Fergie's surprise - trick or treat??

Friday August 15th and one day to go before the Premiership season starts again. Alex Ferguson ended the press conference with a wry smile and a promise every supporter loves to hear – a surprise within a couple of days.

Now, even without encouragement, football fans are a talkative bunch. This ‘surprise’ sent us into overdrive though. By Saturday lunch time there were numerous rumours we had signed any number of world class players, or, maybe, we had a new assistant? Or both?

I am not even bothering to acknowledge today’s result. I have convinced myself that the season actually starts at Fratton Park next week. Like Arsene Wenger when one of his players has attempted another kung fu style tackle, I am blinkered and in denial. It’s now Monday and my sole focus is on this surprise.

Where and what is it?

Since the press conference there have been a few surprises which I am sure Ferguson wasn’t referring to. I hope it’s not any of these anyway.

The first could be that we are going back to the mid 90’s and giving youth a chance. Possebon, Da Silva and Gibson to be the next Neville, Scholes and Beckham? (admittedly in preseason Possebon and the Da Silva boys look as though they could become very good players – just not yet).

Perhaps Sam Allardyce, who, apparently was in the ground today is going to be Fergie’s number 2?

Maybe, Ferguson pre-empted today’s performance and was merely warning fans to expect a surprisingly dismal display.

Or if this ‘surprise’ has taken place in the last couple of days then perhaps it is that we aren’t going to sign anyone after all – surprise indeed!!

Later highlights of the game showed Ronaldo who appeared to be texting on his phone. After seeing the substitutes and the performance maybe this was a ‘damsel in distress’ message to Ramon Calderon. It was certainly a surprisingly lacklustre performance, I mean, United against Newcastle has been a guaranteed 3 points in recent years.

The most likely surprise appears to be that United are due to publicly announce a lucrative sponsorship deal and that the Berbatov deal will finally go through. Hardly a surprise though, it’s a bit like knowing what your Christmas present is and then trying to act surprised. Either that, or there is a tactical revolution on the way – as interesting as it was, it’s not often a team plays 6 defenders at home.

Wouldn’t it be nice though, if, just once when a manager promises a surprise it turned out to be an absolute cracker. Anyway, roll on next week – can’t wait for the season to start.

Craig Malpas

Comments

[Simon]

Oli Winton, please reply - I eagerly anticipate your response to my question. How do you know Wayne Rooney never has more than one drink on a night out???

[Simon]

Oli, how do you have any idea how much Wayne Rooney drinks on a night out?? Are you friends??

[Oli Winton]

Duncan, I agree Rooney's form is a little concerning but I wouldn't put it down to booze and cigs. Firstly, he never has more than one drink on a night out- he is extremely professional in that sense. Secondly, a few cigs won't do much harm- he is not smoking 20 a day and his workrate is still vastly more than most players.

[Duncan]

I am worried about the form of Rooney. I think we were carrying him towards the latter end of last season and he seems to be misfiring. His body language is all wrong. Does he need to lose a few pounds to be at the top of his game? I think the smoking and drinking lifestyle doesn't help either. I am beginning to think he has peaked to early and could end up like Norman whiteside if he doesn't get going again. Don't get me wrong: I like Rooney but he is nowhere near fulfilling his potential.

[Jim]

United were missing some important players on Sunday as indeed were Chelski. Pompey however were scared of Chelski and eventually just gave up and rolled over. Newcastle are a very different proposition this season, Keegan has made some excellent signings and has a lot of quality in his squad. If United and Chelski's opposition had been switched - United would have won 4-0 and Chelski might have got a draw.

[sjnhasan]

take tony adam (ex arsenal cptn)for astn coach sir alex, you need best astn coach

[Nasser Hussain]

Anything ferguson says should be taken just as nonsense. The conduct of the man at times is disgraceful. How such a man can be knighted is a joke. I can't wait to see the look on his face when the Liverpool dynasty returns in 5 years time !

[RICHARD MAGSON]

These comments are made by so called united fans. they must realize that everyone has a bad day at the office. To mention that campbell is rubbish and that fregie may have lost the plot and should of retired at the top is totally rediculous. Fergie has united in his blood, just as for all us true fans its our religion. We must remember a long distance runner does not blast off from the start but paces himself for a great finish while keeping keeping close to the leaders before he pounces. I thought the performance sunday was a good perfomance just shy of goals and losing players to injury were the only problem. looking forward to having manucho joins when he gets his work permit,there has been good reviews about this striker and yes i agree we maybe need one more but i dont think we should be held to ransome just because we are united. in any case i prefer santa cruz to berbatov either would be a good addition to our fantastic club. keep the faith we will be there when it really counts...
richard

[spursrcrud (arsenal fan)]

How any manure supporters can even think that your manager is past his sell by date needs a shrink and quickly fergie has proven he is the best manager of all time and when he does go all you manure supporters will lament the finest manager Britain has ever known BAR NONE and yes I am an Arsenal Fan but praise due were it belongs

[Dan]

Jade, I don't know what match you were watching, but Campbell was very impressive. I've got high hopes for that boy, and it looks like he may well fulfil them.

