My Captain

Soon Moyes  ...... and his team will have to make one of their toughest decisions, naming the next Manchester United Captain. This captaincy is not an easy job and its definitely not as glamorous as it looks. It has its moments, lots of them actually, and it has its bad side; if being worshipped by millions of people from every corner of this world is a problem for you, then this is the worst job you can ever imagine.

I don't have a say (YET) on who will be our next Captain. But looking back at some Captains I still love and adore, here are five qualities our next Captain needs to have:

Ready or Not: Arsenal

No better way to start this post than with that photo of van Persie!

Arsenal are facing United for the 217th time. They have enjoyed only 17 wins of the 103 matches at the Theatre of Their Nightmares Dreams scoring 87 goals and conceded 192. That is an impressive +105 goal difference!

After this match, the best we can do is second place while the worst is tenth place. Well, coming from the bottom half just a few weeks ago that says a lot about our current form.

Arsenal should not be taken lightly though. Top of the league while leaving second placed Chelsea five points behind says enough about their Ozil form.

A Derby To Forget

It will get better.

There is absolute nothing I want to remember about yesterday. Rooney's goal was a beauty but if I have to go through four very painful events to get to it, then No thank you, I'll pass.

I wish I could call Damon the vampire and he could do that vampire thing he does to make people forget.

But I will just have to live with it. Besides, If I forget that bad experience I will not fully appreciate and celebrate the better days that are surely coming.

SAF in 2009: Moyes is the Best

Back in 2009 club's website collected questions from celebrities that were directed towards Sir Alex.

Here is one of them which is also proof that Sir Alex believed in Moyes since then;

Who do you think is the best manager in the Premier League in terms of man-management and making the most of the resources available to him? Eamonn Holmes, TV presenter

They Got My Attention; @ManUtd, Rio, Young Rafael & Fabio + Varela

 By: @Zamaradi_M

 1.@ManUtd

New era and new rules... Yaaaay

At last we have an official Manchester United twitter account. Was launched yesterday and is quickly approaching 500K followers. With MUFC being the most popular football club in the world, I can confidently say, Move over Bieber and Gaga, we have a new Twitter Ruler!

@MUFCTanzania asked how long it will take for @ManUtd to reach 1M followers, I said TWO days. And I am still standing by my answer.

The account is pretty decent. A few first tweets and we can all see that we are in for the ride of our lives! The tweets are fresh, up to date and not just some boring stats and quotes!

So, should we expect the return of Zam Persie? Especially with the fact that @Persie_Official was the first account @ManUtd followed? By the way, they are not following Rooney and Rio YET! I can already see a new chapter in the Rooney madness once 'media' get hold of this useless info.

With this account, stalking keeping up with Manchester United has never been easier! Like right now I know that Moyes and other senior officials visited the King of Thailand.
 

Bugs Bunny Pyjamas

I came accross these photos and had a mission to find out what was the story/reason behind. The closest I came was the story from The Daily Mail..

Only useful info there was that they were worn by five players on a flight to Qatar January, 2013.

The players spotting these pyjamas were Zam Persie, Buttner, Powell, Anderson and Evra. That list makes this case even harder! That list has defenders, midfielder, forward, senior, juniors and the mid-aged! No similarities!

The case is still under investigation and ANY information will be appreciated. If someone out there has any info please call us on email us on manutdtanzania@yahoo.com

Here is the evidence we have collected so far;

Here is Ando, Scholes and Giggs. Why are Giggs and Scholes in matching shirts AND they are not similar to those of Ando & Co.?

THEORIES:

Since it was a team building exercise they were going to have, may be matching outfits was part of it. To prove this we will still need more evidence.

Lead Investigator: @Zamaradi_M

They Got My Attention: Moyes, Sir Alex, Vidic + Rio

By: @Zamaradi_M

 

1. David Moyes

He had all my attention! First press conference as MUFC manager, which in my humble and very unbiased opinion, couldn't go any better!

