Alex Ferguson filmed saying Ronaldo should have started

Walters_19_MuFc

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Did Ronaldo not start against Villa? We were equally as poor, if not worse.

To me, Ronaldo not starting wasn't the issue. Actually, we were winning 1-0 before he was introduced. The issue, as usual, is our inability to peg teams back, have a sustained period of possession (at a high pace) and create numerous opportunities.

We're talking as though Cavani hasn't been a top class finisher throughout his career. However, strikers need chances, and neither of them got that whilst they were on (Cavani had one header).

Personally, I don't think it would have made a difference but because we drew, people will always speculate. Such is life!
 

steffyr2

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If you were a great manager like SAF, I wonder what it's like to watch Utd play at the moment. Nails on a chalkboard?

There might be a storm gathering. Perhaps we're getting a quorum of people who want to win, rather than just participate.
 

RUCK4444

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Did Ronaldo not start against Villa? We were equally as poor, if not worse.

To me, Ronaldo not starting wasn't the issue. Actually, we were winning 1-0 before he was introduced. The issue, as usual, is our inability to peg teams back, have a sustained period of possession (at a high pace) and create numerous opportunities.

We're talking as though Cavani hasn't been a top class finisher throughout his career. However, strikers need chances, and neither of them got that whilst they were on (Cavani had one header).

Personally, I don't think it would have made a difference but because we drew, people will always speculate. Such is life!
I agree on the whole. Everton are pretty good defensively, had two good holding midfielders putting a shift in as well, we didn’t play well but aside from a crap error (again!) we would have won it and Cavani’s was a guilt edged chance that he puts away 9 times out of 10.

Again, we didn’t play great but in the grand scheme of things Ronaldo starting doesn’t guarantee the win. Cavani was due a start, what should we do just condemn him to the bench every game?
 

CG1010

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Haha.
It’s getting ridiculous. Ronaldo is not the Ronaldo of 2008. Some fans are so deluded. It’s not a signing Utd needed, but now we have him, it’s going to cause so many problems. I’m sure Ronaldo will be a good squad player, but to suggest he needs to start every game is a joke.

As for Fergie saying he should have started, doesn’t mean Ole was wrong. It’s just an opinion of someone who chose Moyes to be the manager of Utd.
Firstly Fergie is a lot more than someone who chose Moyes:houllier:

Having said that, I do think either Fergie made the comment in an off the cuff fashion or he is wrong here. Ronaldo shouldn't be starting every game at his age. And we have struggled to get going regardless of him in the team, its a tactical issue at the moment.
 

Hughie77

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It's something or nothing, but as usual it's a big deal, 1st thing on Radio this morning this was, nothing on the 2 refs suspended for there useless, officiating in Athletico v Milan game, or even the spitting incident on Sunday at Anfield. The biggest agenda Is man utd as always, it's creates a headline that's it.
 

Josh 76

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Firstly Fergie is a lot more than someone who chose Moyes:houllier:

Having said that, I do think either Fergie made the comment in an off the cuff fashion or he is wrong here. Ronaldo shouldn't be starting every game at his age. And we have struggled to get going regardless of him in the team, its a tactical issue at the moment.
Of course he is a lot more than the one who chose Moyes.

I was trying to make the point that what Fergie says, is not gospel!
 

Lee565

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Signing ronaldo could very well end up being ole's downfall, we already seeing neville siding more with Ronaldo than ole over this past weekend and if a real power struggle happens between Ronaldo and ole then it will only end in tears for ole which is likely as Ronaldo's ego is not going to allow him to take being benched for cavani or martial with humility.
 

Winrar

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I always wonder where we would be if Fergie never retired and had to challenge with Liverpool and City dominating the league with 95+ points for couple season... ultimately meaningless to think about but can't ever shrug off the feelings of "what if..."

