Bleacher Report - Articles by Nathan Lowe

Yoann Gourcuff, Bordeaux Emerge From Group of Death

Nathan Lowe — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:40:27 -0500

Prevailing media will usually cling to its most profitable darlings. They supply what is demanded: the what's-what on Man United, the latest bickering between managers, polls about Ronaldo, anything to breed divide between Barcelona and Real Madrid. What Rafa said, arguing if Arsenal can win with youth, and occasionally even talking about Inter.

As the group stages for the 2010 Champions League season were announced back in August, few gave Bordeaux any mention, much less a chance to progress from their group.

France's Ligue 1 may be unfashionable to the more centrist sensationalists, but the presence of Yoann Gourcuff alone at Bordeaux should bring relevance to a group not even on English media's radar. Not to mention the in-form French side were matched up against European super-clubs Bayern and Juventus, creating what you'd assume the arbitrators of news content would have loved to label and fantasize as a "Group of Death."

However, both Goal.com and ESPN's soccernet.com perfunctorily reported on the English teams' matchups and promoted the grudge match between Barcelona and Inter.

Goal.com made no mention of Bayern, Juventus, and Bordeaux.

The pick of the ties sees Barcelona face Inter in Group F, where Samuel Eto'o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are set for immediate returns to their former clubs. Elsewhere, Manchester United face some long away trips while AC Milan and Real Madrid will tangle in a glamour tie [in Group C].

ESPN followed suit, preferring to feature their own EPL teams and the melodrama between Barca and Inter.

Samuel Eto'o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be back at their old clubs as Inter and Barcelona were drawn together in the Champions League...The other big draw is Real Madrid, many people's favourites for the title, against AC Milan... Manchester Utd face tough trips...with Liverpool also given a tough test..Chelsea will be happy with their draw...while Arsenal are also sitting pretty as they face Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos and Belgian side Standard Liege.

It's bewildering that a group containing Bordeaux by itself doesn't get any play online. Laurent Blanc's side were barnstorming into the new season, winning 14 matches in a row, a Ligue 1 record.

Twenty-three-year-old playmaker Gourcuff led Bordeaux last season to end Lyon's eight-year monopoly on the French trophy, being rightly named Ligue 1 Player of the Year in the process, and yet, he's still one of the most underrated players in Europe.

Four-time European champion Bayern have the two best wingers in the world and one of the very best attacks in Europe. Two-time champ Juventus have Del Piero.

In other words: WTF?

ESPN may get a pass. They broadcast Spanish and English Premier League games. It's cynical—isn't it?—to begrudge a broadcasting conglomerate promoting its own interests first?

Goal.com simply panders to the come-lately fans who want to debate Messi v. Ronaldo ad infintum and are so subjectively linked to their favorite and most fashionable club, their view of the broader game itself is obfuscated through bifocals tinted in the club's colors.

Was each synopsis derived from the same associated press release? Why the omission of Group A in both Goal.com and Soccernet?

Fast forward to November, and Bordeaux have topped their group undefeated. Either Juvetus or likely Bayern Munich will be relegated to the Europa League. At least with Liverpool joining them there, one possible glamour tie awaits.

Now Gourcuff and Bordaeux continue their ascent into the knockout stages, still a dark horse, as the playmaker finishes his own evolution into the fine, finite group of footballing elite.

The liberty to make such a declaration is afforded to those above the knowledge gap in European football consumption, while most web sites will cater to the majority below it.

Drowned out by plebeian forum trolls and Man Yoo fanboys in the short term, those of us that care enough about the game to be informed can only hope substance prevails in the long term.

From one fan whose passion borders on addiction, which manifested itself in hundreds of match videos a year, and thousands of articles read, heed this advice:

Watch Gourcuff this season. YouTube is only a click away. He will rival Messi to be the greatest player of his generation.

You might not know otherwise, but it's not your fault.

Can Manchester United Succeed Without New Signings?

Nathan Lowe — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:46:28 -0500

United manager Alex Ferguson recently ruled out any new signings this year, citing a bloated transfer market.

It's a slightly ironic stance from a manager who profited $80m from selling Cristiano Ronaldo high and buying only Antonio Valencia as cover.

But the surplus in United's transfer kitty doesn't alone justify splashing cash in a transfer market exaggerated by Real Madrid's spending surfeit.

However, without seeking cover for his squad this season, does Ferguson sell short on United's chances for silverware this year?

The Red Devils in lying in reserve were showcased Wednesday at Old Trafford.

Despite earning some clear chances, it was same old, same new for United. Gibson and Anderson, like Fletcher and Carrick, generally controlled the midfield and passed the ball around the edges of Besiktas' half. When Obertan or Macheda went past a defender, the end result was a cross knifing across the box.

While that type of inside-out, horizontal play is United's hallmark over the current generation, there is no Beckham to cross unerringly, Ronaldo to rise majestically, or Van Nistelrooy to finish decisively.

Though Valencia and Obertan have the pace and ability, respectively, to occasionally beat their full-back and cross, with Rooney or Owen in the middle ultimately fighting for headers, a hit-and-hope approach, when you truly need a goal, doesn't suffice.

Their most creative player, sorcerer Dmitar Berbatov, despite having the class to produce something from nothing, hasn't yet found the consistency or health to be that guy all the time. If they do trump Chelsea domestically and many more sides abroad, he'd have definitely had a good year.

So far, there's no doubt United are competing in Europe and domestically. But they don't have to look further than London to see a more well-rounded team, balanced with steel and liquidity.

United have the steel in defense, midfield, and with Rooney, in attack. But without Scholes time-travelling back eight years, the cut and counter of United's attacks are often replaced by security, control, and deliberation.

The difference from United's last three winning seasons and now is simply Ronaldo. In the past, he bailed United out with scorchers, parried or otherwise, from open play and free kicks. He'd earn them penalties too several times a year.

Other times a timely Vidic header, or a masterful Macheda debut sufficed to vent the most pressurized ties and add gloss to the table.

And it took a low probability, yet technically brilliant Darren Fletcher strike to breakthrough and open up Everton at the weekend.

Against Besiktas midweek, such fortune was lacking, and when it does, the weakness in United's 2009 squad is punctuated.

The time is probably not right to buy in January. Come May, Ferguson will have one of the few summers left in his reign to add the final, ineffable attribute to his incomplete squad after they likely finish without major silverware this year.

Manchester United Will Need Jonny Evans to Have the Vidic Effect

Nathan Lowe — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:33:13 -0500

Most casual observers of Premier League football attribute Manchester United's trilogy of consecutive championships to be largely based on an ingredient no longer present: Cristiano Ronaldo.

But it's intellectual evasion to simply attribute anything to just one factor. The current Galactico's emergence into the world class certainly paralleled United's resurgence against Chelsea's brief dominance in the top division, but his influence was not absolute.

Often overlooked—as defenders are—was the capturing of Patty Evra and especially Nemanja Vidic in January of 2006.

Despite each taking time to acclimate to the British game, both Evra's swinging wing play and particularly Vidic's guerilla mentality provided the foundation for players like Ronaldo to get forward with complete abandon.

Then United started winning titles again.

If that trend is to continue, it'll likely be predicated on defense once again.

Unable to rely on that big, red Ronaldo button—the emergency pressure valve, activated after each successful defense, launching marauding counter-attacks—now United are stagnant getting down the field.

