 10th May 199 Old Trafford
Its a (&/==/=)/(=)?=!?!?!?! disgrace Sir Matt is not in his rightfull
position ready for the Championship next Sunday! :(
Redevelopment of East Stand
more proof?
Here they are
http://www.red11.org/mufc/images/99/
http://www.red11.org/mufc/images/99/sirmatt2_100599.jpg
http://www.red11.org/mufc/images/99/sirmatt3_100599.jpg
http://www.red11.org/mufc/images/99/sirmatt_100599.jpg
http://www.red11.org/mufc/images/99/sirmattgone_100599.jpg
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: A bit worried [article from the Blackburn game]
From: Peter Hargreaves
When we all got back to the pub after the game last night the atmosphere
was almost surreal. It was the same on the coach on Sunday when, having
just won a vital game, most people sat down and promptly fell fast asleep.
We are all jaded - God alone knows how the players must feel.
On Sunday the boys looked a bit weary, last night they looked absolutely
buggered. There can, in my mind, be no other reason why we started playing
'ale-house' football (ie the long boot upfield) instead of our lovely
passing game. Of course the latter requires a great deal of energy. Anybody
who has played (at any level) knows how you need stamina to play the
give-and-go style of football - I just think these lads are in need of a
'second wind'.
The big concern, obviously, is that we have TWO absolutely vital games
AFTER the big one on Sunday. I mean they just don't come any bigger than
the FA Cup Final and then the European Cup Final - I hope we can go the
distance.
I was sorry to see Kiddo get relegated but as a lot said (and rightly so)
he's made his bed and must lie in it. Somehow (knowing this area and the
people as I do) I have a fancy that we might not see Blackburn Rovers back
for a while. This is not, and never has been, a footballing town. It is a
very 'small' place, with small-time, no-mark fans and I just doubt whether
they will settle for lesser things so shortly after winning the BIG one. I
felt not one ounce of sympathy for Jack Walker. Although I have never met
him, what I have heard from and about him, suggests he is a shithouse and
feels he can buy ANYTHING. Well bollocks he hasn't bought long-term success
has he? All his brass has, in the final analysis, brought him bollocks all.
Good.
So we move on to Sunday. The draw last night was a good result really. We
looked jaded and Blackburn ran their whatsists off. The point may yet prove
to be enough.
Keep the Faith, Pete
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: Sheringham and Beckham can have last laugh on the hecklers
By Henry Winter
AMID all the hype and hoopla surrounding Manchester United, it can be
forgotten that this season has not been a bed of red roses for everyone at
Old Trafford. As they prepared for Sunday's season-ending visit of
Tottenham Hotspur, a club both have associations with, David Beckham and
Teddy Sheringham yesterday reflected on the dark times of a glittering year.
Following his red card against Argentina at France 98, Beckham returned to
the domestic scene as the principal target of terrace abuse, ranging from
'Beckscum' banners to obscene chants about his fiancêe. For Sheringham, a
sense of growing frustration has coloured his season. Having lost his
international place during France 98, Sheringham was then forced to watch
from the bench as Dwight Yorke partnered Andy Cole in a jig across England
and Europe.
Spurs fans will taunt Sheringham, a famous lilywhite old boy, on Sunday,
just as they will heckle Beckham, a Leytonstone lad who trained as a
schoolboy at White Hart Lane. Sheringham takes the pending vilification as
a compliment, smiling that "Tottenham fans were sad to see me go".
Beckham accepts the brickbats as part of life post-St Etienne. "At the
start of the season a lot of people were wondering whether I would crack or
go abroad," Beckham said. "All I wanted to do was to come back to United
and get playing again.
"Alex Ferguson said: 'As long as you get back here and start playing for us
again, you will be fine'. I've been pleased with the way it has gone for
me." Largely ignoring the away fans' bile, Beckham has been outstanding,
delivering some sensational right-wing crosses while always putting in the
defensive work, a contrast to David Ginola, who faces him on Sunday.
To deny United the title, Ginola and Spurs must win or draw while Arsenal
beat Villa (or draw if United lose by two goals or more). The first leg of
the Treble would be completed and the abuse directed at Beckham will ring
ever more hollow.
"At times it has been hard, getting the reaction from the crowd. I knew I
was going to get a little bit of stick every time I went to an away ground.
I've had it each game this season but I'm playing for the biggest club in
the world so I expect that. I learn things as I go along and it's made me a
stronger person."