On Baba Kai:

They already had that talk in which he told Rooney about the possibilities of overtaking Sir Charlton's goalscoring record. Rooney is only 52 goals away.

And it is now official that Rooney is not for sale and will continue to play for Manchester United. He didn't say for how long but fact that he will be there next season is all we care about. Where will he be in the 2014/2015 season? We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

On Sir Alex:

Sir Alex does not intimidate Moyes. In fact, he hopes the former Boss will be sitting at the Director's box!

On Scholes:

Moyes spent two hours on the phone with Paul Scholes who wants time to be with his family before he decides what to do but he has also been told that there will always be a place for him at Manchester United. Duh, like he didn't know!

By the way, two hours talking with Scholes! I bet he just broke one of Sir Alex's records right there and definitely set a new world record. Scholes talking for two hours! Impressive.

On Cristiano:

"This club is always interested in the best players."

And since Ronaldo is the best player then Manchester United is interested in him. And since Ronaldo is also interested in us ........ (you can figure out the rest of this story.)

Me: This guy really did his homework!

On Alcantara new signings:

Asked if he will have a new player before the pre season tour (between July 13th to August 6th) he didn't make any promises but said he'll try. Well, we can live with that.

On Classic quotes:

One of my worries was definitely cleared yesterday. You know those classic Sir Alex's quotes that we thought we were going to miss. Relax, Moyes got that part covered too. And just to give you a taste of what he has in store for us;

"I come to a club where success is tattooed across its badge."

 How about this?

"Old Trafford is the place you want to go."

Me: Moyes, how did you know? Of course it is THE place I want to go.

 Source: Headquarters

 

 

2. Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex was not at the press conference but the way Moyes replayed how he was offered the job, you just couldn't ignore Sir Alex!

I love how Sir Alex was Sir Alex when he first told him that he is going to be the next MUFC Manager. Apparently, Sir Alex asked him to his house which Moyes expected was to tell him that 'I am going to take one of your players.' This got me asking, so, Sir Alex did this when he was taking Rooney? Called Moyes and told him, 'I am going to take Rooney.' How bossy!

Okay, enough with recreating pasts. When Sir Alex told Moyes that he was going to retire this is how it all went down;

Sir Alex: I am going to retire.

Moyes: Yeah, when? *with I had that before look on his face*

Sir Alex: Next week.

Moyes: *Surprised face*

Sir Alex: And you're the next Manchester United Manager.

So, Sir Alex made Moyes an offer he couldn't wouldn't refuse! And that 'You're the next Manchester United manager' was so final! Like Moyes didn't have a choice. How could you blame him, it's Manchester United, we call you answer.

Me: Thank you Sir Alex for everything and thank you for Moyes.

 Source: Headquarters

3. Nemanja Vidic

Two things about Vidic, I like how he plays with no fear and the way he commands with just his presence, we couldn't possibly have a better Captain.

And the second thing is, don't we all agree that he could make one scary gangsta?

Back to non-fiction, as expected Captain Vidic was there for Moyes' press conference. He talked about the respect they had for Moyes even when he was with Everton, how players are excited to work with him and how they will do whatever they can to make sure that Moyes achieves what he wants to achieve with MUFC. I like that they put their desires aside and work on Moyes' and that they want to impress him. And since Moyes wants to win trophies, well, then trophies we are going to get.

Vidic also said that he has spoken with Rooney but it was not about his future. Could it be because his future will be just as his present which means no need to waste precious time on that?

And on Rooney he said;

"He's in very good shape, the best shape in the last five years."

I think this quote needs a little bit of explanation. What Vidic meant was the way he sees Rooney at training, he is in his best shape of the past five years. He did not mean that 2012/2013 was Rooney's best season in five years. Because that, even I would question!

Source: Sportsmole  and goal.com

Do you remember this look?

NOTE: These They Got My Attention posts are not a daily thing. I post when I can and of course when I want. Just don't expect a daily fix.

Scholes says no to Corruption!