Often Wayne Rooney drops deep, sensing need, to spray the ball to the right, and if a cross comes in, it's only Dimitar Berbatov in the middle to fend for himself. Or vice versa, as Berbatov links play, leaving Rooney's considerable head—but small stature—in the center alone. Owen and Rooney together only exacerbates the inefficacy of the tactic.

When once they sprang forward, they now progress more deliberately, making their attack less incisive, their defense more important.

As such, any success in Mancunian parts will be founded again upon a murderin' Vidic with his new partner Jonny Evans.

Rio Ferdinand is mercifully taking ample time to tend to his injuries. He can afford to, already cemented in Fabio Capello's England plans. Therefore, Evans has at least two months of consistent football ahead of him.

In the games he's earned this season and last, the Northern Irishman has proven more than willing and capable to fill Vidic's position in the left of central defense. The right-footed Vidic actually seems more comfortable in Ferdinand's vacated position to the right of Evans.

Just a fortnight ago, against Didier Drogba—formerly Vidic's favored nemesis—Evans cheekily and knowingly stamped the Ivorian's chest in a pugnacious display which brought joy to anyone rooting red, as Vidic himself chuckled on the sideline while Drogba writhed epileptically.

It's the same physical, simple-minded approach that Vidic himself brought to the club in 2006, perpetuating what is now a decade-long dynasty for United.

Each player will have a chance to put their head in where it hurts as United chase Chelsea at the summit. Without Ferdinand, Evans should find a long run of games alongside the fan-favored Serbian.

If Jonny Evans continues to impress fans, pundits, and his manager, while causing our rivals' show ponies to spasm comically, Ferdinand might not be—nor should be—featuring even into the new year, or even well beyond.

Owen Hargreaves' Return Affects Whole United Midfield

Nathan Lowe — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:08:30 -0500

When Owen Hargreaves finally returns from injury, in what may be his last chance to achieve his prime, United manager Alex Ferguson can again field his strongest midfield.

But the Englishman, so influential in United's 2008 European double-winning season, is not the only significant addition required to create United's most balanced side.

In a 4-5-1, Ferguson's preferred—though not always proven—formation in Europe and major domestic matches, Hargreaves and Fletcher are a staple. In a 4-4-2, the two comprise the ideal pairing, though it could be debatable.

If only Giggs and Scholes weren't solely effective against lesser quality midfields. Psychologically and physically, against sides like Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, and further at Inter, Barcelona, or Madrid, United will need Owen Hargreaves and Darren Fletcher to partner in 4-4-2.

Such a pairing, going forward, isn't disimiliar to a central pairing of Carrick with either player, but both Fletcher and Hargreaves bring more energy, truculence, and consequently control to the middle.

Ultimately, Giggs or Scholes could still feature in a five-manned midfield, or if Hargreaves has to slot in at right-back, partner Fletcher in the middle. With the Canadian-born Englishman back in the fold, at no point should Carrick's name appear in any ideal starting eleven.

However, as with any central pairing not containing Scholes or even Giggs, this leaves a need to attack and counter through their wings. The imbalance created by having two holding midfielders can be compensated by faster, more creative wingplay.

The left wing has been a void this season. The star-crossed Nani continues to waste his potential. His decision-making hasn't improved, despite being given more than enough time on the field to grow. He stops when he should start, and dribbles when he should pass. He has no composure. He defines inconsistency. He's done.

United's right flank is in somewhat better shape. Serviceable but not particularly exciting, Antonio Valencia can supply crosses regularly, but he almost always dribbles to his right, making it increasingly predictable for defenders to smother.

Furthermore, if United aren't on the counter, the opposing team generally has plenty of bodies in the middle, which isn't really ideal with usually just Rooney with Berbatov in heading positions.

A team with two such skillful forwards would benefit more from a counterattacking philosophy, wingers going past and through defenders at pace or playing off Berbatov to eventually feed a darting Rooney.

Gabriel Obertan has captured the imagination of United faithful with his pace and naivete. As such, the French prospect is not only an obvious (and merciful) replacement for the egregious Nani, but a feasible alternative to Valencia.

Naturally right-footed, the French prospect can cut in effectively from the left, a-la Ronaldo, or drive down the right, with more guile and abandon than the straightforward Ecuadorian.

When Obertan is not opposite Valencia, Zoran Tosic is the man to drive past defenders, deliver set pieces, and provide a natural width most teams lack and crave.

However, Alex Ferguson is, so far, willing to give Tosic the consistent run-out he deserves. Whether or not the Serbian was bought with fellow midfielder Adam Llajc simply to bring security or comfort to Nemanja Vidic, he's proven in few chances that he's a quick and tidy player.

At 22, Tosic may have less gusto than a similarly aged Giggs, but there's no reason he can't fulfill the same classic left-winger mold, in a natural role every team craves, for the next many years in Manchester.

If only his crotchety manager agreed. But Ferguson precluded the Serb from United's European squad this year, making the youngster's maturation dependent on his inclusion in United's domestic games this season.

With a combination of Obertan, Tosic, and Valencia, United's wings are very dynamic. Hargreaves and Fletcher can gamely control the middle while Tosic, in his natural position, provides balance and flare as Obertan or Valencia slice in from the right, supplying Berbatov to pivot and create for Rooney running behind defenses.

As stated, Scholes and Giggs can still contribute in the center, albeit sparingly and against the right opponents.

But just because Ronaldo is plying his trade in Madrid doesn't mean United can't, or shouldn't, continue to feature wingplay, particularly on the counter, and especially since a marque creative midfielder wasn't sought in the summer transfer window.

And without a Wesley Sneidjer or Yoann Gourcuff to partner world-beater Fletcher in the middle, Ferguson will need to trust both Hargreaves and his two young wingers if United are to regain their attacking acumen and compete with Arsenal and Chelsea throughout the season.

Manchester United's Toughest Domestic Games Now Behind Them

Nathan Lowe — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:57:40 -0500

As mostly everyone knows by now, Man United lost 1-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge Sunday after John Terry scored a controversial goal in the 76th minute.

Different articles on different sites will all tell you more or less the same thing: United had several major decisions go against them and probably didn't deserve to lose.

Maybe United deserved a point. But, without Berbatov to link chains in the middle, and with a midfield containing three holding players, with Ryan Giggs unable to create anything against Chelsea's athletic midfield, the Reds weren’t likely to score and didn’t have many chances to.

But now that it's behind United and its fans, it doesn't really seem to matter.

Last season, United played Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool all away in the first half of the campaign en route to their domestic double.

This term, their two toughest fixtures of the season—away to Anfield and at Chelsea—are again already behind them, with the corresponding reverse fixtures coming at home in the second half of the season.

After 12 matches last year, United were eight points adrift of Chelsea. After Sunday's loss, they stand only five points behind.

It’s these data points that save us pseudo-neutrals from having to read any doom-and-gloom declarations by the “anything but United” contingent or sourpuss United fans.

Hell, the Red Devils couldn’t have played much better against Chelsea barring a few finishes being just slightly more calibrated. Of course, they could have made much better measure of themselves against Liverpool three weeks ago when they lacked all composure and lost 2-0 after Vidic was sent off—again.

In hindsight, though, United's loss to Liverpool can be promoted from "embarrassing" to "fluky," as Liverpool plummets down the table—now 12 points behind Chelsea—and are essentially out of Europe.

So, if there was any team to play well against, it was Chelsea. They're the only likely competition for a long title race which, as of Sunday, unofficially began.