At Ewood Park on Wednesday, Beckham lost his composure, raging at officials
after he was knocked over by Callum Davidson, Blackburn's left-back. "In a
big game like last night, things do happen and you react," added Beckham.
"But I would not be able to change. That's the way I am. That's the way I
will always be."
Sheringham is a far more sanguine soul than Beckham, his pulse-rate rarely
racing. Yet a cloud has masked his season. Inactivity eats at every
footballer, especially a talented, thoughtful one like Sheringham, who has
just passed his 33rd birthday.
Sheringham is frustrated by having a front-row seat at the Theatre of
Dreams. He wants to be on the stage, playing a leading role in the chase
for the Treble, not sitting on the bench and accepting a medal simply for
being in the squad.
"It's all right saying I'll get three medals but I want to be involved,"
Sheringham said. "I want to play football. I can sit and watch when I'm 40.
It's great being with everyone else, crowding in to watch Manchester United
play, but I want to be playing myself. I get paid to play football. When I
am not playing, I am desperate to get out there and prove a point."
It was all so different when Sheringham was recruited from White Hart Lane
in July 1997. "When I came here, I didn't think I would be coming on
playing bit parts here and there. When I signed for £3.5 million, I
expected to be playing."
Sheringham understands why Yorke was bought. "It didn't work out last year;
for a club this size you change things to make them even better. That is
what the manager has done and things have gone very well this season so I
can't have any complaints."
The mention of regrets sends Sheringham into Edith Piaf mode. "No way, none
whatsoever, no chance. What would I have done at Tottenham for the last two
years? I would have played but I wouldn't have been involved in big games.
Manchester United is like no other club. I'm so glad I came here to
experience that."
His inactivity, some of it induced by injury, has tempered his hopes of
reclaiming his England place. "Whenever an England squad has come around
I've just been coming back from injury. I still live in hope of playing for
England again even though things aren't going quite as according to plan as
I would like here."
Sheringham is unikely to start against Spurs, although he would doubtless
relish the chance to score against them and, in all likelihood, end the
lingering Premiership ambitions of Arsenal, whose supporters regularly
malign him. Roy Keane may return. "The swelling on his ankle has largely
gone down," said Ferguson. "Roy would want to play if he was 70 per cent fit."
Spurs sound committed. "There's nobody who wants to win any game more than
I do, I even hate losing a friendly," said George Graham, the former
Arsenal manager (and former United player) now in charge of Spurs. "We will
be going to Old Trafford to try to win." Beckham and Sheringham will be
waiting.
Manchester United - The Legend - http://manunited.net
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: Manchester United Share Purchase - at meeting of "Shareholders United"
From: "Duncan Drasdo"
Anyone ( in Manchester on Sunday ) who is interested in buying shares in
United might be interested to know that share purchase application forms
will be available at the "Shareholders United" meeting. Neil Harding -
director of Wise Speke (United's Official Stockbroker) will be there to say
a few words etc. Shareholders United believes that all United supporters
should hold a real stake in their club and wants to create a collective
voice which will be listened to. This is the best way to secure the long
term future of our club.
The meeting takes place at 13:15 at The Beer Trading Company, 55 Mosley St,
Manchester and will finish with plenty of time to get down to Old Trafford.
To become a member of Shareholders United you need to be a United
shareholder - makes sense! Presumably you can join on the day.
Duncan
--
Duncan Drasdo
--
Independent Manchester United Supporters Association www.imusa.org
IMUSA discussion mailing list:
To subscribe, send a blank message to imusa-subscribe@egroups.com
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Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: Spurs game by PROF R SOUTHALL
It is just impossible not to say something ...like, for the first
time for many years, I will be gald when this season will be over. It
has been glorious, but my nerves are now totally shot to pieces. 3
games, 3 wins, the treble. 3 games, 3 loses, and a rotten summer and
a sunken feeling of disappointment in the stomach for the rest of
one's life when one thinks of 1999. I really think Sunday is the key.
Not for the tautological reason that we can't win the treble if we
don't win the league, but obviously for the confidence and self-faith
it will rekindle in the players. I think I am going to be even more
tense than for the Turin game. Foreboding is winning over hope at
the moment. This goddamn team plays to frustrate us, to take us
through the highs and lows of emotion. That's the romance, and the
fate of being a Red. You are never guaranteed anything, we are not an
Arsenal steamroller. Anyway, on the bright side, do we detect from
Fergie's words that he is keeping it quiet but that Keano is going to
make it for Sunday. So damned important that he does. Stam looks a
safe bet. And as for the renewed Cole debate: Fie on those who are
restarting the criticism. He will come through with a vital goal in
at least one of the next three games, and so will Yorke, who has
scored three in the last few games including the EC semi-final.
