Wed July 31st 2003
So Manchester United haven't got Ronaldinho. Isn't that exquisitely
delicious? They sell David Beckham and expect that they can get just
who they want because of who they are - do you remember Diego Forlan? A
lovely player, really talented. He was going to Middlesbrough - and right
at the last minute Man Utd decide that they want him, waltz in and suddenly
he's going to Manchester. And what has he done at Manchester? Practically
nothing. Recently Leeds have had major problems and have ended up selling
the family silver but finally the manager finds someone he wants and can afford
- the Brazilian Kleberson. Negotiations had been going on a long time
and it was almost all tied up and then suddenly, out of the blue, Man Utd
decide they want him and so guess where he's going? Yes - Manchester.
But they haven't had it all their own way! Firstly Harry Kewell turns
them down and goes to Liverpool (yes, he's part of the family silver sold
off for a pittance by Leeds. Good luck Harry, thanks for the service
you gave to Leeds. You'll be missed). And then, despite much pursuing
by Man Utd, Ronaldinho goes to Barcelona so Man Utd haven't got Beckham and
now they haven't got Ronaldinho either. I'm delighted. David Beckham
- I hope you have a superb season and that it goes really well for you in
Madrid. I also hope that Man Utd really miss you.
But how did Manchester react when Ronaldinho turned them down?
'You've got to be a special player to play for us and Ronaldinho hasn't
got the bottle' - childish or what!
Yes, I know I'm a Leeds fan and so there is perhaps a slight bias
here, but what the hell, it isn't only Leeds fans that don't like Man Utd
- and it's not envy of success, it's a dislike of arrogance. I once
heard a reporter ask a question that the manager didn't like. Ferguson
(the manager) blew his top and said 'you know the rules'. Who the hell
does he think he is. When I meet Man City fans they are often apologetic
and I suggest that they should be defiant - after all, I think Man City are
probably the world's favourite team. You only like Man Utd if you are
a Man Utd fan - if you're not a Man Utd fan many people have a soft spot for
City precisely because they are not United.
Go to it City. You've done really well under Keegan. Let's
see you bring the glory over to the Blue side of Manchester (but not at the
expense of Leeds, of cours)