www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Thu May 20 10:11:54 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. Times) More about Steve McClaren
2. May 1999 FA CUP FINAL COUNTDOWN
3. FA CUP SPECIAL by 365
4. The crest from: Billy Read
5. Neville P. grabs his loyalty bonus
6. Supersub Solskjaer still patient
7. The truth? on Keane
8. SCHOLES DELIVERS SHEARER WARNING
9. UNITED TELL FERGIE: NO SUMMER SPENDING SPREE
10. United's FA Cup History
11. Sunday in New York by murphygallen@webtv.net (Paul Gallen)
12. Cars, Houses and stufff...
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
*** CHAMPIONS *** CHAMPIONS *** CHAMPIONS ***
ONE Trophy - 2 to go!
www.red11.org CHAMPIONSHIP Sound Archive x 5 ENJOY!!!!
SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL Mp3 "REDS Going to Barcelona" 3megs hifi-sound
Download here: http://www.red11.org/mufc/sound/mp3/99/Barcelona.mp3
Cheers barry
"Here comes the FAC"
RED Barry
MUFC New Single
For those in the UK, The 1999 Manchester United Football
Squad has released a new single.
It's called Lift It High (Its all about belief).
Daily RED Trivia Thurs 20th May 1999:
20/5/1963:
Dennis Walker made his United debut against Nottingham Forest, becoming
the first black player to appear in the first team. It was to be the forwards only
appearance before he moved on to York City in April 1964.
20/5/1978:
Uniteds Steve Coppell scores for England as they beat Scotland 1-0
at Hampden Park.
20/5/1995:
United lose the FA Cup Final 0-1 to Everton at Wembley watched by 79,592.
Team was: Schmeichel, G.Neville, Irwin, Bruce (Giggs), Keane, Pallister, Butt,
Ince, McClair, Hughes, Sharpe (Scholes).
*********************
Barry Daily Comment:
**** LATEST BARCE NEWS ****
How to be recognised by list members in a crowd THE SIGN IS A HANDKERCHIEF
tied with 4 knots on your head! If you feel like it call out "GUMBI!" [NOT a joke]
MORE..............
MUSCS SA Secretary Ethel Sleith called from SA today
SHE WILL BE IN BARCE! She flies in on Monday afternoon IBERIA IB650 17.15pm
and will be joining us all!!!!
GOOD LUCK REDS WHATEVER HAPPENS!
Barry
Cheers & Beers from
http://www.red11.org
2 days Newcastle FAC
6 days Bayern Munich CL Final
I will be leaving Denmark for Barce on SAT after the cup final
back first one week later
RED sky at night BARCE' delight
More fun here: http://www.red11.org/mufc/barcedance.htm
Enjoy the next 2 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
Final Games:
May
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/
*** FINAL PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 16/05/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 38 14 4 1 45 18 8 9 2 35 19 43 79
2 Arsenal 38 14 5 0 34 5 8 7 4 25 12 42 78
3 Chelsea 38 12 6 1 29 13 8 9 2 28 17 27 75
4 Leeds United 38 12 5 2 32 9 6 8 5 30 25 28 67
5 West Ham United 38 11 3 5 32 26 5 6 8 14 27 -7 57
6 Aston Villa 38 10 3 6 33 28 5 7 7 18 18 5 55
7 Liverpool 38 10 5 4 44 24 5 4 10 24 25 19 54
8 Derby County 38 8 7 4 22 19 5 6 8 18 26 -5 52
9 Middlesbrough 38 7 9 3 25 18 5 6 8 23 36 -6 51
10 Leicester City 38 7 6 6 25 25 5 7 7 15 21 -6 49
11 Tottenham Hotspur 38 7 7 5 28 26 4 7 8 19 24 -3 47
12 Sheffield Wednesday 38 7 5 7 20 15 6 2 11 21 27 -1 46
13 Newcastle United 38 7 6 6 26 25 4 7 8 22 29 -6 46
14 Everton 38 6 8 5 22 12 5 2 12 20 35 -5 43
15 Coventry City 38 8 6 5 26 21 3 3 13 13 30 -12 42
16 Wimbledon 38 7 7 5 22 21 3 5 11 18 42 -23 42
17 Southampton 38 9 4 6 29 26 2 4 13 8 38 -27 41
18 Charlton Athletic 38 4 7 8 20 20 4 5 10 21 36 -15 36
19 Blackburn Rovers 38 6 5 8 21 24 1 9 9 17 28 -14 35
20 Nottingham Forest 38 3 7 9 18 31 4 2 13 17 38 -34 30
*** 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
16/05/99 Tottenham Hotspur Home W 2-1 1 55,189
*** TEAM STATISTICS - MANCHESTER UNITED - 1998/9
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)
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: (Times) More about Steve McClaren
Matt Dickinson on the Old Trafford coach prepared to try fresh ideas
Steve who? It might have been an easy gag for the
headline writers, but there was no scoffing in football
circles when Steve McLaren packed his coaching manuals
and headed to Manchester United. Alex Ferguson, as the
rest of the FA Carling Premiership reluctantly
acknowledged, had pulled another ace from the pack.
They knew that, in McLaren, United had lured a man who
would not just be carrying a bag of balls around The Cliff.