Presumably Sheringham (who is proving a very useful resource) and Ole
will be on the bench, and Butt or Scholes (if Keano plays). With May
on the bench if Ronnie and Stam are ok. Means that Jasper will have
to miss this one I think. Yet I am deeply suspicious of Spurs: the
focus will be on them, and Ginola, Campbell and Anderton can all play
a bit. But I remember saying when Campbell scored the equaliser
earlier in the year: "that could cost us the league". i desperately
hope I am wrong. meanwhile, let us hope the joker in the pack is
Villa. Everybody has written them off. And they have been awful, and
were atrocious against Charlton at the back. But we know they can
play well. Let us hope and pray that Gregory can give them a sense of
pride to dig in - and hope that Arsenal's nerves get to them. Come on
Dion, you have got a job to do. Villa are not much as a second line
of defence, but I am prepared to Gregory a postcard if he can pull
off a surprise.
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: What a season! (to be continued ...)
From: Steve Edge
This has been an amazing season! We are now in for the nerve-jangling
finale as we contest three "cup finals" in a row. Surely, at the start of
the season, we would have thought it impossible that things could end up
this way. When we lost - heavily - to Arsenal in the Charity Shield, had to
face a tricky qualifier against Lodz to get in to the Champions League, and
went 0-2 down at home to Leicester in our first league game things looked
decidedly dodgy.
But United recovered against Leicester to draw 2-2, we beat Lodz, we signed
Dwight Yorke, and the goals started to flow. We scored - and conceded -
stacks of goals in Europe. We stumbled through a difficult December
program, and then set the league, FA Cup, and Europe alight with some
breathtaking football. Eliminating Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal en route
to Wembley, and Inter and Juventus in the European Cup, was incredible.
The injuries have mounted up, the suspensions too. Dramatic games are
coming thick and fast. Referees and their assistants are driving us nuts.
But we are still in there. Three massive games to go.
Should we be thrilled about this? Of course we should! Should we be afraid
of what fate might have in store? Never! This is what it's all about. As
Yorkie said, every team in the world would love to be in this position.
Challenging for honours doesn't come easily. The players - and the fans -
have to give their all. Nothing less than 110% total commitment will do
now. No prisoners!
This season United have beaten just about every team we've played - at
least once. There are only three exceptions: Spurs, Bayern, and Barcelona.
We CAN beat two of them - and the 3rd team hosts the final game. On Sir
Matt's Birthday, too.
Come on you Reds!!!
Steve Edge
Vancouver Red
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: Reds flog another Video/Keano at Wembley/Norwegian Would?
Titbits from www.manutd.com. In an interview in the MEN last night
Keano stated that he has been told that ALL the squad named to UEFA
will get Champions League medals.
A TASTE OF ITALY
Wednesday, May 12, 1999 19:00
As the build-up to the Champions League Final
continues, Reds fans can now retrace the Italian leg of the road
to Barcelona. A new video, 'The Italian Job', captures the action
from United's momentous games against Inter Milan and
Juventus, and includes exclusive footage from behind the scenes
in Turin. It has a running time of two hours, so why not fetch in
the pasta and pizzas, and make a real night of it? We can't provide the food, but the videos
are on sale, priced £11, in the on-line Megastore.
****************************
KEANE TO TACKLE NEWCASTLE?
Wednesday, May 12, 1999 18:36
United have revealed the results of Roy Keane's
X-rays, and it's good news! The Irish hardman has
suffered nothing more serious than severe bruising to his
ankle. "This gives slight cause for optimism," says a
club spokesman, "but no one is making any guesses as to
when Roy will be able to come back." The midfielder is
still doubtful for the final League match against
Spurs on Sunday, but there are plenty of fingers
crossed for 22 May, when United face Newcastle
in the FA Cup Final. Roy has already been ruled
out of the Champions League Final through
suspension.
********************
CUP CLASH FOR RONNY AND OLE
Wednesday, May 12, 1999 11:10
With Henning Berg injured, just two of the Norwegian trio of
United players have been named in the latest national squad. Ole
Gunnar Solskjaer and Ronny Johnsen will link up with seven
other Premiership stars in Oslo on May 20, just two days before
the FA Cup final. The Norwegians will face Jamaica in
a friendly, so whether Ole and Ronny are allowed
to travel remains to be seen.
