Well this Rio testimonial match concludes our worst pre-season in recent times. We've lost pretty much all our games even against the direst of oppositions. Our gameplay hasn't been good either, defence has been shambles, Smalling seems to be going backwards every year. No new signings whatsoever, with the core team getting older, Rooney very likely to leave and even if not, most likely a poor season ahead. For the first time, I am not that excited about this new season coming up, also on the back of my mind, that Moyes is not known for exciting football. Hopefully this pre-season form doesn't extend to Sundays match. Anyway, Rio deserved better, he looked well disappointed.
The last really bad pre-season was 98/99, that turned out to be a pisser didn`t it. I don`t think we have had more than 6 first team players on the pitch at any one time during pre-season so not too worried about that. Rio did deserve better than tonight but i feel it was planned too close to the season opener for a strong team to be played.
The FA are clinically insane to have a friendly 3 days before the league begins. So can't blame you for throwing a game 2 days before Moyes' first competitive match. Seems poorly organised towards Rio though.
Don't feel that sorry for him tbh. If he loves the club as much as he claims, then he should be happy the kids are getting such exposure against top opposition. He's got a medal list as long as your arm, so I doubt he cares that much about a one off friendly!
True, anyways testimonial wins or losses mean nothing, the event is what its all about not the result
This summer's pre-season results have been the stuff of nightmares! Teams such as Singha, Yokohama, Osaka and AIK would hardly have struck fear into the hearts of Untd fans prior to 2013, and wins over the A-League and Kitchee would not have raised the spirits either. This last kick in the proverbials, defeat at home in a testimonial, is an ominous sign of the season ahead IMHO. I wonder which end of the table Untd will be after the first three matches - Swansea, Chelsea and Liverpool?? Tomorrow it's Wigan's turn and to be honest, it won't be a walkover (at least I hope not!!).
Who care from pre season games, its just to get players fit,and for the new manager to see how he plans to play them.
Clearly a **** pre-season then as you've lost pretty much every game! So he's clearly not got the system right yet, far from it. Whereas the powerhouse that is Liverpool, have won every game comfortably and have only conceded 1 goal
Pre-season games are normally intended to be games which the 'senior' team' should win, thereby raising players' morale and enabling players to gel together ready for the season ahead. To be beaten by lesser teams does nothing for the players or the manager and leaves the latter with more questions than answers. Add the poor results to the Rooney saga and the departure of SAF and you have a club heading for trouble!
I don't f**king pay any attention to the pre seasons. They are there to make money for the club, to increase the exposure of the club to Far East markets, basically nothing to do with football. Same as the charity or community shield. No indication how things will work out. Everyone is understandably nervous because SAF is no longer manager. But I think we got the right one in DM. F**king Maureen would have been wrong. he is just too self absorbed and will always be running for the biggest offer.
Our decline`s are very different to normal one`s, take last year, we declined all the way to title number 20. Who knows what this season`s decline will bring.