And just as interest piques, so too it wanes; two weeks of friendly international matches now interrupt the narcotic transmission of competitive continuity.

But Alex Ferguson's men can hang their hats during their vacation, knowing they'll need to put them firmly back on—Draper-esque—as they embark on a long winning streak all their fans now demand.

Darren Fletcher Not Alone Filling Void at Man United

Nathan Lowe — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:17:52 -0400

It was always going to be a tense year for United and its fans.

The situation is distinctly lose-win: go trophy-less with an aging, crotchety Alex Ferguson who failed to replace Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence, or win the EPL or the Champions League led by the wily, sagacious manager who proved doubters—fans among them—wrong again.

Though early, there are signs to where United’s season might go, and some point to Ferguson’s blushes being saved by his favored Scottish midfielder Darren Fletcher.

Next to Nemanja Vidic, Fletcher was United’s most capable player last season. However, he was still an unsung man coming into this season.

Plaudits and pundits hailed Wayne Rooney’s imminent evolution into the world-class as being the necessary ingredient to mask losing Ronaldo's influence.

Thus far, though Rooney’s bagged goals, Fletcher has been United’s best player.

He tackled with real abandon in United’s four top-flight wins, fulfilling the necessary “anti-football” role in the middle of the park.

With his bunker mentality, the Scottish captain is quickly becoming a fan favorite after several years being a fringe player.

His passing ability and decision-making are on par with Michael Carrick’s, despite it being the Englishman’s supposed trademark.

Carrick also occupies a holding position, but out of complacency not virtue. He doesn't get forward because he shouldn't, nor because he's busy doing a fantastic job tackling. It's his natural playing style, rationalized as "relaxed" and hyperbolized as "composed", without bottle, passion, and drive.

Owen Hargreaves will likely be joining Fletcher in the middle of a five-man midfield for European ties. His influence during the double-winning campaign in 2007-2008 saw him also fill in seemlessly at right-back.

At the back, Ben Foster has pleasantly proved to be capably athletic in goal. He hasn’t had enough games to be England’s clear No. 1, but his performances so far deserve him United’s first jersey, whether Van der Sar is healthy or not.

Jonny Evans continues to grow and may now, at just 21, be one of the top ten center backs in England. Vidic has maintained his appetite for headers and bloodying sport despite moving to right center-back. Outside, Patty Evra has been United’s most dangerous attacker, overlapping with pace and trickery, swinging crosses and winning corner kicks.

United’s wings are, uncharacteristically, their weakest position this season.

Antonio Valencia has shown pace, but his approach to wing play is one-dimensional. Nani still holds on to the ball far too long and makes peculiar decisions when and where to pass.

Zoran Tosic should feature when Ryan Giggs wanes, but his manager shows no inclination to play him, so perhaps new-boy Gabriel Obertan will provide the needed natural width on United's left side throughout the season's run-out.

Ji-Sung Park was the perfect foil for United's former number seven. Ronaldo had licence to follow his every whim while Park tracked back against opposing wingers. But with a dearth of creativity across the middle he is likely to feature less prominently this season.

Going further forward, strikers like Fernando Macheda or Danny Wellbeck, though tipped for emergence in preseason, have yet to feature with Michael Owen occupying the third-striker role. But when the former Liverpool favorite gets injured, influence from either youngster may be desired and required.

Elsewise, an in-form Rooney, though not a world-beater, is a top-five Premier League forward, as well as Berbatov, who pivots play from midfield onwards with a very personal class.

Ultimately, though, any success Manchester United enjoy will again be predicated on their defense and who is anchored in front of it.

If Hargreaves or Fletcher can reinforce the back line, and United find enough invention going forward through Paul Scholes, Rooney, and the inimitable Berbatov, they will contend at home and abroad. But if Sir Alex plans on tipping Ryan Giggs for PFA Player of the Year again this term it’s going to be a very long season.

With the Portugeuse superstar now in Madrid, at least United are no longer the most fashionable side in Europe, which should be a welcome respite for its most ardent fans.

The odds are not with them this year, but the pressure is still on the aging Ferguson to again revamp his side now in the post-Ronaldo era.

Wesley Sneijder Is United's Perfect Replacement For Paul Scholes

Nathan Lowe — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:06:41 -0400

To call current Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder want-away would be erroneous; he wants to stay, it's his club that want him to leave.

With such a surfeit of attacking options, Madrid are likely to force out the classy attacker. Rumors have the Dutch orchestrator possibly heading to Inter Milan, though he has rejected the move as recently as today.

If only one would implore the miniature former Ajax master to consider a Manchester United side still employing a traditional 4-4-2, instead of trying to run games in a Madrid side with several other top-class attackers vying for possession.

Sneijder, like United's masterful Paul Scholes, can play in the center midfield or as a second striker, as the Englishman did partnering Ruud van Nistelrooy prior to Louis Saha's arrival at the club, a period during which United played arguably their best football in this decade.

Paul Scholes built his reputation on long-range thunderbolts and late runs into the box, knifing into the area to score cheeky headers or little volleys; Sneidjer is no different.

The Dutchman has a wide range of passing, able to play through forward or long diagonally, like Scholes, with both feet, in slight contrast with him; Scholes happens to favor his right foot for passing and shooting. The equally diminutive Sneijder has the same penchant to shoot from range and is quicker—having more pace—than the fading Scholesy.

However, injuries have inihibited the 25-year-old's climb into the footballing elite, despite an awesome Euro 2008 tournament where he scored the goal of the tournament against Italy and another cracker against France, running the Oranje midfield as Netherlands looked odds-on favorites to take the tournament.

With a healthy run of games, the diminutive Madrista would re-establish himself among the best in the world, but his current club seems an unlikely place for such a stretch. Real stripped him of the number 10 shirt and haven't named him in the squad for over a week.

However, Sneijder's heart still lies in Madrid, despite ubiquitous rumors of a Dutch exodus, and his intention to stay is well-documented withing sporting media.

If Madrid did force him out, perhaps they use their speed-dial to Manchester, where a United side with an uncharacteristically weak midfield could use his class, an unequivocal attacking force, where most of their midfielders now—Carrick, Anderson, Gibson, Giggs—neither attack nor defend enough to be labelled as either, or do both well enough to be described as effectively balanced.

If Sneidjer were to arrive, his ideal partner would be Hargreaves, still recovering—as ever—from multiple knee surgery, or the ever maturing Fletcher, who has finally grown into a Keane-like mold, holding down the fort with as much gusto as his slight frame allows. Anderson may be the defensive midfielder of the future, but not yet.

Sneidjer would become the first choice free-kick taker and would also provide someone to take United's left corner kicks, as opposed to Nani, whose poor passing ability finds him usually unable to clear the first and second defenders regularly. It wouldn't be a stretch to employ the Dutchman as their choice penalty taker either.

Regardless of such transfer hypotheticals, United's midfield needs bolstering, but the crotchety Alex Ferguson has made it clear he has no intention to buy again, statements he may have to double-back on as perennial fringe teams like Spurs and Man City boast a stronger starting midfield than United's across all four.

Arshavin, De Jong Bring World Class To Premier League

Nathan Lowe — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:27:39 -0400

Whether or not the "6+5 rule" sweeps through Europe into England, two foreign players arrived in January who would not be hampered much by the regulation.

Andrei Arshavin, the little Russian, and Nigel De Jong, the stacked Dutchman, each brought a unique European flair and class when they were suited to England.

