h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Dance on Machester Uniteds grave

Not that I'm biased or anything

The collapse of MAnchester United this year is the best bit of sport since 1995, when united were on course for the double, but blew both in one week, losing the league to Balckburn on the last day of the season and, six days later, losing the FA cup final to my beloved Everton 1-0 (paul Rideout, header, 15 minutes, after Graham Stuart scuffed the easiest shot of the match against the bar. I'VE Still got that match on video.)

Do you think United will get relegated. I hope so. i REALLY do hope so. Or at least finish lowewr than everton and not qualify for europe.

I nominate Fabien Barthez for player of th year.

The collapse of MAnchester United this year is the best bit of sport since 1995, when united were on course for the double, but blew both in one week, losing the league to Balckburn on the last day of the season and, six days later, losing the FA cup final to my beloved Everton 1-0 (paul Rideout, header, 15 minutes, after Graham Stuart scuffed the easiest shot of the match against the bar. I'VE Still got that match on video.)

Do you think United will get relegated. I hope so. i REALLY do hope so. Or at least finish lowewr than everton and not qualify for europe.

I nominate Fabien Barthez for player of th year.

Now *that* deserved saying twice.

What odds on Fergie hitting the golf course before Christmas?

What odds on Fergie hittting Fabien Barthez before christmas?

Well it better not be the other way around, on current form he'd miss

Incidnetally, talking of odds, the bookies have still got them as favourites for the title? Not that I'm completely writing them off but surely a safer bet now would be either Leeds or Liverpool.

Leicester would probably be a safer bet right now for christ's sake!!!

Seems to me that Stam leaving has led to thge complete disintegration of MAn Utd's defence. It makes me feel quite smug that bolton beat united and everton ALMOST beat Bolton. Where are United in the league now? I only normally pay attention to mid-table and they aren't quie down there yet.

Leicester would probably be a safer bet right now for christ's sake!!!

Seems to me that Stam leaving has led to thge complete disintegration of MAn Utd's defence. It makes me feel quite smug that bolton beat united and everton ALMOST beat Bolton. Where are United in the league now? I only normally pay attention to mid-table and they aren't quie down there yet.

Egon, are you seeing double?

Anyway, I heartily agree with the sentiments expressed in this thread. Perhaps MUFC shares will fall in value! Perhaps they'll only be able to launch six new strips this year! There must be worried fans all over the Home Counties!

I think i heard the other day that MU are odds-against for the title for the first time in, well, ages. And they're still second favourites for the European Cup!

I would still make them favourites though, with Leeds in a close second. I tipped Leeds a couple of years ago and they blew up in the New Year but maybe they'll stay the course this time (especially if they keep playing so badly in Europe and so get knocked out).

I'm not seeing double, I just hate university computers which don't respond when I press submit, unless I press it 2 or 3 times, in which case they respond to all 2 or 3.

Utd did well against arsenal didn't they? maybe they should've taken the worthless cup more seriuosly this year, it might have been their only route into europe!

Yes but just remember that last night they played their deputy assistant reserve team, with just a sprinkling of real players. Once they get their defense issues sorted out I confidently expect ManU to start climbing again

Even the Utd reserves would surely have been disappointed at losing 4-0 to what was, after all, largely a second-string Arsenal team. Sure, Arsenal were bound to win, but not by that much.

The big question is how long will it take utd to sort their defence out. They need either a replacement for Stam (Blanc is not good enough any more) or a replacement for barthez (truly erratic this year).

I'm just praying that by the time they get it sorted out it'll be too late for them to win anything.

Barthez is an interesting one, about five matches ago they were boasting that he is the best goalie in the world. Has so much changed over the last few matches? I reckon their defence is more to blame than him.
I tend to agree with both Fergie and the press lynch pack this week more worrying (for them at least ) was the surrender and lack of will to win. They accepted defeat and I've not seen them do that until the final whistle goes for many a long year.

I've always thought Barthez to be a crazy goalkeeper. remember the FA Cup game with West Ham last year when he just stood appealing for offside while Di Canio scored the winner. And the way he keeps bringing the ball so far out of the area would worry me if I were a united fan.

The Arsenal team wasn't that much weaker than their first team. But even so 4-0 is a wonderful result all round

Barthez might be guilty for some howlers but it is the weakness of the defence that is causing all the fun. Obviously Stam's book really really really pi**ed off Sir Alex

G'day, just thought I'd drop in on your discussion (since I am a very proud Man Utd basher). Yes, losing Stam has caused a lot of uncertainty at the back, but I would have thought Blanc could have stepped in okay. I think Man U need a Roy Keane style player in defence--an organizer who can pull the strings without too much fuss.

With regard to the title race, Man U have fallen before and then, after Christmas, have put the pedal through the floor and as it's Fergie's last season the veterans (Giggs, Beckham, Keane, Irwin ect) will want to really step it up. Leeds in my book are the next best thing after the reigning champions. For the title to take off to Elland Road, O'Leary must keep his head and transfer that calmness into players like Bowyer and Smith in order to channel their youthful energy into three points each week. It's a definite possibility for them to walk away with the trophy come May.

Anyone interested in the French first division? I am an ardent Paris St. Germain supporter and am universally regarded, including by myself, as crazy for being one. As usual, the Parisians have continued the consistently upheld tradition of selling the best player a week before the start of the season (in this case Laurent Robert) and now are suffering because of a lack of forward penetration. Coach Luis Fernandez has the right idea but president Perpere needs to get a shot in the gut if you know what I mean to get his mind on the job at hand.

I also keep a close eye on the Spanish, Swedish, Swiss, Finnish, and Australian leagues as well as the Conference. Are you guys interested in those as well?

Hey EastlakeJ, I have a lodger who is French and from Paris. Guess who he supports?
Bet you didn't expect that

No I didn't expect that Orcus, PSG fans are not the most common factor outside of their hometown (this has a lot to do with the shame of being one). However there is a lot of pride as well which goes into donning the fresh new jersey of red and blue which was remodelled for the fourth time in five seasons earler this year. My fav player used to be Robert until he took off for Newcastle, it's now goalkeeper Lionel Letizi--who's your lodger's favourite?