By: @MUFCTanzania

Matt Lawton of the Daily Mail secured an interview with Paul Scholes. Knowing what was waiting for him, a very quite and private interviewee he decided to bring a very expensive watch as a gift to get Scholes to loosen up a bit.

The plan did not work as Matt explains;

"But he took one look at the watch, thanked me for it and then drew my attention to the cheap digital Nike one on his wrist. 'If it's all the same to you I'll probably stick with this one.'"

Read the full story here.

2012/2013 Report

Most Appearances

Robin Van Persie	48
Michael Carrick	46
Patrice Evra	42
David De Gea	41
Rafael Da Silva	40
Antonio Valencia	40
Danny Welbeck	40

 

 

Top Goal Scorers

Robin van Persie	30
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez	18
Wayne Rooney	16
Shinji Kagawa	6
Ryan Giggs	5

Most Man of the Match Nominations

Rafael da Silva	19
Robin van Persie	17
Wayne Rooney	17
Michael Carrick	16
Patrice Evra	15

Most Man of the Match Awards

Wayne Rooney	9
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez	6
Robin van Persie	6
David de Gea	4
Ryan Giggs, Rafael da Silva, Phil Jones, Shinji Kagawa	3

 

Total votes

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez	62,542
Robin Van Persie	54,184
David De Gea	41,176
Wayne Rooney	37,687
Shinji Kagawa	32,283

 

Most Player of the Month Points 

Robin van Persie	46
Michael Carrick	44
David de Gea	34
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez	34
Shinji Kagawa	32

 

 

Most Over-all points

Robin van Persie	133
Michael Carrick	115
Wayne Rooney	111
Rafael da Silva	98
David de Gea	86

  

 

Most yellow cards

Paul Scholes	10
Rafael da Silva	8
Wayne Rooney	7
Antonio Valencia	7
Patrice Evra	5

Who is Paul Scholes?

 

 A role model

Edgar Davids;

"Every one of us (mid fielders) is just trying to become as good as him. Everyone can learn from Paul Scholes."

Cesc Fabregas;

"He is the one whose level I aspire to."

 Jack Wilshere;

"Paul Scholes, what a player! Top class and a great role model for any young English midfield player."

Xavi Hernandez;

"Paul Scholes! A role model for me - and I really mean this."

Ronadlinho;

"I want to pass like him. Who taught him how to do that?"

Wayne Rooney;

"His touching, passing, vision, composure is outstanding. I try to copy him."

Dream player for every manager

SAF;

"Everywhere I go the coaches all tell me Sholesy is the player they admire. But if they think they'll get him they're wasting their time. He loves the club and there is no chance of him leaving here."

Marcello Lippi;

"Paul Scholes would have been one of my first choices for putting together a great team."

Fabio Capello;

"It's a shame he is not available for England. If he was, he'd be the first name in my squad."

Pep Guardiola;

"Out of everyone at Manchester United, I would pick out Scholes."

Jose Mourihno;

"For me, one of the best in midfield. Manchester United are lucky to have him."

 The best of the best

George Best;

"The boy can play. He is the best."

 Dennis Law;

"He is the best all around. A joy to watch."

Steve Bruce;

"He is the most complete footballer in the country. The best bar none."

Eric Harrison;

"When he played in the junior sides he used to have his own personal fan club that would come just to watch him!"

Ryan Giggs;

"I've played with some great players during my time at United but I would have to put Paul Scholes down as the best."

Laurent Blanc;

"I tell everyone who asks me - Scholes is the best English player."

 Dimitar Berbatov;

"Nobody else in the world can play the way Scholes does. The passes he produces all over the field and the way he changes the game is brilliant."

Edgar Davids;

"I am not the best, Paul Scholes is."

Dennis Bergkamp;

"Paul Scholes - He is the master."

Darren Flether;

"We won't ever see another one like Paul Scholes. He is a legend and a real benchmark."

Thierry Henry;

"He had indestructible mental strength and he is a genuine competitor. Without any doubt the best player in the Premiership."