Grace and skill translates visually but words cannot always justify the edges, the fine margins, between good and great that defines class.

Essentially, most footballers can perform most tricks and skills most of the time. But naturally gifted intelligence, compounded with extra practice and drive, provides the added consistency, creativity, and ability that defines the classy players; the top five percent.

De Jong and Arshavin are proving members of that elite group.

The warring Dutchman

De Jong himself fills the defensive role in midfield so many teams pine after.

The bottom half of the Premier League table is littered with clubs who struggle largely out of a void in the center, just as mostly all more successful teams have a holding player in his mold.

One of the first names called during the Netherlands' muster, the 24-year old bunker captain holds down the fort with a crooked helmet, hucking grenades while his attacking teammates snipe and maneuver. His bootstraps tightly fastened, he is well fortified, with plenty of ammunition and stores to see out the winter.

The reliable muscle-man owns his space. He's the bouncer at the night club you can't get into. Players pass through with his permission. If he loses the ball, he will track you down and either foul you or take it back or both. Even his facial hair gets stuck-in.

Every team in competitive, modern European football need this type of combative central player, especially in overly tactical UEFA Champions League settings.

The compact midfielder can use both feet to turn and pass, and his distribution is very economical and sometimes even forward-incisive. De Jong appears to take certain care to bend passes with either feet into the stride of his teammates, which is often overlooked but a sure sign of class.

His partnership with Vincent Kompany—renewed from their chummy Hamburg days—makes the central midfield of Manchester City the toughest in England.

From Russia with class

Of course, the team who needed De Jong most—Arsenal—instead got the type they needed least.

The Gunners squad is replete with stylish winger/support-striker hybrids. Rosicky, Nasri, van Persie, Vela, Da Silva, Fabregas, and even Theo Walcott—who is becoming a more out-winger—all bring great beauty and romance to a flowing attack, at the shameless expense of steel, bottle, and graft.

Though occupying a similar position, and general mold, to his new teammates, Andrei Arshavin is none of these players. The style he brings to any attack is quite unique.

The shifty Russian may have the best feet in all of England. He uses both, at will, and shifts effortlessly in between. His balance sets him apart.

He can move left or go right, with either foot, convincingly, and have enough poise and craft to turn again, or not, to no end, while other renowned attackers turn once and are committed.

The nimble little bugger, cheeks red, hasn't taken time to settle in London, contrary to another Russian in town, rival Spurs' Pavyulchenko—with whom Arshavin does not socialize, to the delight of Gunner fans.

In seven games for Arsenal, spark-plug Arshavin has a goal and four assists, statistics which paltrily render his true effect on the field.

He picks apart defenses like a cold-war KGB operative, with patience and subterfuge, craftily evading clumsy approaches from lesser-trained Western agents.

Unlike most attacking players, the Russian talisman dribbles at defenders without premeditation, reacting to their movements out of sheer quickness and control to slip through and by them.

Tourists in England?

And now the two Europeans are plying their trade in England, as most players abroad seem to vie towards at some point in their careers.

But not all their hopes will be realized, especially as the "6+5 rule" necessarily surges throughout European footballing institutions.

The rule, currently championed by the presidents of FIFA and UEFA, decrees six of 11 starting players on any team in Europe must be nationals of the domestic country.

Such a change would bring youth development, nationalism, and club loyalty back into a European game dominated by generally British easy-money spending, hostile takeover bids, immediate gratification, and purchased success.

But the cogs of political change move slowly, so England will continue to stage more and more of Europe's best talent until the dogma, greed, and lobbying hopefully succumb to the populist regulation.

As Man City travel to Arsenal on Saturday, bask in the ineffable particulars: the soft edges of class both De Jong and Arshavin express on grass in-form, and don't worry; they'd be top six on any club side in England for many years anyways.

Wayne Rooney Needs To Curb Aggression, Not Embrace It

Nathan Lowe — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:48:42 -0400

Stubborn Wayne Rooney.

The Englishman recently defended his truculent behavior, ever on display this season, in what is an argument based more out of said emotion and rationalization than footballing sense.

To be sure, the passion and aggression Rooney exudes and personifies has its benefits when marshaled and channelled. But instead when anger controls the player, self-destruction follows.

Rooney needn't look any further than fellow teammate and former starlet Cristiano Ronaldo for insight into how emotions can curb a player's growth.

The Portugeuse serves as a fine warning sign. Last year, he did everything to deserve all the accolades awarded to him. His form was rampant, consistent, dominating; he was focused and confident.

This season, pressures conspire to expunge all patience and most efficacy from Ronaldo's game. Insecurity and arrogance replaced confidence. Blame replaced accountability.

The result for the Portuguese? More disgrace than Rooney ever brings upon himself, surely, and far less effect on the pitch where even a deplorable attitude and disposition could be forgiven.

Fortunately for Rooney, his demons are slightly more productive than those currently bedevilling the insecure winger. The striker's subconscious fuel drives him around the pitch. To be fair, this sometimes brings him out of position. But he tracks back. He gets stuck-in. These qualities, though, in a forward, are overvalued when goals aren't plenty, and rightly overlooked when they are rife!

Goals are of course the prime directive for a striker. And Rooney, despite being one of the better English footballers, and a top-20 striker in the world, probably has fallen short of perhaps slightly romantic hopes set upon his meaty shoulders as a young scouser; while the aforementioned Ronaldo certainly exceeded all in his last few seasons.

Many of Rooney's qualities are better suited to a midfielder. His ability to pass, his vision, tendencies towards grafting and getting stuck-in, willingness to run, an inability to beat defenders one-on-one, and his outspoken, fiery disposition all conduce to a midfield role.

His passion—still raw with youth, sometimes expressed immaturely, sometimes beneficially—like every other aspect of the world game, can be practiced and refined to create the utmost utility on the pitch. To justify it as being unyielding to growth or change—a character flaw—is merely the Englishman selling himself short.

''The desire to win makes me the player I am. Take that away and I would be totally different,'' he said after his brace against Slovakia. ''I do get frustrated at times but aggression has always been part of my game."

He is right and wrong on a few accounts here. Wayne Rooney made himself the player he is, and he should not be defined by destructive behavior, which he seems to confuse with the "desire to win", a desire all players share, but not all project through violence and "fack off" rage.

He is right, though, if you take it away, he would be totally different. But who's to say he won't be better? Aggression has always been a part of his game, and if he is happy with his current scoring rate, and his unfolding legacy, as is, then he may not want to curb it.

Who would begrudge him, one of the most recognizable players in world football?

But it shouldn't be within a competitor's nature to acquiesce.

He has produced modestly for England this season, claiming the English player of the year award for his performances in the white shirt.

For Manchester United, however, his season has again been slightly checkered, with incidents of immaturity and sophomoric behavior marring matches throughout an average campaign.

Last season Tevez outplayed the Englishman, with some cynical sections of prevailing professional media asking if this was a make-or-break year for Rooney.

If it was, for United, he's yet to achieve an on-form consistency greater than two weeks at a time. He's still bagged some goals, inevitably, and he's definitely played vital roles in many matches, although seldom.

The margin of difference between a balanced Rooney and the current boy Rooney may not be great, but it is substantial. And it only requires a few measured, deep breaths at vital, sporadic moments in only some matches to evolve Wayne into maturity.