"Dazzling," was how one coaching rival described a
seminar by the then Derby County assistant manager that
cemented McLaren's reputation as the most innovative
trainer in the English game.
Yet perhaps not even United were aware that, for their
money, they would be buying in the wisdom of Pat Riley,
the legendary coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the
motivational skills of Jimmy Johnson, of Dallas Cowboys'
fame, and the much-borrowed soundbites of Vince
Lombardi, the creator of a Green Bay Packers' dynasty
and perhaps the most renowned sports psychologist of
them all. "Winning isn't everything, it is the only thing," was
one of Lombardi's favourite aphorisms - and you can be
sure that it is one of McLaren's favourites as well.
By his own admission a failure as a player, McLaren
decided that Lombardi and others could teach him to be a
brilliant coach instead. What Ferguson learnt in the
shipyards of Govan about motivation, he would cull from
a library. "I studied any successful team, because the
values are the same worldwide," McLaren said, "but my
favourites are the American coaches. There are lots of
guys who can put on sessions, but the good ones get
inside the players' heads.
"Take someone like Phil Jackson at the Chicago Bulls. In
Michael Jordan, he is having to handle a guy on $50
million a year and I wanted to know how you do that.
You have to find out what gets a player up in the morning,
why he puts up with the intrusion into his private life,
because it's not money.
"It is all about the work ethic and that is the great thing
about coming to Old Trafford. Instead of reading it in a
book, I am seeing those values in action. At some clubs,
you get players who think they have made it. Not here.
The manager and other players don't stand for that."
At Pride Park, McLaren persuaded a sceptical club to
spend ?250,000 on oscillating massage chairs and he has
spent ?10,000 of United's funds on a one-match
experiment with six cameras and a bank of computers that
can track every players' movement down to a scratch or
sneeze.
First used in the match at home to Juventus, the plethora
of findings told McLaren that David Beckham had
covered 14.1 kilometres. "We can track how far they run,
how much possession each player has, everything,"
McLaren said. "The game is moving on."
Such is Ferguson's faith in McLaren's techniques that,
after only a few months in the job, he has allowed his
assistant more control over sessions than Brian Kidd ever
had - and do not be surprised if the Yorkshireman
emerges as a front-runner in 2002 if Ferguson fulfils his
promise to retire.
"A lot of people could say: 'Where have you been, what
have you done?' " McLaren said, "but that is so
narrow-minded it does not even merit an answer. All the
top people have been in the trenches and not all of them
have been great players. The gaffer here is a perfect
example. He worked his way up from St Mirren or
wherever.
"Whether you work in a factory or at United, experience
of the shop-floor is invaluable. It gives you humility and
that is the greatest gift that all the great people possess. I
don't know what is going to happen here in three days,
never mind three years, but I would love to be a manager
one day."
With a championship in his first four months and possibly
an FA Cup and European Cup to follow, McLaren has
not made a bad start.
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: 20 May 1999 FA CUP FINAL COUNTDOWN
Newcastle Keeper Rates United Counterpart As Best-Ever,Shearer Highlights Yorke Danger
HARPER'S HERO WORSHIP FOR THE GREAT DANE
Peter Schmeichel could come face to face with one of his biggest
fans when he walks out for the FA Cup Final at Wembley on
Saturday. Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper has made a late bid
for a place in the starting 11 after being given a gilt-edged
opportunity by manager Ruud Gullit. And the 24-year-old admits
that the chance to play against the man he regards as the best in
the business in the season's showpiece would be a dream come
true.
''He's the best goalkeeper ever,'' claimed Harper. ''I wouldn't want to
say anything against the likes of Peter Shilton or Gordon Banks and
people like that, but the way the game has changed I don't think
many people would dispute that he's the best goalkeeper there's
ever been. I try to learn from everybody, I'm sure every goalkeeper
does. I've been fortunate enough to work with some good
goalkeepers like Pavel Srnicek, Shaka Hislop and Shay Given and you
try to pick bits up from all of them and learn from them. People say
Schmeichel is a little bit unorthodox, but you try to take elements
of that into your own game. Watching somebody like him every
week, you couldn't help but learn from him.''
Walking up the famous tunnel alongside the great Dane would cap a
remarkable year for Harper, who has climbed from fourth- to
first-choice at St James' Park within 12 months. Behind Given, Hislop
and Srnicek in the pecking order last season, he went out on loan
to first Hartlepool and then Huddersfield in a bid to get experience.
His performances at both clubs led then 'Pool boss Mick Tait and
Town counterpart Peter Jackson to enquire about a permanent
move. But with the impending departures of Hislop and Srnicek on
free transfers, Harper sensed a chance to progress at the club he
joined as an 18-year-old in the summer of 1993. The arrival of
former Sunderland keeper Lionel Perez, however, seemed to have
scuppered his hopes of pushing Given for a first-team-spot.
But it took Gullit only a matter of weeks after replacing Kenny
Dalglish to settle on Harper as number two - and better was to
come. The locally-born keeper made his Premiership debut as a
substitute for the injured Given in the 3-1 victory over Wimbledon
on 28 November and won his first starting assignment in the derby
trip to Middlesbrough a fortnight later.