Terry Venables;

"He's the best one or two touch passer in the country. He sees the game unlike any other player."

Gordon Strachan;

"Paul Scholes has been the best England midfield player for 30 odd years. When the ball arrives at his feet, he could tell you where every player on that pitch is at that moment. His awareness is superb."

Peter Schmeichel;

"He has an eye for a pass, for what the play or game needs at that precise moment, that I have never seen anyone else have."

 Xavi Hernandez;

"He is the best central midfielder I've seen in the last 15 - 20 years."

Pep Guardiola;

"He is the best midfielder of his generation."

Gerard Pique;

"One of the best players I've ever seen in my life."

 SAF;

"One of the greatest football brains Manchester United has ever had."

 

 

Great lad

Sir Bobby Charlton;

"I love him as a person. He is a great lad." 

Cristiano Ronaldo;

"He helped me a lot when I was young. He is amazing."

Super Roy Keane;

"No celebrity bullshit, no self promotion -  an amazingly gifted player who remained an unaffected human being."

Evidence that he is an unchanged human being! See his hair style compared to Becks'!

In case you still don't believe!

 

Footballers' favorite celebrity

   

Alan Shearer;

"If you ask footballers to pick out the player they most admire, so many of them will pick Paul Scholes."

Luis Figo;

"I'm star-struck when I see Paul Scholes because you never see him. On the pitch you can't see him. Off the pitch he disappears." 

 Xabi Alonso;

"When I was at Liverpool he was one of the players I liked most. I admire him a huge amount."

Micah Richards;

"He is my favorite player of all time - unbelievable!"

Patrick Vieira;

"The player in the Premiership I admire the most? Easy - Paul Scholes."

Zinedine Zidane;

"I never tire of watching him play. One of my regrets is that the opportunity to play alongside him never presented itself during my career."

 

 Talk of the World

David Beckham;

"At Real Madrid, the players (including Zidane , Raul, Figo, Roberto Carlos, Casillas) always said to me; 'What's he like?'"

 Xavi Hernandez;

"I've spoken to Xabi Alonso about him. He's spectacular, he has it all. Players love him"

Lionel Messi;

"At La Masia, his name was mentioned a lot. He is a teacher. He is an inspiration."

 

Feared by The Gunners

 

Anybody who can do this to Vidic gotta be feared by everybody!

Thierry Henry;

"Every time we played against Manchester United we always used to be scared of Paul Scholes."

 Emmanuel Petit;

"At Arsenal, me and Patrick (Vieira) did not want to face Scholes. We would avoid him."

Thank you Paul Scholes.

Who gets the rights to Scholes shirt?

By: @MUFCTanzania

Before a Champions League final at Wembley in 2011 while every player was preparing for the match, FIVE Barcelona stars were already having a match of their own.

As it happened Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Pedro Rodriguez, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta all wanted to swap shirts with Paul Scholes after the game! They had to draw straws in which Iniesta won. The gentlemen's agreement was honored and right after the last whistle Iniesta asked Scholes for his shirt!

Scholes shirt is now safely hanging on one of the walls at Iniesta's house.

Read the full story here

Giggs doesn't seem impressed with Scholes in Barca's colors!

A very sad say, that was. Fabio is like, 'WTF Uncle Paul?'

This is another day! Does Iniesta have a wall in his house special for Scholes' shirts?

2012/2013 season in pictures....

Signing of the season. Robin van Perfect himself!

MUFC shirt, Real Madrid scarf and a banner asking Ronaldo to come back and not score! How could Ronaldo break this kid's heart, and mine, and yours?

Number One at work! This save away to Real Madrid on February 13th is definitely one to be framed! 

Young Rafael at work!

SAF and his football God son after a Champions League clash at Bernabeu.

And about fathers, Little cute Lenny walking to the pitch with his father, our captain, players' DJ Evra during a league home game against Manchester City. How proud was 'Daddy' Evra!

On March 5th, Giggs made his 1000th appearance for both club and country. Here he is presented with No. 23 shirt to mark his 23rd consecutive appearance in MUFC's and league's top flight score sheet.