Even this season I wonder if he'll do a Scholes and come back to the fray for a few more seasons and see if that will change anything. Of course it's futile to think of something like that happening and I respect his wishes to retire in peace, but again, just what if...
 

hungrywing

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Ole needs to tread very lightly when he is inevitably asked about this next presser. Best strategy is looking straight ahead with a frozen grin, until time runs out.
That'll work for the T-Rex since its vision is based on movement, but what about after SAF makes the T-Rex cry and run home and then comes for Ole.
 

Ronaldo's ego

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This wasn’t some scheduled talk or interview with a journalist, he was having a quick chat with a legend from a completely different field and all he said is you should start your best players. I think he’s got enough credit in the bank at United to be allowed the say that.
 
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I believe we're on the same wavelength; that wavelength being the one where we get to watch Michael Oliver think reaaaaaal hard about pulling out a yellow card while doing his best not to look Rex in the eye.
Or the ref is Moss and the Trex eats him.

Not in one go obviously, even a Trex couldn't eat all of Moss in one go.
 

Sviken

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I always wonder where we would be if Fergie never retired and had to challenge with Liverpool and City dominating the league with 95+ points for couple season... ultimately meaningless to think about but can't ever shrug off the feelings of "what if..."

Even this season I wonder if he'll do a Scholes and come back to the fray for a few more seasons and see if that will change anything. Of course it's futile to think of something like that happening and I respect his wishes to retire in peace, but again, just what if...
Well, given the squads he won titles with, I'd reckon with the 1 billion Ole, Van Gaal and Mourinho spent, he'd probably walk the league with his eyes closed. Possibly a CL or two, as well.
 

gerdm07

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I don't think Ronaldo should have been subbed at 55'. Ole should have waited till 70 or so.
 

stw2022

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Of course he is a lot more than the one who chose Moyes.

I was trying to make the point that what Fergie says, is not gospel!
Isn’t that a bit like making the point that every animal isn’t a giraffe? Surely there should be some agreed starting point where things that everyone knows doesn’t have to be pointed out. For example I’ll assume everyone knows that I’m not writing this in Arabic, so I’ll probably not point that out
 
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Signing ronaldo could very well end up being ole's downfall, we already seeing neville siding more with Ronaldo than ole over this past weekend and if a real power struggle happens between Ronaldo and ole then it will only end in tears for ole which is likely as Ronaldo's ego is not going to allow him to take being benched for cavani or martial with humility.
I think it’s less about Neville & SAF siding with Ronaldo Vs Ole, and more about them realising this is a great squad that shouldn’t be playing dire football or dropping silly points.
 
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Isn’t that a bit like making the point that every animal isn’t a giraffe? Surely there should be some agreed starting point where things that everyone knows doesn’t have to be pointed out. For example I’ll assume everyone knows that I’m not writing this in Arabic, so I’ll probably not point that out
You’re not writing it Arabic but we don’t know if you tried taking Arabic, Spanish, Italian, German lessons only for all to be fully booked so then settled on writing in English. With SAF we know Moyes wasn’t his first choice and was closer to last resort after, so those that use the “SAF chose Moyes” slur are being intellectually dishonest with the truth.
 

SirScholes

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Sir Captain Hindsight. You could see the logic in not starting him given recent weeks and how Cavani has been pushing to start.
Scores in almost every game and had just scored us a last minute winner? I see absolutely no logic at all other than Ole tying to be Billy Big Bollocks
 

Jim Beam

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The only questionable thing was subbing Cavani that early imo. Wouldn't read too much into this conversation.
 

BlueHaze

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For the reason the title says Alex Ferguson instead of Sir Alex Ferguson this thread should get banished to the pits of tartarus.
 

Maciej

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I can't believe that such a thread is on its fifth page.

Some people really need a break when we lose or draw a game.
 

pocco

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The fact that apparently we can't beat a depleted Everton side at home without starting a 36 year old striker, who we had no intention of signing until late in the window (because we didn't want him going to City), is more of an issue than the team selection itself. It's pretty disingenuous of Ferguson though, he rotated his squad relentlessly including in much bigger games than a home league game in early October. I mean he didn't start Cole, Yorke or Giggs in the '99 semi final replay for instance (Scholes also didn't start but he tended to be on the bench more often in the big games than the other three).
Damn I was young in 99 but I can't ever remember or imagine Scholes being benched. In favour of who? Butt and Keane?
 