He came off the bench once again as the Magpies fought back to
beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round after Given was sent
off for handling outside his area, and stood in at Charlton as the
Irishman served his mandatory ban. But his return for the draw at
Sheffield Wednesday on 21 April marked the start of a run of four
matches out of five to end the league season.
Gullit made a point of blooding some of his younger players during
the closing games and they are unlikely to figure at Wembley - but
it seems unthinkable that the Dutchman would reinstate Given for
the final when it would be his first club game in almost a month.
''It's been nice. It's been a long wait over the years but it's been
worth the wait,'' said Harper, who last week signed a new
three-year contract. ''I feel a little bit sorry for Shay. He's a friend
of mine but you've got to be professional with these things and try
to take your opportunity when it comes. When you're in the
first-team squad you've always got to prepare as if you're going to
play. You can get on as has happened to me this season.
''It's a bonus to be in the first team so you've just got to get
yourself ready. I've been lucky really, it's happened to me twice.
Some teams, the reserve goalkeeper won't have got on all season.
I've been fortunate enough to get on twice. You never know, if I'm
number two next season I might not get on at all. Any time is a
good time to get into the first team, but with the FA Cup Final
coming up I suppose it is a good time.''
It has been a feature of the games Harper has played that he has
had little to do for the bulk of the 90 minutes before having to pull
off important late saves. He said: ''I'll settle for that on Saturday.
That's the thing about goalkeeping. You never know. Sometimes it's
like the Alamo and other times there's nothing to do. It's about
being focused and concentrating on the job. I just try to be neat
and tidy with my goalkeeping and do everything properly.
''I don't think there's anything flash about my goalkeeping, but
that's the strong point of the best goalkeepers. People like David
Seaman and Nigel Martyn because you hardly notice them.
Especially during last season, I improved, and this season I think
I've improved a lot in my all-round game, but I've still got a long
way to go.''
Harper was born and bred in an area of County Durham populated
by Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough fans, but despite the
fierce rivalries he maintains that he has suffered no adverse
reaction to his rise to prominence.
''There's a lot of my friends and family are Newcastle fans and some
Sunderland fans,'' he said. ''But everybody likes to see me in the
team and it's nice the way things are going. Where I live is probably
more Sunderland than Newcastle, but I get on well with all the
Sunderland fans. They don't bother me and I've been to see
Sunderland a few times.''
SHEARER PINPOINTS YORKE AS MAIN THREAT
Alan Shearer has warned his Newcastle teammates they must stop
Dwight Yorke if they are to have any chance of lifting the FA Cup.
Yorke has taken Manchester United to the brink of an
unprecedented Treble with his goalscoring exploits this season
following his £12.6m move from Aston Villa. Alex Ferguson's men
completed part one of the trilogy on Sunday when they regained
the Premiership title and now only Newcastle stand in the way of
their third Double in six years.
Trinidad and Tobago international Yorke has bagged 29 goals this
season to top the Premiership scoring charts, with his eight goals in
European competition helping the Old Trafford outfit reach the final
of the European Cup. Shearer was so impressed by Yorke's
performances this season that he voted for his fellow striker in the
PFA Player of the Year award. Yorke was pipped by Tottenham's
David Ginola, who also picked up the Football Writers' Association
honour, but the England captain is in doubt as to his rival's ability.
"He's a tremendous player," he said. "He's not only a goalscorer,
he's a team player, he's great for other people, he works his socks
off for the side. I admire him. I think he's linked up very, very well
with everyone. Not just with Andy Cole, but with everyone there.
He's a good player, he'll be a threat, there's no doubt about that."
After landing the Premiership trophy, Manchester United are now in
the hunt for the second part of the Treble when they take on
Newcastle United in the FA Cup Final at Wembley this Saturday.
SCHOLES WARY OF ENGLAND TEAMMATE
Alan Shearer could provide the biggest threat yet to Manchester
United's Treble bid, according to Paul Scholes. Scholes returns to
Wembley for the first time since his England hat-trick against Poland
this weekend with a warning to his teammates not to underestimate
the Newcastle striker. He knows that the England captain, who
turned down the chance to move to Old Trafford because of his
desire to return to his North-East roots when he left Blackburn in
1996, will pose the biggest danger at Wembley.
"Everyone knows what a great player he is," he said. "People write
him off sometimes but that's a bit of a joke really given the player
he is and the amount of goals he's scored. I think he'll be the
biggest threat."
Saturday's game against Newcastle is Scholes' last match of the
season - a yellow card in the semi-final, second leg against
Juventus has ruled him out of Wednesday's European showdown
with Bayern Munich. However, the midfielder has managed to come
to terms with missing out on the biggest game in the club's recent
history. "It's very disappointing and I don't think it was a booking so
that made it a bit worse but there's nothing I can do about it so
I've got to live with it," he said.
Scholes will be a definite starter at Wembley at the centre of the
United midfield alongside Roy Keane, who also misses out in the Nou
Camp through suspension. He is confident about United's chances of
completing the second stage of a prospective Treble, especially
after the huge confidence boost of winning the title last Sunday.
"It has taken a little bit of pressure off us as we've definitely won
something. Now we can just look forward to these two games and
hope to win them as well," explained Scholes.