It's hard to judge players who are great (or lingering slightly below). But, maybe carefully crafted words in print translate even to the ivory towers of our heroes, in hopes that they realize their full potential, instead of being content already achieving just a respectable majority of it.

Man United Apart: Who Can Fill the Roy Keane Void?

Nathan Lowe — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:15:53 -0400

"There's only one Keano" usually isn't sung as a lamentation, but never before have Man United missed Roy Keane so much.

Whether berating a prawn sandwich culture, or throwing under-performing players publicly under the bus, the man Keane never hesitated to put the spotlights—and pressure—upon his own shoulders.

More importantly, beyond the brash outbursts was the most blue-collar of field workers. Keane led by both sword and plowshare, demanding nothing of his peers that they could not expect of himself. He constantly interrogated his teammates' egos and work ethic, and no one could—or at least would—say he was a hypocrite.

Do as he did, not as he said, was the subtext to his whole persona.

But last season, United triumphed without their iconic captain. A resolute and consistent defense propped Cristiano Ronaldo's world-class form throughout the campaign, almost without thinking, towards the European double.

United look now, for the first time in these two seasons, almost free-falling, with a diffusion of responsibility spreading across the Carrington grounds.

Without someone like Keane, who can lead a disjointed United side with sheer force of will? Are there any players with the same demonstrative volition? Are there any players on the current side capable of harnessing their anger, vanquishing their fear?

Surely the last clause rules out Wayne Rooney.

Pundits had hoped to provide a prophecy for Wayne to fulfill this season, claiming that his days of charging about angrily were finally behind him. These notions have so far turned out to be fantasy.

There is no doubt his heart is in the cause, but too much so, and it is often further unhinged by a lack of reason and patience—and the absence of the role model like the fiery Irishman.

Ronaldo gets angry. But he's not very good at it. He whines and pouts, projecting and displacing, hating himself and blaming everyone else. He's much more part of the problem right now than he could be for any solution to his club's fragile psyche.

Paul Scholes doesn't like him. Why would he? Scholes himself is the paragon for modesty and honesty in motion. He's not concerned about the spotlight or the women, nor the parties or acclaim.

But the same virtues that make him a model person and professional preclude the ginger boy from invoking personal demons that don't exist to exorcise those plaguing some players around him.

Arguably the only player on the current side with a similar capacity to Keane for weighted anger and leadership, Gary Neville, the club captain, is a peripheral figure.

Often injured and always aging, his voice from the bench doesn't carry to the pitch, not when the adrenaline and endorphins govern each player's instinctual actions.

Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs are often given the armband in Neville's absence. Unfortunately, neither have the make-up to inspire, or the gall and effrontery to unstick their chums.

Ferdinand yells superfluously, usually without force, usually without response. Players just don't fear him. Giggs is a quiet man and captains the side more from experience than effectiveness.

Nemanja Vidic emerges. The 27-year-old has the makings for a future captain.

But despite being United's player of the season—and a firm candidate for PFA Player of the Year—the Serbian may not be the answer right now. His own confidence seems frazzled, being outwitted by Gerrard and Torres, proven slightly bemused by Zlatan, and run a bit ragged by Martins in recent matches.

Carlos Tevez could be the answer. Who roars louder? Who exhales after each run-out with more veracity? Whose badge is placed more squarely over his heart than the Argentine terrorist, crunching and crashing about, demanding, earning, and reciprocating respect from and to all opponents?

On action alone, Tevez speaks the loudest. He never argues with a linesman, never complains to the referee or, more crucially, his teammates, and never dives. And he never gives up. If only he could apply the same passion and voracity to inspire his teammates vocally.

With Berbatov facing an injury spell, and the grumpy Rooney likely to be suspended for three games, there will be no better forum for the Argentine to exert his will in the coming matches.

But maybe United need nothing more than a mental break, and they'll have it.

The players have two weeks of World Cup qualifiers to distract themselves with other exploits and refocus.

The man who molded Roy Keane partly in his own likeness, Sir Alex Ferguson, has this time to plot and calculate the restoration of his side's confidence.

He has two weeks to exhume the cobwebs of self-doubt from the minds of his rattled players, and if he can't, you wonder who on the pitch might, should the first goal at Old Trafford in a fortnight's time be scored by the visitor.

Who Will Fix Cristiano Ronaldo?

Nathan Lowe — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:51:12 -0400

Confidence is piercing: It attacks the disposition in those it encounters with a domineering force.

Arrogance is masochistic: It challenges those dispositions to return force in kind plus more. It demands unequal retribution. It bolsters the defending.

Ronaldo has none of the confidence he deserves and too much of the hubris that weighs him down.

Someone needs to reboot him.

His head is nowhere near the pitch. His attacking is indirect. His tantrums are ubiquitous. His emotions run completely unchecked.

Where he once out-smarted most defenders, most now out-muscle him, sending the winger whirling downward again into the whining spirals which mar his ever-declining reputation.

His free-kicks sail well off course. His runs to the byline are rare. The extempore cuts and shifts are gone, the sleight and trickery with them, replaced with forecast, boastful, and inconsequential step-overs before usually passing square or backwards.

John O’ Shea is in the side—presumably—to pass sideways. Ronaldo is not!

The club he led to glory last year needs at least half of his ability and at most half of the immaturity. Its fans, ever scrambling to doggedly defend the reprobate, deserve respite and reassurance. They deserve to see their hero on song, not his villainous alter-ego, always scowling and recalcitrant.

In the last several seasons, he played like a man who knew he'd be great. Then the world agreed and made him great, exalting him PFA Player of the Year, European Player of the Year, and World Player of the Year. But despite capturing all of world football’s individual awards to confirm his self-belief, he now seems somehow not to believe in himself anymore.

The weight of each opposing crowd booing and teasing him might be taking its toll. Maybe Messi or Ribery's form of late is what causes Ronaldo so much anxiety. Maybe he can't deal with the pressure of becoming the most recognizable player on the planet. Maybe he just wants people to like him more—who could blame him?

But after six months of his emotional treacle, can no one within the walls of Old Trafford encourage change in the 24-year-old? Can’t Alex Ferguson himself demand it? The Scot never shied from ego-management: Ince, Cantona, Hughes, Beckham—how is Ronaldo less deserving? Why is he immune?

A flying boot would affect him just the same. Ronaldo must’ve seized sizable leverage with his bi-yearly feigns at foraying into Spanish football, because Ferguson is hesitant to ever discipline the boy in his side who needs it the most.

Let Ronaldo watch a game from the stands like he used to when he actually played with some naivete and creativity. Give Tosic a run-out. Hell, give Nani a run-out. Make Ronaldo remember what it's like to just be a player again.

Perhaps Carlos Quieroz, former United number two and current Portugal manager, can speak with urgency in a language the winger will hear, understand, and adhere to.

Change for the winger Ronaldo is long overdue and must be swift before he completely undermines his stature in the world game that surely could not have peaked already?

Manchester United Taught Valuable Lesson En Route to Quintuple

Nathan Lowe — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:26:25 -0400

Liverpool humiliated Man United 4-1 Saturday at Old Trafford in a statement victory that may sustain the Mersysiders' title ambitions: fact.

For United, losing soundly to their most fierce rivals at home couldn't have been better timed or circumstanced: thesis.

Yes, Manchester United were cruising.

They had just vanquished their manager's biggest rival in fellow European giant Inter Milan midweek to advance to the quarterfinals of the Uefa Champions League. They'd won the Carling Cup and were through to face Everton in the semifinal for the FA Cup.

