Good-bye, and Good Luck

It is time for me to stop writing in this blog after three long years. During the past 3 years, I shared my emotions, my anger, my ecstasy, and my disappointments through this blog. Now, I have reached the stage in my life where education takes center-stage, again. It will be extremely difficult, nigh impossible, to continue writing frequently as I have done over the years.

At a moment when loyalty is hard to find (see, Flamini, Hleb, Ronaldo, etc.), football is suffering due to the mercenary nature of footballers, who reckon they are slaves of football clubs, when in reality, it is the other way around. Although an arch-rival of the Gunners, I empathize with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, when he says suggests there is lack of respect among clubs. After building a good team, he finds his players leaving in search of more money this summer.

And then, there is Ronaldo, who believes he is God himself in disguise. At 23, his worst career move would be to move to Real Madrid, when he could achieve greater things at United, with the wily Old Scot to look after him. Moving to Real at his age would be a terrible dampener to his growing football career.

Although I am a bit emotional about not writing again, I will forever remain a fan of Manchester United. I am extremely happy to finish this blog on the highest note, when ManUtd are the reigning English and European Champions!

Classic Ron and Un-Classico Ronnie

As I watched Manchester United's last weekend match against Everton, followed by the el classico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, I could not help but marvel at Ronaldo's brilliance at United and lament the fall of Ronaldinho at Barcelona. As a fan of both United and Barcelona, I want both my clubs to perform well. When Barcelona was winning trophies until just more than a year back, I was hoping United would follow suit.

When United was setting the Premiership on fire last season, I also had to witness the demise of the Catalan club. Will I ever see these two majestic clubs of Europe win their domestic titles in the same season? I guess not, considering the way the Catalan club is witnessing a downturn in its fortunes.

Ronaldo has already scored 17 times this season for United, while Ronnie has hardly made a significant contribution for Barca. I was aghast to say the least, seeing the latter's abject performance in Barca's home loss against Real Madrid.

Just more than 2 years back, Ronnie was given a standing ovation by Real fans for his virtuoso performance at the Santiago Bernabeau. Even last season, he scored about 21 goals for the club. But, what happened to that old Ronnie?

Did all that adulation get to his head? It is rumored that he missed more than 50 percent of the club's training session last season and that he was given preferential treatment by everyone at the club. No doubt, Ronnie was instrumental for Barca's revival but it is far more difficult to keep your act together at the highest level and in that aspect, he would do well to take cue from United legends such as Giggs and Scholes, who continue to perform at the highest level even after several Premiership titles.

On the other hand, Ronaldo is a star on the rise. However, he just has to take one look at the path taken by Ronnie and avoid that path at all costs. He is at a terrific club, surrounded by legends such as Giggs, Neville, and Scholes.

If Ronnie's arrogance was his downfall, Ron's might be his attraction to glamour and a constant craving for attention, reasons why he might quit United in a couple of seasons and head toward Real Madrid.

United would loathe to lose Ron when that time comes, but then no player is greater than the club, a fact being demonstrated by Ronnie at Barcelona.

Kaka - World Footballer of the Year

Kaka - Footballer of the Year

As expected, Kaka beat Messi and Ronaldo to this year's title of World Footballer of the Year. Kaka, already proclaimed the European player of the Year, played an important role in AC Milan's Champions League triumph, scoring 10 goals. He has been a significant player for Brazil as well. Here is a footballer who is a devout Christian, does not revel in night outs or parties, and is a true idol for aspiring footballers throughout the world. Also, he was terrific for AC Milan and inspired them to the World Club Cup win over Boca Juniors, scoring one goal and providing 2 assists in their 4-2 victory.

AC Milan - World Club Champions

I am sure we would see more of Messi and Ronaldo in the coming years. The Champions League and the Euro Championships provides a great platform for Ronaldo, who is determined to win one of the major awards next season. What better way to achieve that than helping ManUtd win this season's CL and EPL title?

The Best to the Greatest

Two for Tevez against Derby

A few weeks back, Sir Alex said that the current ManUtd squad may be the best in his time at Old Trafford and seeing the displays of this team, not many people will doubt his statement. However, it will take trophies to prove his squad is not just the best but the greatest as well. Any ManUtd squad has to measure up to the achievements of the 1999 treble winners.

It was a great effort to qualify top of their Champions League group with one more game yet to be played against Roma away. This gives the opportunity for Sir Alex to rest some of his players ahead of the crucial away match at Anfield next week. Liverpool's loss against Reading this week means that Arsenal are the only unbeaten team in EPL now (update: the Gunners lost at Boro!)

ManUtd are a point behind Arsenal and would have overtaken them if it had not been for the loss at Bolton. However, ManUtd has not been lucky with injuries this season, with Rooney just returning back from ankle sprain and Hargreaves pulling out of the team just before the home match against Derby. Gary Neville has suffered a setback in his injury comeback and other players who remain on the sidelines include Park, Silvestre, Scholes, and Foster.

