Return Of The Ginger Prince

Yesterday saw the return of the Ginger Prince, Paul Scholes to the EPL. Rumors of a return to football were spreading like wildfire a few months ago and fans were hoping that they were true but United manager quickly defused the rumors as false.

Manchester United has been lacking creativity in midfield this season after the injury of Tom Cleverley and a dip in form from Anderson, United also had to deal with the long term absence of Darren Fletcher who could possibly be out for the rest of the season.

With the obvious void in midfield fans were pleading with their club to go out and buy a player who they think can make an instant impact in midfield, many names were tossed up but the most talked about was Wesley Sneijder but Sir Alex Ferguson said he won’t be buying anyone come January.

However in stunning fashion Scholes made his return against noisy neighbors Manchester City in the FA Cup where he made 71 passes with a 97% completion rate, which was more than any Man City player in the entire game. The return of Scholes is a telling sign to the likes of Darron Gibson and Anderson that they need to get better fast or they could be on their way out of Old Trafford.

Paul Scholes: The Ginger Prince Retires

“I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour. This was not a decision that I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing. To have been part of the team that helped the Club reach that 19th title is a great privilege.”

“I would like to thank the fans for their tremendous support throughout my career, I would also like to thank all the coaches and players that I have worked with over the years, but most of all I would like to thank Sir Alex for being such a great manager, from the day I joined the club his door has always been open and I know this team will go on to win many more trophies under his leadership.” – Paul Scholes

Here’s some quotes that fellow footballers said about the legendary Ginger Prince…

Pele: “If he was playing with me, I would score so many more.”

Zinedine Zidane : “My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. Scholes is undoubtedly the greatest midfielder of his generation.”

FC Barcelona: 2010/11 UEFA Champions League Champions

Congratulations FC Barcelona!

It was a match with huge build up and high expectations, FC Barcelona were heavy favorites to lift the trophy and they did just that. Goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi & David Villa were enough to see the Catalan Giants lift and impressive 4th Champions League title. Today’s game was a rematch of the 2009 final at Rome in which Barcelona defeated United 2-0 with goals from Samuel Eto’o & Lionel Messi.

This encounter was played at the famous Wembley Stadium infront of 87,695 screaming fans, the last time these two teams played they broke the record for TV viewers for a sporting even out doing the Super Bowl, the viewing audience for to was a record of 300 Million viewers.

Nasri To United?

French newspaper L’Equipe has claimed that 23 year old Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri has grown frustrated with Arsenal’s lack of progress over the years and would consider a move to Old Trafford.  Samir Nasri will be out of contract at the end of the 2011/12 season and could leave the Gunners on a free is he’s not given a new deal. Contract talks with the Frenchman and Arsenal have recently stalled and this would be an ideal time for Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United to make an offer for the midfielder.

I must admit that this would be a welcoming addition to Manchester United seeing that the likes of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are on the brink o retirement and the skillful play maker will be a good addition in solving United’s burgeoning need for an attacking midfielder.

Patrice Evra recently suggested that his fellow Frenchman come to United by saying:

“If Samir comes, he has to know there is no room for mistakes, each year you are playing to win. That is Manchester United’s culture.

Each year it is a guarantee of a title, I have been at Manchester for five years now and I can’t remember how many trophies I have won. 13? 15? So, ‘Petit Prince’, if you want to become King you know where you have to go.”

Evra’s comment won’t go over well with Arsène Wenger and Arsenal fans who already have a dislike for the player who once stated that it’s “Men Against Boys” when United play against Arsenal. Ferguson has been an admirer of Nasri for some time now so an offer for the Frenchman is something that has the possibility of being made but there’s huge doubts that Arsène Wenger will listen to any offers from a title rival.

Anderson son son

Anderson son son,
He’s better than Kleberson,
Anderson son son,
He’s our midfield magician,
To the left,
To the right,
To the samba beat tonight,
He is class with a brass
And he shits on Fabregas.

Those were the words that could be heard ringing throughout Old Trafford.

The Brazilian play maker had arguably his most productive match in the red shirt of Manchester United since arriving at the club in July of 2007. Anderson scored a brace against FC Schalke 04 in the Reds’ 2nd leg UEFA Champions League semifinal matchup at Old Trafford. Since his arrival scoring goals have been a rarity but besides that the Brazilian have had a hard time getting consistent playing time due to his lack of fitness and occasional injuries.

During his first season at the club he had some outstanding performances against two of United’s biggest rivals Liverpool & Arsenal respectivelyand earned himself a few caps for the Brazil national team. His future at the club looked bright but the young Brazilian started making headlines off the field more than on it, news of his partying lifestyle took the spotlight which obviously wasn’t well received by Sir Alex Ferguson and caused a slight rift between player and manager.

This season Anderson was in the spotlight once again after he crashed his car after leaving a nightclub while in Portugal recovering from a serious knee injury. This season he has shown some promise that he can be a key figure in the midfield for United after having a consistent run of games where he put in some very good performances, with Paul Scholes on the verge of retirement Anderson will have some very huge boots to fill but before he can go down that path his first hurdle will be making a change in his off field lifestyle.

Ryans Giggs Is United Fans Greatest

In a recent poll voted on by United fans Ryan Giggs was voted as the best ever Manchester United player, the poll was held by Inside United. On winning the award Gigg said…

“I couldn’t believe it to be honest, especially when you look at the list of other players who are up there.”

This is what the top 10 list looks like:

The Greatest: The Top 10

1. Ryan Giggs
2. Eric Cantona
3. George Best
4. Sir Bobby Charlton
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
6. Paul Scholes
7. David Beckham
8. Roy Keane
9. Peter Schmeichel
10. Wayne Rooney

 

I must admit that’s there’s a few players on this list i’m surprised to see and there’s a few that isn’t on the list i’m very much surprised didn’t make it.

Fergie Responds To Arsene Wenger’s Criticism Of Scholes

“I don’t know why Arsene Wenger said that,” said Ferguson.

“When you are asked your opinion about someone with the ability and performance level of Paul Scholes I don’t see why you should say that.

“It is very easy to look at the dark side of any player. I could say it about one of the Arsenal players in particular and everybody knows that but there is no need.

“Paul is not the best tackler but he has not injured anyone in his time here.

“You should focus on the strengths and abilities he shows and also the contribution he has made to English football over 18 years. It is phenomenal.”

The voyeur has to be very delusional, everyone who has been following the EPL since the 90’s know that he has had plenty dirty players. His teams had players receiving red cards on a regular basis so i don’t see a reason for this hypocritical statement that the voyeur made.

Jose Mourinho: Scholes Is A Great, Great Player

“Scholes? Fantastic. Why isn’t he playing for England? It is crazy. Only in England.”

“Scholes is a great, great player. So experienced and still, for me, one of the best in the world in midfield. Manchester United are lucky to have him.”

England doesn’t deserve to have Scholes in their squad, that team is filled with players who don’t deserve to be weraing the jersey of the Three Lions. The national team is basically ran by the media not Capello, the face that Scholes has retired internationally has helped his career continue and help United aswell.