In the top flight, their dominance throughout the last five months is well-documented: unbeaten since being similarly dominated at Ashburton Grove in November, keeping 14 clean sheets in the EPL through December into February.

So as the Red side in Manchester entered play Saturday against Liverpool—seven points ahead of their nemeses with a game in hand—the timing and context couldn't have been more perfect for a shocking upset.

Looking at the table, they could certainly afford it. Looking at individual player form, some could certainly use it.

The best player in England this season, Nemanja Vidic, has looked suspiciously shaken—at times—during a few of United's last matches: home to Liverpool here, Inter during midweek, and against Fulham ten days past.

Easily the most consistent and effective player for United this season, the Serbian was execrable against Liverpool. "Monster" was solely culpable for Torres' goal and was ultimately sent off for a shoddy professional foul on Steven Gerrard.

Vida will need to be focused and characteristically unforgiving during the run-out of this season for his club to unprecedentedly capture the three remaining trophies.

Both Vidic and lesser partner Rio Ferdinand enjoyed accomplished individual campaigns last season when Ronaldo rose above everyone to inspire United to the European double. The winger's form this year, though, has also plateaued far below his potential.

His lack of confidence is apparent each time he plays the simple side pass after a few perfunctory step-overs, where last season the Ballon d'Or winner simply drove past and through defenders without thinking or pausing. His problems are mental.

Elsewhere, Michael Carrick, who has been largely consistent and influential this season, has slept through a few games on end, and serviceable players last year like Anderson and Nani have yet to find the form this year to emulate their effect past.

Patrice Evra has also not lived up to the high standard he set last season. Since serving a three-match ban over the holidays, returning splendidly at home to Chelsea, and then missing two weeks with a leg injury, Evra has not been at the races since.

Carlos Tevez was more effective than an inconsistent Wayne Rooney last season. The Englishman entered this season with a mind to prove his world-class hype justified. He's yet to do it. His inconsistency is unrivaled by anyone on team. Rooney has a high ceiling but his form usually dwells far, far below it.

It's unlikely he'll admit to hating any future opponents.

There's no doubt United players will be devastated with this result and rightly so. It's the rebound to that emotion that can fuse the side together finally into the season's business end. United manager Alex Ferguson nailed it home: "At this club it’s always about how you respond. When you lose a game: respond. And that is what we will do.”

If United had breezed past Liverpool just as they breezed past so many opponents in the last several months, the reality check could very well have come on a stage Manchester couldn't afford.

But, being pummelled by their emotional rivals in the league—where United still lead by four points with a game in hand—brings stark reality and emotional checking far greater than merely dropping points against a lesser side home or away domestically and much less risk than sleep-walking over-confidently into a rampant European side.

Had the Mersey Reds nicked the victory, the psychological damage might not have been too severe, but, Liverpool might have just beaten Manchester United too severely Saturday.

Just as Rafael Benitez's factual tirade against Ferguson in December helped launch United on their recent domineering run, his side's demolition of the Red Devils Saturday could very well be the impetus United need to continue their surge into history.

The victory that Liverpool will rely on as being the rebirth of their season could prove ironically to be the harbinger that refocuses their most ardent rivals from Manchester—clearly the better and deeper side this season—to trump them throughout England and Europe.

Paul Scholes Inimitable In Masterclass Display

Nathan Lowe — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:35:52 -0500

"His passes stretched forever."

To cite any other player being more dominant and expressive in a match this season than Paul Scholes was against Fulham is impossible.

The ginger prince shies from cameras and adulation, but on the field he feels, more profoundly than any fortunate observer, the artistry and sheer magnificence he manifested Tuesday like no other; and he knows it gutturally.

But he won't talk about it. Scholes was one of the first players to leave the field after his side clinically dismantled Fulham 3-0, shifting quickly off his stage as teammates and opponents alike hustled to shake his hand and look into his eyes for any sign of higher being.

This left a slightly more willing, though equally uncomfortable Wayne Rooney to attend to interviewing obligations with BBC.

Rooney stammered, bumbled, and twitched, as well as employing many other impression management mannerisms, to generally evade his way through the queries with perfunctory, scattered answers. But, as the topic turned to Scholes, his eyes squinted in awe and understanding:

"Some of his football tonight, I don't think there's any other player in the world who could produce that," Rooney said, taken aback. "In my eyes...," he continued, shaking his head, "He's one of the best ever," now looking quite certain.

Other players and legends (and writers) have been similarly lovestruck by the intelligent, modest, gentlemanly style Scholes alone exudes.

Edgar Davids: "I'm not the best, Paul Scholes is."

Thierry Henry: "He has indestructible mental strength and he is a genuine competitor."

Zinedine Zidane: "Scholes is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation."

Bobby Charlton: "I have no hesitation in putting a name to the embodiment of all that I think is best about football. It's Paul Scholes."

And, in recent weeks, when asked what the most amazing thing he's seen in practice was, manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed Scholes is quite cheeky too.

"The most amazing thing is Paul Scholes, in the morning, when a player goes to have a pee at the side of the training pitch and he fires balls from 40 yards right on top of their head!"

"He got Gary Neville right in the head and Neville chased him across the pitch!"

Scholesy might have had even more fun Tuesday at the Theatre of Dreams.

His passes stretched forever, close and far, far away with unerring accuracy—usually bulls-eying the preferred foot of the recipient, to be fair.

Scholes was the conduit; he was the courier. He signed, sealed, and delivered five or six balls, pin to point, from the center of the pitch far out onto the wing in the first ten minutes, as throughout, just stretching his legs; warming up.

Ten days rested, he then flipped, dinked, tapped, and sprayed, weaving intricacies around enamored yet sad Fulham players of which they never contemplated and would never comprehend. He was entranced on the field like a crocodile giving birth along the Nile swamps.

Scholes even had some of the best tackles of the match, getting right up into the Fulham midfield and simply robbing his ball from enfeebled bystanders on occasions.

To be fair, against a beaten and downtrodden team from London, most United players were in control, with Ronaldo being a conspicuous exception. He could do no more than whine and misfire while Carrick and Tevez were also limited.

No one could, or would, compare that night with the inimitable Scholes though.

His lashing goal was a vintage strike on the volley direct from a corner, a routine often attempted over the years of his career with now at least two permanent connections and tallies etched in history. It squeaked under goalkeeper Schwarzer, and Paul Scholes' grin was ear-to-ear, arms raised in glee.

United went away 3-0 to the good with a classy Berbatov and poaching Rooney also making the score-sheet and match reports.

However, this one is mostly about Paul Scholes. The romantic display by the diminutive Salford man, as he twinkles into memory during the last of his career, might just be the best 90 minutes of it.

And for any fan claiming to appreciate football beyond the goals and awards, who doesn't look at, but into, the minutia of play, must take the time to download, or otherwise manufacture, a replay of this match, if not for their own personal growth!

For today, the aging paragon modestly exhibited natural football in a simple state, without frills or pretext, as ever, just precision and execution resultant from hours, days, and years of honest application.

And that is the beauty of Scholes.

David Beckham Deserves Last Shot on European and World Stage

Nathan Lowe — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:18:20 -0500

David Beckham wants to leave the Los Angeles Galaxy and stay in Italy, and so does the MLS—but they won't admit it.

The current transfer saga itself, as AC Milan negotiate making Beckham's loan move permanent, is the type of high-profile exposure the American league pines for.

