Scottish delights, anyone?

The first game of our pre-season against Aberdeen for a testimonial in honour to the side that won the European Cup Winners' Cup 25 years ago with our very own Fergie at the helm. I didn’t manage to watch the game live, but I will be able to see it recorded on MUTV tonight. I read different match reports for the past few hours, and there are some positive things to be mentioned:

1- Almost a sell-out crowd at the Pittodrie Stadium (one of the first all-seater stadiums in the UK)

2- Gary Neville & Lee Martin playing a whole half

3- Frazier Campbell gets 30 whole minutes

4- Keeping a clean sheet

United: Amos (Woods, 73); Neville (Simpson, 46), Brown (J Evans, 61), Vidic (O'Shea, 46), Silvestre; Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes (Gibson, 61), Martin (Eagles, 46); Rooney (Hewson, 73), Giggs (Campbell, 61).

Carrick continued his good form in scoring penalties, and glad to see Rooney finishing it off with a 2nd. It is always good when Rooney hits the back of the net, as he doesnt do it often. Did he gain weight or is it just me? The only question mark on top of my head is why didn’t Ben Foster take part? We all know that Super Van is on an extended break, and Kuszczak has a back problem that led him to drop out of the Polish squad in Euro 2008, and most probably he is doing light training at the moment. But where is Ben Foster? Pre-season is always good for young players, and both 18 year old kids Gary Woods and Ben Amos are potential stars for the future, no question about that – but if you field 10 regular players from the first team, then why didn't Foster get an equal chance? I am excited though that Ben Amos will play in the Uefa U-19 Championship along with Danny Welbeck. I hope they both get to play and shine. I am also eager to watch our German keeper Ron-Robert Zieler. And I am sure we will get to see other talents that can become international stars like previous winners i.e. Torres and Aquilani.

Looking forward to the next stop of pre-season at South Africa this weekend.

Caliber, youth and quality.

Sad news: he is leaving.

Even though he knows how much he is loved and appreciated by the club, fans, and most importantly by Alex Ferguson who loves him most. But I do not think he will stay.

The guy is Portuguese and to coach his national team (with the current crop of players) is certainly something he would want. To coach the World Cup semi-finalists; a team that has Deco, Simao, Quaresma, Carvalho and Cristiano Ronaldo – the best player in the world. I mean who would say no?

Carlos left in 2003 when Madrid came calling, and the charm of a club that had Zidane and Figo at the time was hard to turn down, and this summer, the satiation is very much similar, yet it is even more tempting as it is his homeland. Carlos knew that if he had said no to Madrid back then, he would never get that chance again, because he knows quite well that there are top coaches out there better than him. I believe this is the same case with Portugal. The new coach would have a mission to qualify and do well at the World Cup in 2010, and if he did well then most probably he will continue to Euro 2012 and then step down. That is 4 years from now. By that time Alex Ferguson would have retired (I HOPE NOT), and a new coach taking over, and for me, Queiroz wants out now as he cannot guarantee being on top when Fergie steps down. I am sure if he was given assurances, he would have not bothered talking to Portuguese Federation in the first place. And at the same time he might be thinking that if he goes now and impresses then it might strengthen his chances to be called by the Glazers and Gill to come back and replace our legendary coach.

One of the reasons Queiroz is also leaving for, is that sooner or later one of Rui Costa and Figo would be approached and appointed as coach; similar to the trend by other European nations for the past 10 years now (Netherlands, Italy and Germany) to allow young ex professionals to coach. And we all know how much the Portuguese nation loves both players, and I am sure public demand would want them to be in charge now, had they not been playing. We cannot also forget that Jose Mourinho is 45, and as he stated on several occasions before, "I will be coaching Portugal one day, before I reach 60" – and let's say he will spend between 3 to 5 years at Inter, depending on the success he brings, that makes him 50 years old and will have only one destination left before coaching Portugal, and during his last club stint – either Figo or Rui Costa would be in total control. That's why Queiroz must take this opportunity now as it will be impossible to have it in 5 years time.