Paul Hinson (email p.l.hinson@ais.salford.ac.uk)
MUTV Masterfan Quiz Champion 1999
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: FERGIE DREAMING OF HOME FINALE
By David Anderson, PA Sport
Sheringham hoping for title vindication
We won't roll over vows Campbell
Alex Ferguson wants to realise a long-cherished ambition on Sunday and win
the title at Old Trafford.
When Ferguson arrived at Manchester United way back in November 1986 he had
two goals.
First, he wanted to win the championship and second, to do it in front of
the club's home fans.
Ferguson's four titles since 1993 have been clinched by the stumbles of
their rivals or at other grounds, but now on Sunday his team have the
chance to win the championship at Old Trafford.
United lead Arsenal by one point going into the final day and victory over
Tottenham would seal their fifth Premier League triumph in seven years.
Ferguson said: "I think the thing that I wanted most when I came down was
that I had to win the title.
"That was the albatross around my neck and the second thing was to clinch
it at Old Trafford.
"That's not an achievement which would send you up the Richter Scale in any
shape or form, but it's the realisation of it all in front of your own fans
in your stadium in one given game at the end of the season.
"That's the second thing I've most wanted to do - to win the title at Old
Trafford."
Skipper Roy Keane is battling to be fit for the grand finale to the league
season after he suffered an ankle injury in the 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on
Sunday.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder jogged round Old Trafford today with
United physio David Fevre and Ferguson claiming he was making progress.
"He's responding to treatment," said Ferguson. "The bruising has gone and
the swelling has come down greatly and there's just a little puffiness
around the ankle.
"He did some jogging and now that he's doing that we can see some real
progress.
"I would think he is in with a chance for Sunday. Whether he makes it or
not depends on if there is any reaction to what he's done and how he
responds to treatment.
"With him missing the Champions' Cup final, he's desperate to play in the
FA Cup final."
Jaap Stam is also receiving treatment after he came off at half-time during
the goalless draw at Blackburn complaining of a sore Achilles tendon.
The Dutchman said: "I've had some problems with my Achilles and we'll have
to wait and see how that settles down."
Ferguson is optimistic he will recover in time to face Tottenham.
"We're getting little strains, which you're always going to get at this
stage of the season," he said.
"That's why I've got to look at the bigger picture and that's why I took
Jaap Stam off to protect him for the bigger game coming up."
Ferguson fielded an unfamiliar central midfielder pairing of Nicky Butt and
Phil Neville against Rovers.
With Keane and Paul Scholes suspended for the Champions' Cup final, some
observers felt this might be the partnership to face Bayern Munich in
Barcelona on May 26.
However Ferguson claims he had not selected that team with the Germans in
mind.
"I never gave it a thought," he said. "I never picked that team with
Barcelona in mind.
"What I thought was that it was going to be like a cup tie against
Blackburn and I felt we needed some energy and aggression in central
midfield to withstand that part of it and then later on bring on Scholes
and possibly Sheringham.
"But I was not thinking about Barcelona - not a bit."
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: Ryan Giggs paid a glowing tribute to the crucial role played by David Beckham
BECKS IS AT HIS BEST - GIGGS
Ryan Giggs paid a glowing tribute to the crucial role played by David
Beckham in taking Manchester United to the brink of the Treble.
Giggs has been hugely impressed with the way that Beckham has dealt with
the taunts and abuse since his World Cup sending-off to produce a series of
dazzling performances for United.
"Becks has had to overcome a lot but he's handled it really well as you've
seen with some of his displays this season," declared the Welshman.
"He's been magnificent and he's probably had his best season ever."
Beckham has especially come to the fore over the past couple of months,
when Giggs has been struggling with injury.
But they are both almost certain to be included in the starting line-up
when United take on Tottenham on Sunday at Old Trafford in their bid to win
the Premiership as the first stage of a possible treble.
Beckham himself is desperate to ensure that United win trophies this season
as a way of paying back his team-mates, manager and the fans for the
support they have given him since his red card against Argentina.
"There are a lot of people we want to do it for, we know how much it means
to a lot of people," he declared.
"We have done well this season but we have not won anything yet. It's hard
to keep your feet on the ground when you're in two finals and have got a
massive game on Sunday but you can only take each game as it comes and
we're happy to do that."
The England midfielder added: "At the start of the season, a lot of people
were wondering how the season would go for me, whether I would crack or go
somewhere else like abroad. But all I wanted to do was to come back to
United and to play football and that's what the manager let do."