While garnering both attention and capital—concepts agreeable to American sport and business—over Beckham's tenure, the Galaxy never competed on the field with the English soccer magnate at the club.

And now both Beckham and Milan have made their desires unequivocal.

The MLS enjoys, if not uncomfortably, the leverage they currently wield at the bargaining table and a deal benefiting all parties involved looks quite certain, but not imminent, as the Galaxy extract what remains of their share in the Beckham stakes.

It's over in America

Though Beckham appeared in his element, perhaps, in Hollywood, on pitches across America he was certainly out of it. The Galaxy simply needed him to do too much there.

Without dribblers and tidy passers around him, Beckham looked ordinary. He is a player who thrives in association with his more skillful teammates, and his quality is only manifested when there is quality around to support it.

He won't run past players and he has never taken over games. His influence is in the final supply of a flowing side, adding a wide element to provide for clinical, penalty-box strikers, punctuated by occasional dead-ball breakthroughs.

But, he leads more by stature and reputation than actual presence. He was never going to inspire the Galaxy or their fans, lifting them upon his shoulders during a romantic championship run. Certainly not with a below-average MLS side.

Off the field, in Los Angeles, the jerseys were sold. The casual fans allegedly watched and listened, and the American game grew necessarily, financially and respectably.

Definitely, the soccer structures in Los Angeles and in the MLS felt the boom. How long the effect resonates, and whether they might outlast it through a strife economy—so often the scourge of American leagues past—is yet to unfold.

As now the pop in popular culture Beckham brought stateside, like novelty itself, fades. The hot air keeping the Beckham brand aflight gasses and dissipates, and each year is exponentially less profitable, less exploitable.

Money makes the gears turn slowly

So why don't the MLS and the Galaxy sell short on Beckham, their powerful commodity? They most certainly will.

All three are frothing to make the deal permanent, each hopeful to avoid a repeat role in the hackneyed tale of European stars coming to an ultimately defunct American league to wind down their careers in one last marketing bravado.

But, the Americans, as ever, are trying to get top dollar.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber oddly issued a deadline last week for any changes in the current loan deal with Milan in March. Perhaps he was impersonating Gareth Keenan, but no one really listened as the deadline passed, and the commissioner blinked and walked silently backwards away.

The ostentatious posturing showed the gulf in class between the two organizations. AC Milan, the historic European giant, and the MLS, overplaying a big hand with a bad poker face.

Bruce Arena admitted Monday during a press conference: ""Legally or technically, I think March 8 would be the final date of altering the loan agreement. The deadline imposed by Commissioner Garber, you would have to speak to [him] about that."

The Galaxy, who announced last year already recouping and profiting from their Beckham investment, have the new stadium, increased revenues, and season ticket sales.

And with a transfer sum probably around $20 million—market value for an average top-level player slash media icon and world superstar—they'll have the money to both line their pockets and finally build a squad with substance.

Star dims in Europe and bursts in South Africa

As for Milan, they wouldn't have expected their initial $12 million offer to be accepted. Of course the first offer in any deal between major clubs is to be rejected, and later countered with a price tag in the media, to which another offer would likely be rejected, until the deadline—with Kaka's exceptional saga being an outlier.

The Rossoneri will be a better—and even more popular—team with Beckham. He's already played better in a month at the San Siro than he did during any month at the Home Depot Center.

He offers a different option than another veteran, Gennaro Gattuso; they might split time. The competition is good for all, and at 32, Beckham would be suited to be rested occasionally or come off the bench.

Milan is a welcoming home for storied players, of whom they boast quite a collection: Maldini, Seedorf, Ronaldinho, Zambrotta, Kaka, and now Beckham. Berlusconi certainly knows how to market their assets.

As for the Englishman, his motivations have always been clear. Like his continued love for Manchester United, shy Beckham has never been reticent about his burning need to play for England.

He was put to the brink by his former national coach after the 2006 World Cup, but Fabio Capello likes seeing Becks punting in crosses at the club the Italian coach won five Scudetti with.

If the most-capped Englishman stays healthy and plays often and well enough, he seems odds-on to get a final chance at glory and make the squad for the 2010 World Cup.

There lies the final possible catalyst in what has always been his personal crusade to fully and finally restore his pride after his personal hell in the 1998 World Cup.

The simple man who, so unwittingly, shouldered the game across continents, is at least deserving of the chance to extinguish his career in a last, personal blaze of glory and redemption.

You might even say the fans of the game deserve it too: witnessing the midfielder, commodity, and tentative icon returned to his element on pitches across Europe and South Africa as the blinding spotlight on his career finally and mercifully dims and extinguishes.

Manchester United Dismiss Derby, Gear Up For Inter Milan

Nathan Lowe — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:05:16 -0500

United eased through Derby County today in the FA Cup with a second-string side, led by performances from reborn old man Ryan Giggs, with confident displays from Gibson, Nani, and Evra as he returned from injury lay-off.

Sir Alex Ferguson's eye for future EPL and Champions League fixtures was clear, resting Carrick, Scholes, Berbatov, Tevez, and Vidic. United, though, where quite undaunted and played with the confidence and command their powerful squad profile justifies.

Ferguson's treatment of Scholes is most significant. The ginger-haired midfield architect has been ingratiated slowly back into the squad following a long-term injury layoff. The gaffer clearly has a partnership of Scholes and Carrick in mind as United look to steamroll over competition home and abroad in four competitions, with the Champions League as the top priority.

Anderson's inability to win the favor of his manager this season goes in contrast to the breakout influence the Brazilian enjoyed during the double-winning last season, and opens the curtains for Scholesy to feature again across European nights as he did at the Nou Camp during last season's European Cup semi-final.

Giggs is receiving praise from all corners recently, but Ferguson isn't carried away by the pageantry and realizes, through his selections, that Gigg's worth is multiplied against lesser opposition—his masterful day against Chelsea being a recent exception.

Though Sir Alex recently suggested Giggs would be deserving of Player of the Year consideration this term, the Welshman's number of appearances—16 overall. compared to Vidic's 34—and in which competitions he makes them—just nine in the EPL—proves his realistic worth, and Fergie's appreciation of it.

Giggs tore Derby apart at times today, but his wisdom is more suited to beguile lesser opposition, meanwhile against tougher sides his lack of speed means he might be lucky to make the starting eleven throughout upcoming landmark matches.

Other positive signs were Johnny Evans returning from his own injury absence to reaffirm himself as firm third option at center back, while Darren Gibson marshaled the midfield at Pride Park with ease as deputy for the rested Michael Carrick.

Patty Evra positively returned and started after only featuring once in January, against Chelsea, on the heels of a three-match suspension, only to become injured in that match, missing another month.

Rafael had a positive run-in, and will be a great, yet slightly naive, attacking option at right-back through the course.

United have a midweek fixture at home to Fulham in the Premier League, following it up again at Old Trafford this weekend versus Blackburn.

Both opponents should offer more opportunities for some squad rotation, but expect Scholes, Vidic, Tevez, Berbatov, and Carrick to start midweek, although some might be given consideration on the weekend as United's European fixture, away to Inter Milan, looms the following Tuesday.

Wayne Rooney is slowly returning from his own two month injury absence. He should ride the pine against Fulham and Blackburn, getting some work in before probably starting at the San Siro, partnering the Bulgarian Berba. Tevez should be getting games off and on with the England striker throughout United's potential 33 remaining matches.