TREBLE WOULD BE SO SWEET FOR PHIL NEVILLE
Having grown up suffering countless taunts as virtually the only
Manchester United fan in a school packed with Liverpool supporters,
Phil Neville is now relishing the prospect of the Treble.
As a youngster, he never quite believed his father's conviction that
United's time would eventually come as they laboured along through
the mid-1980s firmly in the shadow of their Merseyside rivals.
However, over the course of the next week, Neville finally has the
chance to achieve his ultimate aim - going down in history as part
of the most successful United team of all time.
For while the Premiership seems littered with professionals with little
deep-rooted affinity for their club beyond the size of their wage
packet, United's youth system has produced a string of players who
grew up supporting the team. Their desire for success is all the
stronger for it and after talks with Alex Ferguson three months ago
about the frustrations of being a utility player, Neville now stands
on the brink of a crucial role in United's two remaining dates with
destiny.
In Saturday's FA Cup Final, he is assured of his place at left-back
because of the suspension which will keep out Denis Irwin. Then,
ahead of the European Cup Final, he will be competing with Ronny
Johnsen, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs for the right to partner
Nicky Butt in central midfield in the absence of Roy Keane and Paul
Scholes. It all marks a remarkable transformation in the fortunes of
the younger Neville brother after the heartbreak of missing out on
the World Cup last summer.
''People say there's a lot of pressure but all I feel is excitement as
we're two games away from going down in history,'' he revealed.
''Every day when you wake up, you think: 'Dear me'. We probably
won't even realise until the end of the season what we've actually
achieved as it's all coming so thick and fast.''
He added: ''When I went to school, Liverpool were winning
everything. When you're in the playground and there are 20 kids
who are Liverpool fans and you're the only United fan, it's not a nice
feeling at all. My dad always used to say United's turn would come
and I never used to think it would. Now everything has turned
around, it's brilliant and that's what makes it all the more sweet
these days.''
The lot of a supposedly versatile player is not always an easy one.
While they make perfect substitutes, it is sometimes hard to nail
down a regular place in the side.
''I spoke to the boss about it three months ago. I was quite worried
about versatile players never seeming to get a run in the team,
they always seemed to be in and out,'' admitted the 22-year-old.
''But he said they do tend to play a lot of games in a season and
I've certainly had my fair whack of games this season.''
Irwin's absence from the FA Cup Final after his red card at Liverpool
has duly given Neville his chance at Wembley and Ferguson
described him as ''the honest soldier all season, filling in when we
need him to''.
The United boss added: ''He's come through a lot - the
disappointment of not going to the World Cup and then playing for
his country but being dropped for the next game. It's been a
challenge to overcome those disappointments but he's been
absolutely outstanding over the past few weeks.''
Neville's form has indeed been improving consistently throughout
1999 and a call-up to Kevin Keegan's first squad followed by a place
in the England team which played in Hungary have boosted his
morale immeasurably.
''Since Christmas, I think I've played better and better. Before that
it was quite poor really but the boss has been brilliant, he's stuck by
me and knew I'd come good,'' explained the defender. ''Kevin Keegan
picked me in his first squad and that gave me such a boost. When
somebody shows that amount of belief in you, you have to repay
that by playing well for him.''
Ferguson's similar degree of faith in him could also extend past
Wembley to the European Cup Final and Neville believes that
Bayern's physical approach in central midfield may count in his
favour if Johnsen is retained at centre-back.
''Henning Berg looks like he isn't going to be fit so, although I always
thought he'd put Ronny into midfield, he has been brilliant at
centre-back and it'll be difficult for the manager to split up that
partnership,'' he explained. ''So I've just got to make sure I'm ready
for what would be the biggest game of my career and hopefully my
performance against Blackburn, when I was in central midfield, and
the way I'm playing in training will give the manager a problem. I
feel comfortable wherever I play - full-back, central defence,
central midfield - and I also feel fresh so probably, in the last ten
minutes of a game, I might just be able to run that extra yard.
Munich try to out-physical you rather than perhaps doing it through
their football. They try to over-power you and I think we need
strong men in there, with a strong spine to the side.''
Neville will therefore carry on dreaming of a place in the starting
line-up at both Wembley and the Nou Camp - as well as the history
books.
''You see pictures of Bobby Charlton lifting the European Cup in
1968 and you think: 'Dear me, they're still remembered to this day
as being one of the greatest United sides','' he declared. ''All you
really want is to be remembered in years to come so when your
children are older, they can say 'my dad played in a European Cup
final'.''
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: FA CUP SPECIAL by 365
Alex Ferguson may harbour plans of playing his stiffs and saving the 'real' Manchester
United for the European Champions League Final, but, deep down, every member of his
squad will be hurt if they're left out of the side. Even a club that's been to half the
finals this decade can never guarantee that this won't be their last...
And it's that unspoken fear (that a player or a club may not get another chance) which
is, I believe, one of the most fascinating aspects of this year's final, the hidden
variable which makes what ought to be a cakewalk for the favourites actually quite a
tough match to call. Don't get me wrong; in the normal course of events I'd be saying
that, even four days before their biggest match for 30 years, Manchester United could
put out any 11 of their players and expect to beat a Newcastle side that still looks
more like a building site than a finished edifice. But that doesn't account for the
Hurt Factor.
