As far as England are concerned, Hodgeson has made us into a laughing stock by persevering with 4-4-2. I felt sorry for Steven Gerrard (something I find incredibly hard feeling let alone admitting) and Scott Parker. They ran their hearts out but it was all in vain as often the opposition outnumbered them 4 to 2. Of course we exited on penalties, it's all in the mind, the weight of History that bored down on their shoulders was always going to be too much. The Germans in their entire history of International Finals have missed 1 solitary opportunity, mentality is key. It's just a shame that captain, hero, legend, John Terry didn't miss another one. Of course the usual vitriol followed, vilifying the United players. Apparently Ashley Young's miss was worse than Ashley Cole's? They both missed, fact! And it was Rooney's fault for missing that over-head kick, he was not up for it and couldn't be bothered. He would have scored that for Man United.......apparently. 'United players lost us the Championships', pathetic. People choose to forget that Rooney and Welbeck were the only England players to score winning goals in the entire tournament. With regard to the rest, the Germans caught the eye and were unlucky to come up against a Mario Balotelli inspired Italy that simply outplayed them. The World Cup finalists, the Dutch, lost every match. Abysmal performance from a team more concerned about their Ferraris and Oil of Olay daily skin routine.
So after the disappointment of losing the title to the Abu-Dhabi Black Gold on goal difference, a Summer of re-building must be on the cards for Sir Alex's men. United have already made the most important signing of the Summer, Nemanja Vidic. Considering he is the captain and United's record with him in the side compared to out of the side is remarkable. Is it unfeasible to think that United wouldn't have got just one more point if Vidic had been fit all season? The Everton game, oh the anguish. If Kompany was missing for the same period, what effect would that have had? What difference would Tevez have made if he hadn't thrown a childish tantrum? Less likely that it would have been positive. Kompany was sensational for City as was Sergio Aguero, Joe Hart and Yaya Toure. The spine of the team is very strong and that will give them an excellent platform to build on in the coming season. However, it looks like the FFP is actually taking effect. We have been accustomed to City blowing the competition away with regard to transfer activity but it has not been the case this Summer. Now it is the turn of Paris St-Germain with the Quatari backed project of inflating the cost of football as much as they can for players to profit.
City are now in a 3 way bidding war with their bitter rivals and Juventus to sign the mercurial striker Robin Van Persie, who has declared he wants to leave Arsenal. A devastating finisher but at 28, how many years does he have left at his peak? 4 maybe 5 years at best. Seems to go against the policy of buying excellent prospects aged 18-23 that Sir Alex has championed over the last few years. Although I have to admit I would love to see him paired with Rooney at Old Trafford. I think it would win United the league even if they didn't strengthen in the area that is crying out for reinforcement, midfield. The signing of Shinji Kagawa is an astute one, not only does he have an excellent scoring and assist record (for a wide player), he will sell shirts in the lucrative far east market. Luckily he's been given the number '26' shirt, doubling the cost to have it printed on replica shirts, coincidence? Nick Powell is an interesting one, at 18 starring for Crewe in the League 1 playoff final is all well and good but if you compare that to Rooney. He was starring for England at Euro 2004 at 17. Maybe that is a bit unfair as players mature at different rates and I'd be delighted if he came good for United this season but that's a very big 'if' at the current moment. Lucas Moura is someone I caught a glimpse of against team GB for Brazil last night. He looks excellent and if his signature is secured along with Van Persie then United will certainly be in the reckoning again when the trophies are handed out in May next year.
One of my blogs cannot go by without mentioning Manchester United's malodorous owners, the double Glazers. They're at it again, this time their (I have to admit, exceptionally clever) financial engineering encompasses an IPO (Initial Public Offering). In the IPO prospectus, the Glazers lay bear their plans to use other people's money (mainly fans) to pay off THEIR debt. Is this what they actually plan to do or is this more smoke and mirrors? From reading other very accomplished blogs on the subject such as 'Andersred' and the 'Swiss Ramble', it seems that the Glazers' hand has been forced. Remember the mysterious PIKs (Payment In Kind loans) that just disappeared in November 2010. All of a sudden the Glazers paid off circa 300 milliion with no explanation whatsoever. As all their other businesses didn't have that kind of capital just 'lying' around then it was widely 'speculated' that the Glazers simply took out another loan and because this was a private loan had no obligation to make this information public. It was hidden away in Delaware, where United's parent company 'Red Football Ltd' is now registered. Delaware in case you didn't know is the most financially secret State in the world. No surprise the Glazers chose this location. Now the Glazers have dramatically changed their attitude and now talk about paying off the debt in order for United to remain competitive. 'Indebtedness' was mentioned 32 times in the IPO prospectus, speaks volumes. Theories abound regarding the PIKs, one is that the interest rate on the new PIKs is due to sky rocket in the near future. This is unless payments are made of course, hence the IPO that allows the Glazers to pay some or all of PIKs 2 off but still remaining in complete control. Unfortunately the only way the Glazers will sell is when they receive an offer in the region £2 billion for the club, don't you just love corporate greed, and that is some way off with Forbes recently valuing Manchester United at £1.44 billion.
The only other way to get rid of the vermin is for Fergie to leave, the team to be unsuccessful and the plastic fans to leave in their droves. This would really test the 'glory' supporter tag, Liverpool still have full houses even with an 8th place finish and no top flight title for over 20 years so it is no guarantee that supporters would dessert the club. I am not keen on seeing United fall from grace just to prove to ABUs (Anyone But United) that all United fans are not 'glory' supporters. Roll on the transfer window roller-coaster, hyped up by Sky Sports News, and the new Premier League season. Abu-Dhabi Dirhams at the ready.....