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I can't believe that such a thread is on its fifth page.

Some people really need a break when we lose or draw a game.
if you don’t like it don’t comment. Some of us can read how power messages are sent. Some us, including me, are happy that the legend and only footballing person we have as a director is now starting to apply some pressure.

I appreciate that many Ole fans might not be happy, but Manchester United fans regardless of their views on ole might just want to discuss. This isn’t North Korea and Ole isn’t Kim Jong-Un, no matter how much some might revere him.
 

Tapori

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All I will say is that even the great Sir Alex Ferguson would have "Fergie Out" die-hards, had social media been around the days of Djemba-Djemba .
 

Tapori

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if you don’t like it don’t comment. Some of us can read how power messages are sent. Some us, including me, are happy that the legend and only footballing person we have as a director is now starting to apply some pressure.

I appreciate that many Ole fans might not be happy, but Manchester United fans regardless of their views on ole might just want to discuss. This isn’t North Korea and Ole isn’t Kim Jong-Un, no matter how much some might revere him.
What did he mean by this?
 
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I don’t think disagreeing with a decision is undermining. It’s also said in hindsight so could just be him agreeing a mistake was made.
I disagree. While we don’t have the full interview, if you look at it Khabbib tries to change it with “he started the second half” then SAF continued and reinforced it before looking down in to express disappointment in the results.

I honestly think he was making a point. And I do not disagree, because someone has to send the message that we have to challenging and can’t continue with the same pattern as last season. .
 

Dve

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Ronaldo FC. What have we become.

He is 36. He isn´t going to play every game. Ole normally asks his players how they feel after such limited recovery time, and for all we know, Ronaldo himself told his legs were heavy.

And Ferguson was famous for his rotation system, so this "you should always play your best players"... Well. You get the impression this Ronaldo thing has become a bit too personal for him.
 

pocco

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I agree on the whole. Everton are pretty good defensively, had two good holding midfielders putting a shift in as well, we didn’t play well but aside from a crap error (again!) we would have won it and Cavani’s was a guilt edged chance that he puts away 9 times out of 10.

Again, we didn’t play great but in the grand scheme of things Ronaldo starting doesn’t guarantee the win. Cavani was due a start, what should we do just condemn him to the bench every game?
Doucoure isn't a holding midfielder and had been a threat in attack this season. He got the assist with a trademark run from midfield.
 

pocco

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I disagree. While we don’t have the full interview, if you look at it Khabbib tries to change it with “he started the second half” then SAF continued and reinforced it before looking down in to express disappointment in the results.

I honestly think he was making a point. And I do not disagree, because someone has to send the message that we have to challenging and can’t continue with the same pattern as last season. .
Fergie was having none of it when Khabib made the point about him being subbed on :lol: Like you said the glance down was basically him saying "this is what happens".

We did inexplicably rest our top goalscorer and assist maker right before an international break.
 
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Leftback99

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He obviously didn't realise he was being filmed, however:

1. SAF himself didn't always start his best players.

2. We were arguably worse with Ronaldo on the pitch and leading before he came on.

3. The idea that we are far better with Ronaldo on the pitch compared to our other options doesn't have any real basis yet.
 

gibers

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Am I missing something? He said you should always start your best players.

This is coming from a man that rotated heavily and even benched Ronaldo in his prime....:lol:

Ronaldo can't start every game. It's common sense, he's almost 37 and does the least pressing out of every forward in the top 5 leagues both this season and last season as well.
 

Winrar

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Well, given the squads he won titles with, I'd reckon with the 1 billion Ole, Van Gaal and Mourinho spent, he'd probably walk the league with his eyes closed. Possibly a CL or two, as well.
We would definitely have won trophies with what we have in the time Ole was in charge if it was Fergie instead.