[Sam]

The first 2 comments are just ludricous. Firstly Campbell was probably one of the best players on the pitch for us on Sunday, he made himself busy, closed the defender's down, should probably have been on the scoresheet barring Given's reflex save.
To say Fergie should have retired at the top is just daft, we won the double last season after drawing the first 3 games of the season, you need to get a grip....fickle fans are not what we need at our club, I've been through the bad times and the good, and trust me you have it very, very good at the minute and have done so for most of Fergie's time at the club.....

[aloysius]

Ryan should join Keane at Sunderland and I'm concerned about Scholes. He is not scoring from midfield which just highlights his inability to tackle. Carrick is not Ballack or Deco. Anderson and Hargreaves are our best options and without them the team loses its shape. SAF might surprise us with Barry, as he realises we need to strengthen midfield. We need Neville back asap or give Rio the armband, full time. We need someone with Keane's grit galvanising the team. Ronaldo papered over the cracks last season. Now the flaws are obvious and the twins are more cabaret than football. We need cover upfront for the misfiring Rooney. Last season he was a great provider. I expect more of the same this season. I think the Berbatov deal is off. Might SAF bring in someone like Henry/ Robinho or Eto prior to the deadline?. That would be a surprise.

[Frederick Thomas]

To suggest Sir Ferguson should have retired at the top, implies he has had no success since winning the 'Treble' in 1999. Wrestling the Premier League title from Mourinho's grip, not a success? Winning the Champions League last season, not a success? Developing the talents of Cristiano Ronaldo, not a success? Okay the performance on Sunday against Newcastle, wasnt perfect. The scorline, 1-1, certainly didn't send out the message ' We are Champions, Come and beat Us ' but come April and May, Sir Ferguson will be fighting on three fronts, going for the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. If as in 1999, he achieves the 'Treble', then surely that is success. Then maybe, he can bow out at the top.

[Frederick Thomas]

To comment Ferguson should have retired at the top, suggests he has had no success since 1999? So wrestling the Premier League title from Mourinho's grip, not a success? Winning the Champions League last season, not a success? Developing the talents of Cristiano Ronaldo, not a success? Okay, drawing 1-1 with Newcastle, isn't perfect, the performance wasn't anywhere near, but come April and May, the team will be challenging for the League, Champions League, and FA Cup, and if they do win all three, then surely that is success. Then maybe Mr Ferguson, can retire at the top.

[Micky]

We did enough to win on Sunday apart from the goal scoring part. Campbell didn't play that badly, not everyone can be a gun straight away, especially at a team like United. We do need another striker, but that will come in time.

[Shreyans]

very good article craig..
i am with tom on this one...
i think its wrong to judge fergie's plot after what he has done for the club in all these years..
and yes..no need to panic..
rooney wasnt fully fit...tevez and nani will be there....park n hargreaves are likely 2 be fit for game against portsmouth...
anderson will be bak for liv and chelsea...
and my gut feeling is berbatov will join before the pompey game...
so need to worrry just as yet...

[Graham]

Chelsea had Drogba out and Essien suddenly missing - they were pretty poor too weren't they!

[Tom]

First of all, I must say well written Craig.

Secondly, what utter nonsense Simon and Jade.

Simon, Campbell wasn't "rubbish," he simply hasn't played at this level before and needs to adapt. It was unfortunate that he had to be thrusted in like that. Labelling him "rubbish" after one Premiership appearance is not only naive, but down right ignorant.

Jade, if Fergie "maybe should have retired on top," then in theory he should he not have done that back in 99' after the treble?

Yesterday's performance wasn't the best, but to doubt whether Fergie should still be in charge is lunacy.

[Oli]

United have the same team that won everything last year. You don't sign a £28m player because Ronaldo is out for a month, you do it based on the long term. Yes we need cover but the first two comments on this thread are completely over-reactionary- suggesting SAf should have resigned one match after Moscow?!! United could well have won yesterday had Tevez not flown back to Argentina at last minute notice and had Carrick not taken a knock. That left us extremely short. But now we will have Nani, Park, Tevez, Anderson, Hargreaves and more returning over the next few weeks. That makes a big difference, and of course Berbatov would help that even more. Too early to be concerned, especially after the start last season.

[Jade]

Well written, Sundays game was definitely a surprise – we need Ronaldo desperately. Really poor show and maybe Fergie should have retired at the top.

[Simon]

After yesterday we need someone else. Campbell is rubbish, what was Rooney doing. Ferguson needs to get someone in before he loses the plot.