Moyes should not be shielded by so-called tradition of remaining patient

by Joe Cawley, StrettyNews Original Article here

A lingering argument against sacking David Moyes five years before his contract ends is that as Manchester United, we don’t sack managers. This statement, understandably, is used to portray us as a club of class, patience and dignity, unlike the many trigger-happy clubs in England, but unfortunately it is a statement that is completely out of synch with modern football.

Those who sack their manager without giving them any chance, (Cardiff, West Brom, Fulham to name just a few) deserve to fail, and usually will. Those who sack their manager despite success, (Mancini a year after winning the title for the first time since 1968, Di Matteo after winning Chelsea’s first European cup), stench of a lack of class, so it is reasonable to not want to be seen in this bracket. But after such a poor season, with no glimmer of hope, and with a manager so obviously out of his depth, we need to break our so called ‘tradition’.

Tradition? How do we know after 27 years of a genius? For many fans, this is the only manager in their lifetime. For others, it seems like a lifetime ago. After Ferguson motivated the exact same squad to a league title by eleven points, it is preposterous to suggest that he too would have struggled this year. He may have taken his eye off the ball a little, not replacing his midfield despite having talent like Pogba in the reserves, and he could certainly have spoken out against the Glazers more, but the man was a genius and should take no responsibility for the team’s trials this year. Even the Glazers, after raping our resources for so long whilst the others stock-pile players after unnecessary players, have funded two big name signings and Rooney’s mammoth contract. There is only one person to blame for the current crisis. If this was Barcelona, the respected ‘more than a club’, the white handkerchiefs would have been out ages ago.

Jupp Heynckes reveals talks with Manchester United target Toni Kroos

Manchester United target Toni Kroos has been urged to stay at Bayern Munich by their former manager.


He may be retired, but just like Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Jupp Heynckes has not walked away from Bayern Munich altogether.

Last season's Champions League winning boss has revealed he has been speaking with in-demand Toni Kroos personally, and stated the case to stay.

Kroos has a contract which expires in one year's time, and Manchester United are widely reported to be attempting to sign the Bayern midfielder.

Yet Heynckes has stated today in an interview with German media outlet Sport1 that he hopes his words have done the trick.

"I spoke with Toni. If he takes my words seriously, he will stay. A team like Bayern are not currently available in Europe.

"He would be well advised to extend. At present he has a good offer from Bayern. Toni knows also. I hope that his advisor also knows."

United faced off against Toni Kroos personally themselves this week, while The Mirror reported that chief exective Ed Woodward was conducting an extended stay in Germany in an attempt to seal a deal.

Bayern have however been publicly reluctant to change their stance that he is not for sale, while Kroos and his agent this week have admitted as it stands, he remains a Bayern player.

Is this likely to be the tipping factor in the Toni Kroos chase?

Original Article here

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers issues hands-off warning to Man Utd over psychiatrist Steve Peters

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is preparing for another summer of keeping a key member of his team out of the grasp of Premier League rivals.

But this time it’s psychiatrist Steve Peters rather than star striker Luis Suarez.

Peters has become an influential member of the Reds’ backroom team, including having a place on the bench for last weekend’s win over West Ham.

He will work with the England squad at the World Cup this summer and had previously worked with snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan.

David Moyes would be wise to learn from Liverpool’s experiences

A Europa League campaign next season could be detrimental to Manchester United’s Premier League form.

With just a handful of games remaining in the Premier League, the race for the European spots is heating up.


Arsenal and Everton are now most likely to finish fourth or fifth, therefore taking the last Champions League spot and a guaranteed Europa League spot.

As a result of Manchester City’s League Cup victory over Sunderland, sixth place in the Premier League will now qualify for the Europa League, a tussle which appears to be between Tottenham Hotspur in sixth and Manchester United in seventh.

The Red Devils have endured a bitterly disappointing campaign, though they can salvage something by pipping Tottenham to sixth spot and grabbing the last Europa League spot.

But, would that really be in Manchester United’s best interest?

A Europa League campaign has been looked upon in past seasons as a distraction to the Premier League, and United may well wish to take a glance at rivals Liverpool to see the benefits of fully focusing on the league.

Brendan Rodgers’ men have been able to rest between matches, and their star players have certainly reaped the benefits. The Reds currently top the Premier League, on a marvellous eight-game winning run and having scored a whopping 90 league goals.

Whilst glorifying Liverpool’s season is certainly not on David Moyes’ mind, there would be no shame at all in learning from their experiences for next season.

The Scot has been entrusted with guiding Manchester United back to the top, and the very least expected of the Red Devils is to qualify for the Champions League.

Purposely not winning the remaining games is not an option, and if United claim sixth spot, then the Europa League should be used to help younger players gain match experience, not wasting the energy of star players like Wayne Rooney, Adnan Januzaj and Juan Mata.

Whatever the outcome from this season, a clear mind and the hungriness to reach the top could be David Moyes’ most potent weapon next season – just like it has been Liverpool’s throughout this campaign.

Are United better off in or out of the Europa League?

Original Article here

United-Real tickets in US sell out...but what about the Europa League?

US ticket sellers have claimed the game would be the most seen soccer game in their history, but the Reds could face a messy fixture congestion.

Tickets for United’s August clash with Real Madrid at the University of Michigan’s 109,000-capacity stadium have sold out in ONE DAY.


The Reds are due to take on the Spanish giants on August 2 at the ‘Big House’ in Ann Arbor, organisers say they have shifted more than 100,000 tickets in just 24 hours and that none are left.

The match is part of the Guinness International Champions Cup, which also sees City, AS Roma, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Olympiacos and Liverpool in action across the Atlantic.

Officials will no doubt hoping United are not involved in the first round of Europa League qualifying matches, the second leg of which is to be played on the same date.

The Reds declined to comment when asked what they would do should they end up facing two fixtures on the same day.

One option could be to send another team to the US made up of fringe players. A postponement is not thought to be an option - They see a clash as unlikely.

Regardless, ticket sellers Stateside hailed the news and claimed the game would be the most seen soccer match in US history, beating the 101,799 record set at the Rose Bowl at the 1984 Olympics.

Original Article here

Does Toni Kroos' 'celebration' against Manchester United reveal his mindset?

Toni Kroos was alleged to have told teammates this week he wants to join Manchester United.

Do photos of Toni Kroos after Bayern's win over Manchester United show a player who is disengaged with the club?

While winger Arjen Robben was clearly delirious at the final whistle, and his teammates hugged it out, Kroos stood in the background, reluctant to reveal his emotion.

The Mirror claimed ahead of the second leg that Toni Kroos had even told his Bayern teammates of his plans to move to Old Trafford in the summer.

Their report wrote: "Kroos has told Bayern and Germany team-mates that he is determined to make the switch to Old Trafford."

Ahead of the claim this was vehemently denied by German newspaper BILD, with the player just hours away from featuring against United.

The Red Devils are considered lead contenders for his signature, with just one year remaining on his contract from June, but Bayern are reluctant to sell - at least that's their public position.

David Moyes even stated after the game that the players he has contacted regarding a move are 'keen to come', adding more fuel to the fire regarding Kroos.

It remains of course speculative, but Kroos' reluctance to celebrate crazily like Arjen Robben, illustrates the difference between himself and the Dutchman, who signed a new deal last month.

While not joining in the team hug in front of him, and they not reaching out to him, may also correspond with reports he has told his teammates he wants to quit to move to Old Trafford.

Whichever the truth, you get the feeling it may not to too long until we all find out one way or another.

Do buy into the reports that Kroos has claimed he wants to leave?