The big question now would be who would replace him?

We all know that Sir Alex needs an assistant. Fact is; we won nothing without an assistant. In 2001/2002 we reached the semis of the Champions League, but lost the league at home to Arsenal who went on to win the double. 2 seasons later (2003/2004) we were playing some of the worst football while Arsenal finishing the season unbeaten. We managed to win an FA Cup but Fergie had an assistant by March (Walter Smith). I am not saying that having an assistant guarantees success. But the odds to do well while having a good assistant are much higher than being all alone.

I've read recently that we are being linked to Pako Ayesteran (Liverpool's and Valencia's Rafa ex assistant) and Barnsley's coach Simon Davey. I personally find the first name a much better reinforcement if it happens. Pako is well known in Europe for being a good coach as well as a great trainer. He is a big fan of stamina and physical strength, something that we all noticed in Liverpool players for the past few seasons. I also believe that being an international (non-English) assistant is an advantage nowadays because he will be able to provide Fergie with ideas from different backgrounds accompanied by diversified techniques too. No offence to Simon Davey, but the guy never played for a big team and never managed a big team, so he is unaware of the whole European football and the many styles it brings along. If we are going to bring an Englishman then I find no other than Alan Shearer! He turned us down twice as a player, but what a knowledgeable man he is of the modern game. Shearer currently working as a pundit would accept to be Fergie's right-hand man without hesitation. He wants to learn, and there is no better to learn from than the master. I know many United fans wouldn’t accept the idea, but if you want an Englishman then go and get him. He would not turn us down. Imagine the rewards that would be reflected on strikers like Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, and of course Saha (if he is still playing with us). Shearer would help them improve their game and style of play. With the international know-how he had with England, he would qualify for that role. But again, that's if you want an Englishman.

Lauren Blanc would be ideal as not only a top player he was, but also an ex United member who knows half of this team inside out. After leading Bordeaux in his first season as a coach to finish 2^nd and qualify for the Champions League group stages, I am sure it would be very hard to tempt him. He would want to give it a shot against the big boys, and who wouldn’t?

Another candidate that would appeal to me is Henning Berg; the great Norwegian who defended our colours with great pride. Berg spent 11 seasons in the United Kingdom and is the only player to win the Premiership with 2 clubs (Blackburn and United). He has 100 caps for his country and has been coaching FC Lyn for the past 3 years. The guy has the experience and has the potential. He is also very indulgent and loved by everyone in the club.

Finally, and call me greedy on this one...but I would love to see Eric Cantona on that bench. He has all the right attributes. He will set the place alight and would do a perfect job no doubt about that. He might not look as serious to you as he used to be, but when he is on that pitch with those shorts, he will get it all back. My only concern is I really doubt if Fergie would ever give him that chance. Sir Alex likes the whole 'one man show' concerning his players - he speaks out for them, he defends them, etc... We rarely saw Queiroz giving interviews and analyzing situations with other teams, and even though Eric is nowhere near Queiroz when it comes to coaching, but he certainly is more popular with the British fans and the British press. The presence of Cantona would definitely grab the attention of the cameras, and I am not pretty sure if that's what Ferguson wants at the moment. I also fear that the pair could clash in regards to opinions. We all know how Cantona speaks his mind out just like Jose Mourinho and causes controversy and this is definitely not the way to work with Alex. If it happens though, I would be happier than ever.

I need to state that I don’t want Brian Kidd. The guy is 59 years old, and he is not the same man he used to be 15 years ago. We need to bring in someone young and enthusiastic. I would have given the role to Ole, but it seems like he wants to work with the kids first, and personally I don’t believe that any of Brian McClair and Mike Phelan qualifies to be the 2^nd man. We need someone who has charisma. Someone the players would look up to and listen. Someone whose age is close to that of the players. We want someone the players would relate to as 'one of them'. We need someone like Cantona, Berg, Blanc and Shearer.

Thank you for the memories, Carlos. And good luck coaching Portugal.

