Drogba was as handy for his play acting and cheating, as he was for his actual goals. He probably won Chelsea lots of games through play acting and cheating. The game away in the New Camp against Barcelona being the most famous one. This is why they have gone for Costa, as he's of the same mould. A big physical play actor, who doesn't score enough goals
Fergie with the controversy. Fergie selling a book. Fergie on the wum. Dont worry though London'Only, he's relying on many more like you to bite
RVN didn't play in the strongest United side, the defence in particular used to leak far to many goals, and there was a huge hole left in midfield when Keane was coming to the end, and then left. This was sorted out by the signings of Vidic to partner Rio in defence, and Carrick to partner Scholes in midfield. Not to mention we had 2 world class youngsters in Ronaldo and Rooney starting to move into there primes. That was why we became the best team in Europe, i don't think it's fair to lay the blame as RVNs door, as I feel we'd of still dominated Europe had he stayed
You may be right. Although I think it's fair to assume that Ronaldo wouldn't have become the player he did if RVN was still around to bollock him for shooting instead of passing to him...
Blimey, me and Shergar agree on something! I feel sullied and in need of a shower that anyone could mention Drogba in the same sentence as van Nistelrooy. And Henry for that matter. Not even on the same planet as those two and a joke to even suggest it. I know it was me made the initial comparison but RVN and Henry were both different players really, although both scored shed loads of goals. RVP scored against anyone, as far from a flat track bully as a striker could be. Definitely the very best out and out goal scoring No.9 United had since Dennis Law and definitely a world class one at that. Henry was also brilliant. As an ex winger his tendency to come in from wide at pace was a joy to see, unless it was against us. The two together in the same side would have been very good indeed. It's not Ruud's fault he played during a relatively fallow period for us but we still bagged a league title while he was with us which, considering the rest of the side and the holes in it, was a minor miracle.
Nobodybis denying just how good RVN was. Far from. Just that in hindsight and looking at the team we became, maybe he wasnt the right man. I wouldnt have changed it though, we got to see a pure striker lead the line, someone you didn't think would score in every game, but you expected.
Ruud and Ronaldo didn't get on at all did they? I know that shouldn't prevent them from working together but Fergie felt it was time for Ruud to move on and Ronaldo to be given the chance to step up. One of the best decisions he ever made looking back. Completely changed Man Utd.
He was always the right man between 01-06, however I can understand the point that we may have sold him at the right time. Only because of Ronaldos development. We'd of been a far weaker side without him in the years he was with us though. He pretty much carried the team, much like Cantona did before and Ronaldo did after him
Ruud kept us right up their. I wouldn't say single handedly but a few of our players had started to look disinterested after years of total dominance. The decision to move him on was genius looking back. We gave youth a chance again (wasn't our youth but we once again put youth at the front of our long term plan) and became a side hungry for success once more. After all the cries of Chelsea's dominance for the rest of time, we as a club made the football world look ******ed. We didn't only beat Chelsea but went on to out do anything they had done and would go on to do. I don't think ruud would have brought this, as good as he was. His time at Madrid didn't bring to much success either did it? Can't really remember so could he way off. Ruud should have won more though, especially a CL title. Nobody without his record should be without.
he won 2 La Liga titles with Madrid, scoring 46 in 66 games. So a pretty good record for them aswell. Yeah he is unfortunate to not have a Champions League winners medal, however winning 3 golden boots in the competition is some achievement. Looking back I do seem to remember he and Ronaldo had some rows, and his abilities may have been slightly on the downgrade at that stage, so maybe it was the right time for him to go
I was trying to think back, I know Madrid won two titles on the mid 00's but wasn't sure when. Thinking back it must have been 2008 (pep became manager of barce the following season) and I assume it was 07 as well.
It was a fairly risk-free decision for Fergie imo. Keane was injured, on his way out due to personal differences, Ruud was injured, on his way out due to personal differences. Rooney and Ronaldo were scoring. The crunch iirc came in the Carling Cup final a few months later which we won without Ruud. RVN without doubt is one of my favourite ever players to put on a United shirt. His movement and ability to read the game/pass was one of the best I've ever seen. He must have been a delight for the likes of Beckham and Scholes and Rooney to play with. He also invented the art of standing offside and coming onside before the pass was made. It fcked with defences as they didnt know whether to come forward or drop deep. I see strikers do it today and they all followed him. I also rate him for his words after he won the La Liga title. After the final whistle and as the lights flashed around the stadium and reporters ran on to interview players, he used the opportunity to also thank MUFC for his time at the club, the fans, Fergie and his regret at having to leave. A decent bloke imo.
This - RVN was sold after having a go at Ronaldo in training for not passing to him, and telling him to 'go cry to your daddy', a reference to Queiroz who was working hard to make Ronaldo one of the best players in the world in his own right, rather than just a supply line to Ruud. He was a great striker, probably one of the best, but not one of the best players ever imo, for Utd or in general.
Was at that match, v Wigan. One of the reasons why I think this is such an important cup when we've not won anything for a while, it keeps the trophy winning mentality ticking over and then you kick on from it, after we won this Ruud left and we went onto more or less out most successful period ever, without trawling through records and stats as I can't really be arsed. Ruud was sub, was warming up constantly in front of us and wanted to get on and get involved. Fergie wouldn't send him on and instead sent on some player or other who Ruud clearly though wasn't worthy (he was correct I think, can't recall who that player was) and so he never got on the pitch. That was it, the real reason why he and Fergie fell out, the straw that broke the proverbial back, and so he left.
Just had a quick check, it was Kieran Richardson. Typical Ferguson really, if you want to piss a player off into leaving then you really piss them off.