The Magpies were sick as parrots last season when Arsenal, playing in second
gear, urinated all over them. They felt the awful pain of defeat in the final and, like
90% of beaten finalists, they vowed that they would be back next year to put things
right. I say "90%" because there are those, like Fulham in 1975, Brighton in '83 and
Watford in '84, who pretty much knew that their trip to Wembley truly was a one-off.
But for the rest, you know the scene - shattered, white-faced players, fighting
back the tears and telling the pitch-side interviewer that they'll "be back next year".
And the millions of us, watching on TV, saying "yeah, sure you will, sunshine".
Yet the voodoo seems to work. There does seem to be motivation to
be drawn from the Hurt Factor, and the white-faced ones do,
reasonably often, return to the scene of the darkest hour and a half
of their lives. This is the 118th FA Cup competition. On no less than
20 previous occasions, the losing finalists have pulled themselves up
to their full height the following January and, using the scar tissue
from the previous May as inspiration, forced themselves all the way
back down the long road to Wembley.
And, for Newcastle fans, here's the ray of hope. Of those 20
second-chancers, two thirds have got it right second time around.
Oxford University in 1874, Clapham Rovers in 1880, Old Etonians in
1882, West Bromwich Albion in 1888, Sheffield United in 1902,
Manchester City in 1934, Preston in 1938, Charlton in 1948, Man City
again in 1956, Manchester United in 1977, Arsenal in 1979, Liverpool
in 1989 and Man United again in 1995; all have drawn on the
harrowing experience of twelve months before to help win the FA
Cup.
Only Old Etonians (1876), Queens Park Glasgow (1884), West Brom
(1887), Derby (1899), Newcastle (1906), Manchester United (1958)
and Everton (1986) have put themselves and their fans through the
agony of FA Cup Final failure in successive years. Or, to put it
another, even more Magpies-friendly, way; take out the moustache
and long shorts era and, of the last ten teams to get a second
chance, only two have loused it up.
Make no mistake. On Saturday, Ruud Gullit (and, to an even greater
extent, that ferocious competitor Alan Shearer) will be using the
agonising ghost of last year's humiliation to drive Newcastle on. They
will threaten each other with the spectre of another trudge round
the pitch perimeter with just a loser's medal and a half-baked chorus
of "you'll never walk alone" for company. They will say that they
have to do it for the fans. They will allow the pain of last May to
stiffen their sinew and temper their souls for the battle ahead.
And Manchester United will still win. The Hurt Factor can only do so
much.
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: The crest from: Billy Read
There's an explanation from Fartin Martin himself on the current United We
Stand website..... it's a good site and an interesting interview......
(extract)
Why did the United board see fit to drop the words 'football club' from the
club badge?
It's a compliment to us because nobody thinks of Manchester United as
anything but a football club. If you look at the strength of the the badge
now, with the brighter red, it's a much bigger and bolder statement. Do
Manchester United badge need the words football club? We don't believe they
do because worldwide everybody knows what Manchester United is.
If we were at Manchester City then that might have been important because
people will have been saying, 'what is Manchester City? Is it the city of
Manchester, is it the council?' Nobody can tell me that anyone can ask,
'What is Manchester United' unless they are an American living out in rural
Wyoming or somewhere.
People talk about the move being about the reinforcing the brand so why lose
those two words which are the heart and soul of Manchester United? Without
the football club we are nothing. It's almost symbolic that in today's
commercially minded world, these two words have been removed.
There's no doubt about it, when you put the new badge on a commercial
product it looks much bolder and that does come into it. We made the
decision because we looked around the ground and saw something like twelve
different ways that Manchester United was portrayed. There was no uniformity
and we streamlined it right the way down. It's an evolution. Manchester
United are only a football club.
For the full article go to http://www.manchester.com/uws/ it's worth a read.
Billy, 1 down 2 to go.......
Balti Devil
Billy.Read@Halliburton.com
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: Neville P. grabs his loyalty bonus
By Graham Hunter
Thursday, May 20, 1999
If Phil Neville wasn't a Manchester United player, he would have more right to
turn up at Wembley clutching a ticket and wearing a red and white scarf than
many of the Johnny-come-latelys who will do so on Saturday.
The jibe constantly aimed at United's newest fans is that they are as
likely to
come from London or Littlehampton as they are to have ever visited Lancashire.
Let alone remember the lean days when Liverpool seemed to be the only team
that counted.
But Neville, like his brother Gary, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, grew up
within
a healthy bike ride of Old Trafford and was a United fan by birthright.
His generation of supporters were not simply dedicated followers of football
fashion. Indeed, they found themselves swimming against the tide.
'When I was at school, Liverpool were just winning everything so it was not a
particularly pleasant time for me,' he recalls. 'When you are in the
playground
surrounded by 20 other kids all of whom are Liverpool fans and you are the
only
United supporter, it is not a nice feeling.
'At the time my Dad always used to promise me: "United's turn will come
around", but I never believed it would. Back then, Liverpool were so dominant
that it was our biggest game of the season if we beat them. I guess that is
what
is making all this even sweeter now. Everything has reversed from when I was
young and now it is our turn. It is brilliant.'