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: Times: Return of Keane Spurs United
IT IS an unfortunate coincidence, but there are some
roadworks going on outside Highbury this week and the men
wielding the pneumatic drills just happen to be Tottenham
Hotspur fans. "We're going to lose 20-0 at Old Trafford on
Sunday," they keep yelling in the general direction of the
marble halls, holding their sides with laughter. No matter
how much the staff inside try to block their ears, bolt the
windows or say that is just what they would expect from a
team as bad as Tottenham, the taunts are probing away at
their deepest fears.
The FA Carling Premiership champions know that United have
the edge now after their scrappy goalless draw with
Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night, that they have an
advantage of a single point going into the final games of
the season on Sunday. For Arsenal to have any chance of
retaining the title, they need a helping hand from their
North London rivals.
There are those who think that nerves will make United
freeze, that Tottenham will push them to the limit with
their new spirit of bloody-mindedness, epitomised by their
central midfield pairing of Tim Sherwood and Steffen
Freund.
The United players took part in a light training session
at Old Trafford yesterday morning and then convened inside
to take part in a heaving mass of press conferences. There
was, though, little indication that the pressure was
getting to them. They were buoyed by the sight of Roy
Keane, their captain, emerging on to the pitch at the end
of the session to do a little light jogging with the club
physio - the first exercise he has managed since he
injured an ankle at Middlesbrough last Saturday.
Alex Ferguson, the United manager, acknowledged later that
it would give his side a crucial lift if they could get
Keane fit. "Hopefully, he will be kicking the ball by
Saturday," Ferguson said. "Then we will know if he has a
chance for Sunday."
The air of optimism, in fact, the aura of success that
surrounds the club at the moment as they chase honours on
three fronts, was so consuming that it elicited the first
hints of envy from one of those banished to the periphery.
"I want to be involved," Teddy Sheringham, the forward who
has been eclipsed by Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, said.
"It is all right saying I will get three medals, but I
want to be involved. I want to play football. I can sit
and watch when I am 40.
"Of course I am frustrated. That is not me putting
pressure on anybody, that is just my situation and it is
the same for everyone else in the squad. We are all
top-quality players and we want to play. When you are not
in the team, you are desperate to get out there and prove a
point.
"When I came here, I did not expect to be coming on and
playing bit parts here and there. When you sign for 3.5
million, you expect to be playing. But I have no regrets,
none whatsoever, no chance. This is like no other club and
it has been great to be involved. My thoughts about my
future change from week to week. When you're playing,
you're a happy, contented man. I can only look at things
when they come up. Until that situation arises, it's just
speculation."
Across the room, David Beckham sat holding court. He has
been the epitome of professionalism this season, one of the
biggest influences in United's burgeoning success story,
even though, in the aftermath of the World Cup, there were
many predicting his imminent downfall.
"I think at the start of the season, a lot of people were
wondering how it would go for me and whether I would crack
or whether I would go abroad," Beckham said. "All I wanted
to do was come back to United and get playing again.
"The manager said 'as long as you get back here and play
then you will be fine'. I suppose, at times, it has been
hard getting stick from the crowd, but the lads have been
brilliant to me. I couldn't have asked for any more.
"I knew I was going to get a lot of attention this season
and you learn things as you go along, and it has made me a
stronger person."
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
Subject: European Cup Final Referee (Teamtalk)
Ref obstacle for Reds
United will not only have to overcome the loss of the
suspended Roy Keane and Paul Scholes in the European
Cup final - they will also have to beat a refereeing
hoodoo.
Manual Diaz of Spain is the favourite to be named as
the referee for the big game against Bayern Munich in
Barcelona later this month, and he has a daunting
record of controlling British teams.
In eight years at the top, Vega has never overseen a
win by England or indeed a British club side - a run of
eight matches.
Included in this run is the 1-1 draw with Juventus in
the first leg of this season's Champions League, and
the 0-0 draw in Monaco in last season's quarter final.
Diaz also has a big reputation for refereeing by the
book, and has already dismissed an incredible 44
players.
United will know for certain whether Diaz is in charge
or not when the names of the officials will be
officially released four days before the match.
Peter's final 3 RED matches can earn UNITED 3 Championships!
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If ever they are playing in your town
You must get to that football ground
Take a lesson come to see
Football taught by Matt Busby
Manchester, Manchester United
A bunch of bouncing Busby Babes
They deserve to be knighted
Barry
J. Leeming Digest Prgram
by 
William
McArthur Canada