We want more goals.

I thought this would be a daily blog...:)

Well literally after I formed this planet and wrote my first post, I got involved intensely in lots of work-related events and never managed to even come online and check my mail, let alone come here and write. But the most important thing is that I am here, at least for now.

So let's move on.

We have been linked to different forwards lately. And I consider buying a pure centre forward is essential and main priority, but who is out there for us to buy?

I will divide this into 2 (the ones we are linked to and the ones I want us to be linked to).

The names we have been linked to are:

1- Zlatan Ibrahimovic

2- Roque Santa Cruz

3- Dimitar Berbatov

4- Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

5- David Villa

6- Samuel Eto'o

7- Karim Benzema

8- Luis Fabiano

Let's tackle each one in more depth:

1- Zlatan Ibrahimovic

I don’t think it is possible. Why?

He is a magical player. 27 years old, and that adds to the glamour. Inter Milan's sparkler and fan favourite. The Swede is currently under both a lengthy & wealthy contract that I do not see him in any other shirt for some years to come. It will take a huge sum of money to lure him away. Another reason for him not joining another club is the new Inter Milan's coach – Jose Mourinho. Everyone wants to work with him, everyone has high hopes that he will bring the long awaited European crown to the Nerazzurri, and just like all the others, Zlatan is curious to work with him.

2- Roque Santa Cruz

It would have been easier if Hughes was still the coach. Why?

A 27 year old proven striker who has played in one of the top clubs in the world – Bayern Munich and played in 2 world cups, this man fits the bill, even if I think it is impossible to sign him. The player is at Blackburn earning peanuts, but new boss Paul Ince would be reluctant to lose one of the best strikers in England in his first season as a Premiership coach. Ince would want to prove he is capable of guiding Blackburn into new heights, and he will not be able to do that with McCarthy and Roberts alone, even if we pay 20 million pounds for him, because with that sum of money (yes A LOT – it would even break the record for a transfer fee received in their history, which is currently owned by Damien Duff who moved to Chelsea for 17 million pounds), they will not be able to replace him with a proven 20 goal – a season striker. There are very good strikers you can buy with that sum of money, but no offense, who would want to come to Blackburn?

3- Dimitar Berbatov

I want him. Why?

Similar style and age to Zlatan, Berbatov is what United fans wish for. He has been dazzling the spectators for 2 years in a row. He is big and fast, he can head and shoot, all along with an extreme talent that rarely anyone can match. His price tag will not be as much as it used to be last summer, basically because he has 2 years left till the end of his contract and it is highly unlikely he will sign an extension, as he refused to sign one last January. Also one of the reasons Berbatov decided to stay last season was in order to help them finish in the top 4 and qualify for the Champions League, but they not only failed to do that, but to also qualify for the UEFA Cup and this means that Tottenham will only have domestic football to play for. Manchester United failed to hijack the Bulgarian 2 years ago but now it is a big possibility, as the player would probably cost almost 20 million pounds which is double the amount Spurs had to pay for him, and it would also a record fee received by them.

4- Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

I don’t want him. Why?

The new Ruud Van Nistlerooy as they call him in Netherlands; the hunter is perhaps a replica of the Dutchman. He is 25 and still playing in Ajax. I personally find that a weak point in him along with the fact that he is not playing regularly for his national team. I don’t think he is big enough to handle the pressure at United. He will also cost almost or more than what would Berbatov cost, with the Bulgarian already in the European frame for the past 6 years, and doing extremely well in all competitions on both national and international levels. I hope we don’t end up buying him.

5- David Villa

I don’t want him too. Why?

A European Champion with Spain and top scorer of Euro 2008, the Spaniard is 27 years old and already a big hit back in his home country. After his impressive form this summer, Villa's price is already booming and I don’t see him going for less than 30 million pounds especially that the player insisted he is happy at Valencia.

6- Samuel Eto'o

I think it is a possibility. Why?