Neville, who will take his place at Wembley courtesy of Denis Irwin's
suspension, added: 'People keep saying that there must be a lot of pressure on
us but all I feel is excitement. Now we are two big games away from going
down in history, I just wake up every morning and think how much I love doing
this.'
How times have changed. Liverpool were the last English side to appear in a
European Cup Final, 15 years ago, but their slide has been as dramatic as it
has been relentless.
With the decade which has brought ascendancy for United have come
footballers who are nothing more than hired guns renting out their loyalty
to the
highest bidder.
As such, Neville is a throwback to those Anfield foot- soldiers of the
1970s and
early 1980s. He would walk over hot coals for his club and is willing to
accept
an appearance ratio which would rankle with other players of his calibre.
In fact, the discipline, ability and, not least, the passion which
life-long United
supporters like Butt, Scholes the Nevilles and David Beckham bring to the
squad are deeply valued by manager Alex Ferguson.
With his customary frankness, Neville, at 22 two years younger than his
brother, said: 'I spoke to the boss about three months ago because I was quite
worried about how versatile players never seem to get a run in the team.
'The manager reassured me about how many games I would play and, to be
fair, I have made a contribution this season.'
That contribution, which will become 30 matches on Saturday, followed the
most searing and unexpected disappointment in his football life.
Sunday, May 31, 1998, when Glenn Hoddle told him he would not go to the
World Cup, was devastating to Neville and corroded his early-season form.
'Pre-Christmas, my form was quite poor,' he concedes. 'I probably wasn't
prepared for what happened to me before the World Cup and although I told
myself it hadn't affected my confidence, it had. But the boss was brilliant
with
me. He stuck with it and kept playing me as if he just knew that I would come
good and since then my form, like my confidence, has just got better and
better.'
Indeed Neville's uncluttered, combative style has inspired loyalty elsewhere,
too. As soon as Kevin Keegan was given the authority to pick the England
team, Neville's name was one of the first-half dozen he wrote down.
Neville said: 'I thought it was just unbelievable when Kevin Keegan came in
and
immediately picked me for England even though I was not playing week in,
week out for United.
'It seemed as if he had so much belief in me that he simply didn't care what
was happening with me at my club. He was just going to pick me. When
somebody shows that much belief in you, then you have to repay it.'
Neville will play left back on Saturday, but if he performs well he knows
that the
reward could be even more than an FA Cup winner's medal to signify another
domestic double for Manchester United.
Because Roy Keane and Scholes will miss the Champions League Final
against Bayern Munich in Barcelona next Wednesday through suspension, and
Henning Berg's injury means Ronny Johnsen should play in defence, there are
two central midfield places up for grabs.
This being United, there are no shortage of candidates. On the daring side,
Alex
Ferguson could use Beckham or Ryan Giggs; being conservative, he could pair
Neville with Nicky Butt.
Privately, Neville dares to dream. Publicly, he toes the party line. He
says: 'We
faced the prospect of winning three trophies and if you ask any player, he
would
say that he doesn't care who plays so long as we win all three.
'All I am trying to do is give the manager a problem to drop me because of the
way I train and then play against Newcastle.
'Any player who pulls out of a tackle on Saturday because he is trying to save
himself for the Munich game won't play on Wednesday anyway because the
manager won't pick him.
'Meanwhile, I will make sure I am ready for what would be the biggest game of
my career - just in case.'
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: Supersub Solskjaer still patient
By Graham Hunter
Thursday, May 20, 1999
Thanks to Ryan Giggs' supreme goal against Arsenal, the contribution of Ole
Gunnar Solskjaer to Manchester United's place in the FA Cup Final has been
largely forgotten.
But without the little Norwegian's outstanding opportunism against
Liverpool at Old Trafford, United would possibly never have made it to Wembley.
After a titanic match the score was 1-1 thanks to Dwight Yorke's equaliser
only seconds before but, with lightning feet and a subtle change of direction,
Solskjaer brought the house down with his extra-time winner.
The fact that Solskjaer has started only seven games since that game in
January and been overshadowed by numerous other match-winning
performances sums up his luck at Old Trafford. Although he turned down a
lucrative move to Tottenham last season and keeps on declaring his devotion to
United, Solskjaer remains under the closest scrutiny by every manager in the
top half of the Premiership.
If United sign another striker in the summer then it is inevitable that
they will receive offers for the man who has scored 17 times this season - more than
Dennis Bergkamp, Gianfranco Zola and Dion Dublin. Perhaps this time
Solskjaer's determination to stay might waver.
'I'm determined to see through what is a long contract with United,' he said
yesterday. 'This is where I want to be despite the problems. But right now it
seems that I'm fourth choice although I do not feel like that. 'Sitting on the
bench all season has been awful but I still feel like a champion because I
have done my part in winning the League.
'In fact, I feel there is a good chance of me playing in the FA Cup Final.'
Teddy Sheringham will undoubtedly share that sentiment and it is perhaps his
elevation to first choice 'reserve' which must have concerned Solskjaer more
than anything.
Sheringham has suddenly reappeared on the scene in the last month, starting in
five of the last nine games. But, at 33, the England striker has less time
on his side than Solskjaer and now that he has, at last, won his medal with the
possibility of more to follow it seems probable that Sheringham might look for
the last big move of his career.