Nani reacting to his red card against Real Madrid. Was this the moment that cost us a spot in the Champions League quarter finals? We will never know!

The only red card in the league this season, to Young Rafael.

How do you forget RvP running to lift SAF when he scored after a ten matches drought?

Robin is just so full of energy! Anyways, anybody would lift Rooney if they received such an assist for what is a contender for the goal of the season (Robin's second goal against Aston Villa).

8th May 2013. 

9th May 2013.

Sir Alex walking to the pitch for his last ever match at Old Trafford as a manager.

Bring on the Champions!

Loved Young Rafael's T-shirt! What a tribute! It has the word 'THANK YOU' on top then a photo of him hugging SAF.

Chicharito's celebration were exceptional! I think he spent more time near the trophy than anybody else!

The Genius and The Godfather! Thank you and we will miss you.

Finally!!

The only reason this photo is in this list is because De Gea smiled! We all know how rare that smile is!

SAF's very last game as MUFC's coach! With Lindegaard's perfomance, De Gea had to scream some senses into him!

Scholes played his last game against West Brom. And how does Scholes bow out? With a yellow card. Stayed true to his style till the very last game. Respect.

We will end this post with a quote from Rio Ferdinand;

"We got OUR trophy back and we wanna win more. Next season we gon keep this trophy, don't worry about it."

A promise is a promise, right? Bring on 2013/2014!

MUFC Chronicles

Cristiano Ronaldo; 

"When we were in training, I used to do a lot of tricks which not many of the other payers could do. Once I was showing my skills to Scholes. After I finished, Scholes took the ball and pointed at a tree which was about 50m away from were he was standing. He said, 'I'm going to hit it in one shot.' He kicked it and hit first time. He asked me to do the same, I tried 10 times, but couldn’t hit it with that accuracy. He smiled and left."

WHY US? reason 4 & 5

By: @MUFCTanzania

Why did we bring home Title Number 20?

For reason one please go here and for reason two and three click here.

Here is reason 4 & 5 and the final version of this post....

4. The Youngsters

As the season started we had De Gea, Anderson, Buttner, Kagawa, Powell, Cleverley, Evans, Chicharito, Young Rafael, Smalling, Jones and Welbeck who were all between 18 and 24 years old. That is 13 regular players who were all below 25. 

The hunger in these boys was seen through out the season. Young Rafael was so good that he was entrusted with probably one of the two hardest tasks for any defender in the football world now, marking Cristiano Ronaldo, and he did that TWICE! Chicha came from the bench most of the times but he scored almost same number of goals as Rooney, The Red Samurai Kagawa got us wanting to sing in Japanese! It's the hunger to succeed, the need to improve, the desire to win, the determination to make history that made this group of youngsters very crucial to our 20th title. And we are looking forward to even bigger things next seasonS.

Flying high....

 

5. The Seniors' Wisdom

They might not play with speed but what they lack there they more than make up for it with experience. It's the experience that provides calmness especially in big games. And if they are not playing as much, they are showering the youngsters with wisdom and inspiration. 

We have Giggs, Scholes, Vidic, Evra, Rio and Carrick. These are players some team mates used to watch and idolize. These are the players some team mates were told to look up to by their childhood coaches. These are legends who can tell a 20 something team mate what makes a legend at MUFC. They are the players who tell stories of Lee Sharpe, Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes, Nick Butt, Eric Cantona, Paul Ince, Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Gary Nevile, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Peter Shmeichel, Fabien Barthez, the super sub Ole-Gunnar Solksjaer, Teddy Sheringham, Wes Brown, Quinton Fortune, Roy Keane, David Beckham and many other legends (excuse me with all the names, it's not my fault we have so many great players). 

And they don't just tell stories they have heard, they tell the stories they have seen or in some cases, the lives they have lived. They tell youngsters of the legendary 1998/1999, not from what they have read, but from memories as they played in that historic season.

 

Bringing in the experience