He is not wanted anymore by his club and he is not needed by the big clubs who can afford him outside Spain, since he will not play again in Spain (Juventus, Inter Milan, Roma, Bayern Munich and Chelsea). The only clubs in desperate need for a striker are Milan and Manchester United. Arsenal will join the queue if they sell Adebayor to the former, and this is a big possibility. Also Hleb and Adebayor are both strongly linked to Barcelona, and after selling Henry last year, both clubs could end doing business again. I am sure Barcelona would prefer selling Eto'o to Arsenal instead of us, but what would the player choose if he has the option? He stated on many occasions how much he loves to play for a big club, with big history, and there is no bigger than Manchester United. Eto'o is 27 years old with vast experience and his hunger towards scoring never ends. 2 years ago he was possibly the best striker in the world, and he can easily be on top again with the service he will get from our players. He will also come on a cheap, possibly the same amount Barca paid for him (20 million pounds).

7- Karim Benzema?

Impossible. Why?

Benzema is 21 years of age, still young and can be nurtured well by Fergie. He will be accepted by the fans and will demonstrate his capabilities fine at United. But is he worth all the money? Benzema would cost more than the 6 players mentioned here. Some might also argue that he hasn't proved anything on the big stage, but I will disagree and argue back saying that none of the French players impressed in the Euros, and it is impossible for Lyon to reach the semis of the Champions League anyway, so you can't blame him. Can you? The guy is playing fantastically with Lyon and he is one of the highest paid players in France and just signed a new contract, why would he leave then?

I don’t think it will happen, at least this summer.

8- Luis Fabiano

I would pretty much welcome him. Why?

28 years old and scores goals regularly for club and country, his scoring ratio is unbelievable. He won the UEFA Cup with Seville and scored in the final, so he can handle big games well. Seville is a selling club, as they let players leave every year, so it is possible we can do business with them. Alves was sold for 23 million pounds, so I am sure Fabiano would cost much less than that (possible 15 million pounds) and it would be considered a very good buy if it happens.

Now we can move on to the list of strikers that would delight me if we are linked to them:

1- Kenwyne Jones

Ok, I am sure everyone would call me insane for naming this tall Trinidadian striker, but even John Terry realized how good this guy stating in a press conference that 'he is the best player in the air in the entire league and it is very hard to play against him' after they met last March.

Jones is only 24 and managed to score 7 goals in his first full season in the Premiership – not bad at all if you put in mind that Tevez scored twice that number while playing at United and it was his second full season in England. If you compare the service both players get than Jones is really doing a great job down in North East. Roy Keane paid 6 million pounds for him and I am sure he would let him go for double that amount. This is a different case than Santa Cruz and Ince, because Keano already did well in his first full season as a Premiership coach, and also he has enough replacements in Shopra, Murphy and Stokes who could possibly step up and fill in. Keane will also be able to buy someone from the Championship who could be a good replacement, or he could take Saha and resurrect his career. But the main thing that would make this transfer easy would be letting Johnny Evans go in the opposite direction. Roy has been an admirer and he wants to sign the lad on permanent basis, and this could just be the last nail in the coffin.

2- Miroslav Klose

The German is 30 years old, but he has the physique of someone in his early 20's. Klose scored goals everywhere he played and has done it in the big games for club and country. I thought we would sign him after an amazing World Cup campaign 2 years ago, but we didn’t. I know it is very hard to sign him, as Bayern Munich playing in the Champions League next season, and they do not want to break the harmony they already have between their super midfield and attack. So I guess Klose is not even a possibility, but he remains a dream.

3- Roman Pavlyuchenko

27 years old who shone in Euro 2008 becoming Russia's top scorer and the tournament's 2^nd. Roman plays for Spartak Moscow who sold us Vidic almost 3 years ago. He has been their top scorer since he joined 5 seasons ago, and I think (not sure) that his contract is up soon so he would be a bargain. He is also big which would make him deal well against the strong defenders in the Premiership, but still I do not think he is the type that would appeal to Mr. Ferguson.