If so, then the likelihood of Solskjaer seeing out the remaining five years
of his contract would increase because the extended group phases in next season's
Champions League mean that still larger squads will be vital for any team.
Solskjaer also knows that his Norwegian international coach Nils Semb is
anxious about the number of first team games he plays but, like many of
Europe's most highly-paid professionals, is keen to preserve his status with a
top club even if it means putting his international career in jeopardy.
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: The truth? on Keane
Personal comment
Today it emerges that these 'innocent' ladies followed the United players
from another bar and were pestering them for drinks. When refused, one of
them threw a glass at Keano, hitting him in the face, causing a cut below
the eye. They were then chucked out of the bar by the bouncers at which
point they rang Police to make a claim of assault and posed for pictures for
'The Sun' outside the bar, before selling their story. This was before
police even arrived and Keano was taken away for questioning. It was then
advised to let him sleep before he was questioned and so he spent the night
in the cell. After questioning he was released, surprise surprise, whilst
further inquiries are made!!!!
Apparantly, these so called ladies work in a bar close bar which I'm sure
they'll continue to work at now that every red in Manchester knows where to
find them!
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: SCHOLES DELIVERS SHEARER WARNING
Alan Shearer could provide the biggest threat yet to Manchester United's
Treble bid according to Paul Scholes.
Scholes returns to Wembley for the first time since his England hat-trick
against Poland for the FA Cup final this weekend with a warning to his United
team-mates not to underestimate the Newcastle striker.
He knows that the England captain, who turned down the chance to move to Old
Trafford because of his desire to return to his North-East roots when he left
Blackburn, will pose the biggest danger at Wembley.
Scholes declared: "Everyone knows what a great player he is. People write
him off sometimes but that's a bit of a joke really given the player he is and the
amount of goals he's scored. I think he'll be the biggest threat."
The game against Newcastle is Scholes' last match of the season after a yellow
card against Juventus ruled him out of the Champions' Cup final against
Bayern Munich next week.
However, the midfielder has managed to come to terms with missing out on the
biggest game in the club's recent history.
"It's very disappointing and I don't think
it was a booking so that made it a bit worse but there's nothing I can do
about it so I've got to live with it," he said.
Scholes will be a definite starter at
Wembley at the centre of the United midfield alongside Roy Keane, who also
misses out in the Nou Camp through suspension.
He is confident about United's chances of completing the second stage of a
prospective Treble, especially after the huge confidence boost of winning
the title last Sunday.
"It has taken a little bit of pressure off us as we've definitely won
something. Now we can just look forward to these two games and hope to win them as well,"
explained Scholes.
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: UNITED TELL FERGIE: NO SUMMER SPENDING SPREE
Martin Edwards insists there will be no summer spending spree at
Manchester United despite Alex Ferguson's claims that he needs to strengthen his squad.
United boss Ferguson wants a new goalkeeper to replace the departing Peter
Schmeichel, while according to reports he is also keen on another
full-back and two more midfielders - one of them right-sided.
However United chairman Edwards is adamant that there will be no repeat of
the £28million splashed out on Jaap Stam, Dwight Yorke and Jesper Blomqvist last
year.
United may be the biggest and richest club in the world, but Edwards
claims money is tight because of the £44million earmarked for the redevelopment of Old
Trafford and the new training complex at Carrington. "We have a good squad and a big
squad," said Edwards. "We have a lot of players and a lot of big-name international
players who aren't featuring regularly in the team.
"We can look at the squad and if the manager wants to change things around a
little bit, that won't be a problem. "But as I keep on saying, we can't go on
spending the £28million we spent last season on top of all the other things
we're doing.
"Money doesn't grow on trees and these things have to be paid for."
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: United's FA Cup History
1909, Manchester United 1 Bristol City 0
The gamble to play injured star Sandy Turnbull
paid off when he scored the winner after 22 minutes against
a City side boasting the smallest centre-half to
play for England: 5-foot-4 Billy Wedlock.
1948, Manchester United 4 Blackpool 2
Former Sergeant Major and one time Manchester City
player Matt Busby man led United guided United to
a long-waited cup triumph; beating a First Division
side in every round along the way.
1963, Manchester United 3 Leicester City 1
United were still in transition after the Munich
air disaster but the team managed and rebuilt by Busby
for just over 300,000 swept Leicester aside with
record signing Denis Law scoring one and David Herd the
other two.
1977, Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1
Tommy Dochertys flamboyant side was not to be
denied against a Liverpool side going for the Treble.
Goals from Stuart Pearson and a true fluke of a goal
that flew in off Jimmy Greenhoff's chest either side of a
Jimmy Case thunderbolt did the trick.
1983, Manchester United 2 Brighton 2 (Replay:
United 4 Brighton 0)
Naturally, no reference to the first encounter
would be right and proper without using the phrase And
Smith Must Score. The hapless Scot norsed the chance up
and United romped home by four clear goals in the
replay.
1985, Manchester United 1 Everton 0
Kevin Moran became the first player ever to be
sent off in an FA Cup Final, but was still smiling at the
end after Norman Whiteside, who'd already scored two
years before against Brighton, curled in a superb
extra-time winner.