The newcomers this season - Anderson, Hargreaves, Tevez, and Nani have been very impressive and played some crucial parts in ManUtd's fine form this season. For me, Tevez and Anderson have been the most important players. Tevez has started to combine well with Rooney and Anderson looks like he might dislodge Scholes from the starting lineup earlier then expected.

December is crucial for ManUtd's title aspirations and the players need to put in their best performance in each of the remaining matches this month. And if things do not go as planned sometimes, you can always rely on Ronaldo to save the day.

Ron scores against Fulham

Messiah

ManU was back among the goals at the weekend at home against Wigan. After a difficult first half when O'Shea and Vidic were lost to injuries, ManU came out guns blazing in the second. The attacking trio of Tevez, Ronaldo and Rooney all scored and finally ManU fans could see the some real action after a difficult start to the season. Also, ManU was lucky to escape with all 3 points in the midweek CL match at home against Roma as a result of the latter's profligacy in front of goal.

Meanwhile, Barca has been rather impressive lately, with Messi being proclaimed as the their 'Messiah'. Henry managed a hat-trick last weekend at Levante but Messi has been the more dominant performer for Barca. However, Barca, like ManU, has been struggling with injuries. Their injury list seems to be growing by the day as Puyol, Marquez, Zambrotta, Toure, Edmilson all join Eto'o on the sidelines. Barca take on a revitalized Athletico today at the Camp Nou and this should be an exciting clash. Finally, Barca doesn't need to depend completely on Ronaldinho.

Man, is it U?

Week 6 of EPL and the usual suspects make the top 4 in the Premiership table. Arsenal has been in great form, Liverpool still has away blues, Chelsea seems to stutter and ManU has forgotten they are the reigning Champs. ManU's recent displays against Sunderland and Everton have been inept, to say the least. For a team that was playing great attacking football until a few months back, this is clearly unexpected.

Ever since Saha succumbed to injuries, ManU has looked terrible up front. With Rooney and Ronaldo out, Giggs was paired up front with Tevez and the latter, not being an out-and-out striker clearly struggled with his new role. Ronaldo is back now but was not at his best against Everton. And, can someone please tell Ron he sucks at free-kicks!

Champions League starts mid-week and ManU plays away at Sporting Lisbon. This is a tricky encounter, given the form ManU is in but then I expect Sporting's old boys Ron and Nani to play a huge role at their former stadium.

A few random thoughts...

1. What has happened to Giggs this season? He doesn't look good but then he has been playing up front, rather than in the wings.
2. Silvestre at LB and Evra at left wing? What is Fergie/Carlos thinking? But one consolation...looks like Egghead is out for a long time with an injury he suffered at Everton.
3. Tevez struggles up front but seems an entirely different (much better) player with Saha for company. Hope Saha, the Brittle' stays clear of any more injuries this season.
4. Too early to say this but with Hargreaves in CM, ManU look so different. They are much better at defending but far from the attacking force they were last season. Personally, I would prefer Owen only for games against top clubs and in Europe.
5. Martin Jol's days at Tottenham are numbered now. 40 million+ pounds later, they lose the London derby at home against Arsenal!? Wondering whether we will see Lippi, Koeman or Ramos?

What's Hot and What's Not?

ManU sign Porto's Anderson and Sporting Lisbon's Nani. The duo are dubbed as the new 'Ronaldinho' and 'C.Ronaldo' respectively, in a deal over 40 million pounds. The Hargreaves saga looks like it's finally over with the player set to join ManU in a 17 million pound deal. Well, with the Glazers splashing so much cash, ManU fans can now look forward to no more signings for the next 5 years!

Anelka is linked with ManU in a 8 million pound transfer. I am sure by the time he retires, the total money spent on him by clubs would exceed $1 billion!

Looks like West Ham has won the battle with Newcastle in the race to sign Man City's bad-boy Joey Barton. That's right. Barton is set to sign for Newcastle, having rejected West Ham. Can I hear West Ham fans heaving a sigh of relief?

The most ridiculous transfer news item..."Barca will swap Eto'o with Henry and pay an additional 17 million pounds." That would be the most preposterous transfer ever since Chelsea paid 30 million pounds for striker Shevchenko.

Chelsea have spent just $1 in the transfer market, getting back their on-loan defender Alex back from PSV and have signed on out-of-contract players such as Steve Sidwell and Claudio Pizzaro. However, I can see another 30 million pound signing (definitely a striker) in the offing.

Believe it or not, Wigan has signed on defender Titus Bramble from Newcastle. Let's just say it's the end of Wigan's Premiership hopes and the beginning of Newcastle's!

Steve McClaren has brought back David Beckham into the England squad. Good way to admit to the English fans and the press his team can never score through open play.