4- Adriano

Once labeled as the best player in the world, the Brazilian is 26 years old and when he is on form, he is simply unstoppable. During the past 2 seasons, Adriano failed miserably and had lots of problems off the field which reflected on his playing form. After a loan spell in Brazil, where most Brazilians on the downfall recapture their shape (Edumndo, Denilson, Oliveira, Luis Fabiano to name a few), Adriano proved that he is back to his electric structure and is now leading the attack line for Dunga's Brazil. He is loved by Massimo Moratti, but the fans are not so keen on having him back, yet Mourinho is. He wanted him before while in charge at Chelsea, and now he is more eager to work with him. Also Adriano would want to prove that Mancini (ex Inter's coach) was mistaken to drop him.

5- Sergio Aguero

The new Maradona as they label him. Or let’s say the best player on the planet in the eyes of Maradona. Aguero is a sensational player. Only 20 years of age and already grabbing the headlights; this rightfully earned him La Liga’s best player in the season. There is not so much to write about the kid as his international experience is limited, but if there is a chance to get this kid, then it is now or never. Brining him would be a masterful coup and would be the transfer of the summer, unless Ronaldo gets shipped to Madrid. Atletico will not sell him cheaply; he might cost almost 40 million pounds. The club reached the Champions League and they wouldn’t want to lose their best player before they start one of their biggest seasons in years. They would also not want to be labeled as a selling club, mainly after selling Torres to Liverpool last summer.

6- Michael Owen

I do not need to say more or give an introduction. Owen will be 29 in December, and last season despite missing a big chunk of it he still managed to grab 11 goals for an average Newcastle side that changed 2 managers throughout the season. Owen is relatively a short forward but his instinct to goal and the way he heads the ball is second to none. Owen was linked to us last season, and I was surprised we didn’t go for him – especially that he can leave for less than 10 million pounds due to a clause in his contract. We didn’t do badly ourselves as we opted for Tevez who had a very good first season. Owen might look similar on paper to Tevez and Rooney, but we all know he is not. He is a pure centre forward. He had more operations than my head could count, but still he still have the pace and hunger for goal. He proved to get on well with Rooney and this can be no different if he joins United. The fans would love it, particularly because he is an England international and most importantly he represented Liverpool and this would be something the United faithful would daunt the Kop with. He is 9 goals behind England’s top scorer ever: Bobby Charlton and has almost 100 caps to his name.

7- David Trezeguet

Probably the most familiar face in the ones not linked to us, and quite rightly he is the best out of them all. Many consider him lucky and not good enough, but the stats can never be wrong, David Trezeguet has been the most consistent European striker for the past 8 years. Anyone who watches the Serie A would know how good and powerful he is. Trezegol won everything possible for a player to win, apart from the Champions League which is still a dream he's yet to complete. If he wants to go, Juventus will not stand his way, especially that he stood by them when the club got relegated, and his price would be less than most of the names mentioned here. David is 31 years old, but he takes good care of himself and therefore will be efficient and do a good job at Old Trafford. How can we forget the great Teddy Sheringham who was brought at the age of 31 to replace Eric Cantona? And what a player he was, most notably in his last season when he was our top scorer and won player of the year accolades at the age of 35.

There are others very good strikers out there like Eidur Gudjohnsen and John Carew who would do a good job and come on a cheap, but I believe that they are not worth playing for the European champions.

From the players we are linked to I would want Berbatov or Fabiano.

From the players we are not linked to I would want Trezeguet or Aguero.

After stating my thoughts and analysis, I would really want Berbatov or Aguero.

It is about time.

Almost 2 decades of being a devoted fan, and even though I always give my all to the club, but I guess it is about time to do something extra. Even though I've been blogging for 2 years now (elzeek.blogspot.com), yet this blog is sepecifically designed for Manchester United. It will be totally Manchester United. I will update it daily (fingers crossed) with an aspiration of presenting a sovereign, critical and methodical technique to all issues that involves Manchester United.

Just like the trophy below was our first last season, this blog is definitely our first trophy towards next season.