1990, Manchester United 3 Crystal Palace 3
(Replay: United 1 Palace 0)
After a thrilling semi-final victory over
Liverpool, Palace almost pulled off another shock with
two-goal Ian Wright putting them ahead in extra time, before
Mark Hughes saved United. Lee Martin settled the
replay.
1994, Manchester United 4 Chelsea 0
After desperately trying to blow the league title
a few weeks earlier with a string of poor performances,
United finally clinched the Double with Eric Cantona
setting them on the way against a Chelsea side which was
never at the races.
1996, Manchester United 1 Liverpool 0
A single Cantona strike from just outside the area
was enough to clinch the trophy and seal another Old
Trafford double. Why the hordes of Liverpool
players on the line failed to get to the Frenchmans shot is a
mystery, however.
United hold the record for the most number of FA
Cup Final victories with nine to date
Manchester United were also runners-up in...
1957 Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1
1958 Bolton Wanderers 2 Manchester United 0
1976 Southampton 1 Manchester United 0
1979 Arsenal 3 Manchester United 2
1995 Everton 1 Manchester United 0
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: Sunday in New York by murphygallen@webtv.net (Paul Gallen)
Sunday was such a magic day, it's only today that it's starting to sink
in that we actually won the league. Unfortunately I was not in
Manchester but I must say the New York contingency of Reds were out in
force and in great voice. We also had the pleasure Mr. Hennessy's
company for the occasion. If you haven't met Sean and are going to Barca
you are in for a treat!
The day started at 9.30am, I was met in the living room by Sean and Kat
decked in red and ready to go. A quick shower and we were on our way to
Clancy's by 10am. With it being Sunday pub's here cannot open until
12noon so there was a minor heart attack when we got to the pub only to
meet twenty odd people (mainly ABU and Spurs fans) outside. However the
owner opened the doors at 10.30 and within minutes the place was full,
thankfully with loads of beautiful crimson red shirts.
I'll never forget the awful moment when Ferdinand scored. Fair play to
the lads though, they never gave up. Three of the lads watching were
from Cork so the constant amusing commentary regarding Dinny and Keane
kept the tenson from getting too much, though the last 10 minutes were
all a bit much. Clancy's is turning into a really lucky pub for me. Some
of our greatest wins this year have been watched there, including Gigg's
goal against Arsenal. Though the celebration of Cole's goal on Sunday
put that day slightly in the shade. So Linda I look forward to buying
you a couple of drinks in Barclona as promised!! I tried to call my Dad
who was in the Throstles with my mother and was hoping to speak to you
in person. Cole came through when it mattered so hats off to him.
So the singing and dancing started, champion-ees, champion-ees oh we are
we are we!! Later it spilt out on the streets, bunches of dancing reds
out in the middle of 3rd Avenue, New York City doing the Congo. New
York has never seen the like! A quick phone call told us that Nevada
Smiths was the place to be, so a quick cab ride and we were all back
singing and generally having a laugh. it seemed everyone in Nevada
Smiths was going to Barcelona. I ran into list member Declan Hanlon for
the first time, well he wasn't sure which list he was on though he did
mantion that Barry Leeming was a gas man! So new York will be well
represented in Barcelona.
Anyway the day ended at about 10pm when I swear I could'nt get any sound
to come out of my mouth. So it was back to bed and dreams of the treble.
I can't wait for Saturday and then it's off to Barcelona on Monday night
along with the Corkmen! I look forward to seeing everyone at the Hard
Rock Cafe??
Regards,
Paul Gallen
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Subject: Cars, Houses and stufff...
Ever wondered what cars and houses the top man utd stars own? here's a list...
Becks... House worth £2.5million, his cars include..
£250,000 - bentley arnage,
£150,000 - ferrari maranello
£98,000 - porchse 911 carrera
£60,000 - range rover
£55,000 - jaguar xk8
Giggs... House worth £750,000, his cars include..
£150,000 - ferrari maranello
£40,000 - jeep grand cherokee
£50,000 - subura impreza sti
£20,000 - renault clio ltd ed.
£87,000 - aston martin db7
Keane... House worth £800,000, his cars include..
£87,000 - aston martin db7
£60,000 - range rover
Cole.... House worth £600,000, his cars include..
£150,000 - ferrari maranello
£87,000 - aston martin db7
Yorke... House worth £500,000, his cars include..
£150,000 - ferrari maranello
£87,000 - aston martin db7
Butt.... £100,000 - ferrari F355 GTS
Schmeichel.. £50,000 mercedes coupe
Irwin... £50,000 bmw 5 series
Stam.... £50,000 bmw 5 series (with built in tv that only works below
5mph)
Top nightspots for the best team in the world are :
Italian restuarant "Est Est Est",
Bill Wymans burger restaurant "Sticky Fingers",
The four seasons hotel "Kells" and
Mick Hucknall's bar "Barca".
All info. courtest of "Heat" magazine
CONGRATS to REDS ALL over the world PREMIER LEAGUE 1999!"
Pic Link today is http://www.red11.org/mufc/champ/99
To debate ALL subjects about Manchester United Football
Club we at Simplenet recommend:
The "RED-DEVILS MAIL LIST" all subscription
requests to: <RedDevils-subscribe@onelist.com
>
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