Lampard was booed by English fans during friendly draw with Brazil. Yes, only Lamps! Mac finally got some respite.

Ever heard of the player who gave up his dream of being a celebrity chef because it was too stressful and then became one of the most successsful managers of all-time? That's Sir Alex Ferguson for you!

Best Moments of the EPL Season 2006/07

Best match - ManU's destruction of Bolton home and away.

Goals of the season - Drobga's winner over Howard against Everton at Goodison Park and Scholes' cracking volley at Newcastle.

Best team performance - Wigan's final day escapade.

Unsung hero - Everton defender Yobo

Funniest moment - Chelsea's guard of honour for Dong, Eagles, Lee, and co.

The season in 5 words - Exhilarating, Dubious, Ferguson, Tevez, Shocking.

InSane Siro

In one of the best displays in recent years of the Champions League, AC Milan destroyed a tired and jaded ManU. AC Milan put up a great show of possession football and made it look so easy against the top English team. Meanwhile Chelsea faltered at Anfield in a match that was devoid of much excitement, except for the penalties. Just proves teams with rested players play a lot better, and fatigue catches up for some teams after a certain point of time, as it happened for ManU and Chelsea.
Best Players in the Semis -> Kaka, Rooney, Gattuso, Gerrard
Worst Players in the Semis -> Lampard, Heinze, Ronaldo

I think Kaka has pipped Ronaldo for the European and probably even World Player of the Year awards. Kaka has been awesome this season, especially in Europe but then his team's performance in Serie A does not invoke much praise.

La Liga is very close this season. Just one point separates the top 3 - Barca, Real and Sevilla. With in-form Real playing Sevilla this season, things should hot up this weekend.

In Seventh Heaven

What a response by ManU after two consecutive losses! A 7-1 thrashing of Roma in one of the most attacking displays ever in the knockout stages of the Champions League takes ManU to the semifinal meeting with AC Milan and gives them a chance to gain revenge after losing to them 2 years back in the 2nd round stage. Carrick played one of his best ever games in a ManU jersey and I will be surprised if Ronaldo does not win the player of the year honors this year.

A perfect year for English football with 3 teams in the semifinals. Chelsea have a chance to gain revenge over Liverpool and the chance of an all-England Final is pretty good. I have a feeling Chelsea will have their revenge mainly due to their resilience but then Rafa is a master at European games. Now then, who will have the last laugh?

Dream Theatre

ManU regained their 6-point lead after a comeback 4-1 win against Blackburn, while Chelsea scraped to a 1-0 win away at Watford. The Gunners were thrashed 4-1 by Liverpool at Anfield, while relegation candidates Charlton and West Ham managed crucial wins. The relegation battle is getting really interesting and there is a danger that Villa, Fulham might get sucked into it.

The next round of the Champions League starts today after a long break. Milan could only manage a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich at the San Siro while Liverpool scored three away at PSV. ManU plays Roma tomorrow while Chelsea take on Morientes-Valencia.

A few things I couldn't help notice...

Mascherano doing well at Liverpool proving yet again that he's a great midfielder - shows it's just that Alan Pardew and Alan Curbishley were incapable of handling such a top performer! But then, these are English managers, aren't they?

Real Madrid and Barca clashing yet again, this time off the field, for ManU's Cristiano Ronaldo. But apparently, Real is not willing to pay 50 million pounds, when they could splurge close to 50 million on a comparitively older Zidane in 2001.

Roma making too many noises about Ronaldo and diving! Italians talking about diving - now there's something you seldom come across!

Flamini is not happy being on the bench and wants to leave Arsenal and play in the first-team. Something to think about for Silvestre and Darren Fletcher!

Roy Keane-managed Sunderland's unbeaten run in the Championship this year sees them close to the automatic promotion place. 6 more good games and perhaps, we can see Sir Alex and his former protege clashing on the sidelines next year. Roy Keane at Old Trafford in the away bench...that's something no ManU fan would have dreamt of.

Crazy Transfer Rumors

Cristiano Ronaldo to Real for 50 million...that's one among the many worthless rumors doing the rounds lately, thanks to the opening of the winter transfer window. Here are some of the other rumors...

ManU - Owen Hargreaves (yawn!) from Bayern for 17 million GBP, Gareth Bale from Southampton for >3 million, Barton from ManC and Bentley from Blackburn!

Chelsea - Micah Richards from ManC for 20 million, Upson from Birmingham, Sol from Portsmouth, Andrade from Deportivo, Ayala from Valencia.

Liverpool - D.Bent from Charlton, Mascherano from WHam, A.Young from Watford.

Arsenal - Ribery from Marseille, Gareth Bale from Southampton.

West Ham - Matthew Upson, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Mark Viduka.

Other crazy rumors include Crouch to Juventus!