The depth in Manchester United's squad, as key players get much needed rest, hasn't derailed the clinical bulldozing in recent fixtures, and portends well before a truly epic matchup of two of Europe's three on-form sides.

With a nod to Barcelona, who seem to score four goals in every fixture and lead Real Madrid in Spain's domestic league by 10 points, United and Inter Milan too represent the most powerful club in their respective regions both on current playing form and recent domestic history over the last few seasons.

Inter manager, likable narcissist Jose Mourinho, surely fancies himself succeeding the father-figure he continues to subtly idolize—Sir Alex—just as he surely fancies himself for any of life's positions. He might be filled with more anticipation than any other from the San Siro as the hopefully classic contest draws closer with omen for all.

Manchester City Made Right Moves in January

Nathan Lowe — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:41:16 -0500

Intelligence, not desperation, ultimately prevailed in January for Manchester City and their rich owners, despite failing to pry Kaka from AC Milan.

The pursuit of the pricey Brazilian was mostly maligned by players and cynics, positing Doomsday theories for the Premier League and shaming City's almost superfluous bid.

Kaka chose to stay, which was probably the right decision for him, but it doesn't mean City were wrong to attempt.

While their audacious delegation to Italy failed, City succeeded to legitimize their status as an emerging top flight club. It was widely reported that Milan had accepted the bid, only for the player to decline the offer. As AC Milan took them quite seriously, Premier League teams may soon need to.

Instead of solely focusing on the Kaka saga with the rest of the world, the Sky Blues of Manchester finally addressed a defense that needed shoring for some time.

Nigel De Jong, the touted holding midfielder from Hamburg, was a rare prize in the European market. At 24, the Dutchman international has two qualities often not paired: steel and youth. His two performances for City confirmed his potential; his 30 caps for the Netherlands were also an indicator.

Finding a young midfielder, with experience, who can get stuck in, distribute the ball, and won't be overawed is a high prize and a rarity around the league, especially as 4-5-1 formations ring out among teams struggling to cope with the five or six premier clubs in the top flight.

City added a consistent performer to their defense when they signed the underused Wayne Bridge from Chelsea.

The 28-year-old Englishman suffered the last four years playing behind the more fashionable Ashley Cole. Now in Manchester, Bridge will provide some natural width to a seriously lacking defense. He should resume his contention for the national team with regular playing time, which benefits the club's stature and brings pride to English fans.

The arrival of Craig Bellamy is something many fans have had to cope with. The forward once described by Newcastle legend Bobby Robson as "a man who could start a fight in an empty room" is therefore a very well-travelled man, in fact, now at his eighth professional club.

But, City really only need the 29-year old this season—while he's in form, and before he gets injured—to reach the UEFA Cup spot they so desperately require to attract top-class talent in the summer. Such talent would then replace Bellamy.

Their final move of the window was quite a coup in itself, when City signed want-away Shay Given from the dysfunction of Newcastle. Given was a stalwart for the Magpies over the last decade, one of the few solids at an ever-changing club, during which time only Brad Friedal could claim to have enjoyed more consistently dominant form at goalkeeper than the Irishman.

In toto, City's moves during the window were much more pragmatic than most people suspected and some cynics hoped.

Being so ostentatiously rich meant other clubs saw them coming from miles away in their transfer pursuits. But, City weren't held hostage, and didn't pay especially exorbitant kitties, even though the wealth and willingness of the new owners was well-advertised.

City look certain to continue their quest to bolster ranks in the summer, where big-money deals are more viable as players consider the contrast in green of grasses on different pitches across Europe. Of course, the field at City of Manchester Stadium is rooted in boundless Arab cash, giving it a unique tint with a certain, added allure.

But in order to truly land the world's elite talent, City cannot waste time in proving their sincerity on the pitch, where, for 90 minutes, money has no bearing.

And with the sensible additions of the goalkeeper Given, the tackling midfielder De Jong, an in-form Bellamy, and an experienced left-back in Bridge, Manchester City are the most improved side in the England top flight during the January window.

Edwin Van Der Sar Credited For Nemanja Vidic's Dominance

Nathan Lowe — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:48:15 -0500

Manchester United defeated Everton 1-0 Saturday further en route on their bar-thumping, record-setting 12-match scoreless streak.

Edwin Van der Sar broke the English Football League record for consecutive shutout minutes as the Reds downed the Blues in a well-referreed, good-natured affair at Old Trafford.

However, Van der Sar is not the most influential in United's recent defensive re-branding.

The rearguard's strength traces back to both Nemanja Vidic and Patty Evra's arrival in January 2006.

All five members of the United backline, including Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville, made the 2007 PFA Team of the Year with United claiming nine members of the starting 11 (10 if you include Dimitar Berbatov, who made the team with Tottenham) as they won the Premier League for the first time in three years.

In 2007-2008, all four of United's defenders—with Wesley Brown at right-back—individually and collectively enjoyed their best seasons to date.

Including the Dutch goalkeeper, each member of the back line started over 40 games for United, allowing just 15 goals in the top flight. This earned both Vidic and Ferdinand places in the 2007-2008 PFA Team of the Year, Evra somehow second-fiddle to Arsenal's Gael Clichy.

The Red Devils also allowed merely six goals in 13 games en route to their 1-1 victory over Chelsea in the UEFA Champion's League final.

Van der Sar, undoubtedly providing stability much pined-after in goal, is highlighted for his performance during the penalty shoot-out in last season's final, though he saved just one in seven penalties. John Terry had more impact than did Van der Sar, infamously shooting his off-target, the crucial turning-point.

The Dutchman, revered for the inevitable penalty save against Nicholas Anelka to conclude the final, receives similar acclaim this season as United's defense again is the foundation for their assault on European football.

Without Ronaldo carrying the team as often as he did during his Balloon d'Or campaign last term, the cohesion in United's rearguard is made most prominent without the winger's dominance claiming the headlines.

But, in an era where defensive players, whether goalkeepers or defenders, receive much less credit for their class than those with more flare, perhaps the goalies rank slightly above the backs on the totem pole.

Van der Sar has only had to make 19 saves during the scoreless run. He was untested completely against Stoke City, Sunderland, and Middlesbrough, while Chelsea only found a shot on goal once. Out of 50 shots on target this season, the two-time European Cup winner has made just 41 saves and conceded nine.

In all of last year he made 130 saves and conceded 11.

Yet, despite being largely untested since United's defeat at Arsenal Nov. 8, Van der Sar is again claiming headlines while the stoic eastern-European Vidic is the true hero for United this season.

Vidic is the only member of the back-line, other than Van der Sar, to start and finish every game during the record-breaking streak since United's loss at Ashurton Grove. Rio Ferdinand missed five games with an injury and Patty Evra was partially suspended and now injured during the streak.

Vidic is perhaps the ultimate defender. His uniform is made of dirt. He flies in wherever he is needed, head-first if necessary, and simply has no peers physically. No forward in Europe, among United's travels during the last three years with Vidic, can claim to have come out ahead with the monster at 90 minutes.

Vidic has a great leap, is very flexible, and can clear with both feet. He is wiry, strong, and intelligent. He may not be fast, but he is not slow. His touch is not heavy.

Rio Ferdinand can claim to be the silkier of the two, but Vidic doesn't want completely. Especially this season, the Serb has shown undeniable improvement with his footwork, passing, and turning with the ball.

He is also powering forward to score vital goals, netting against Chelsea this season and scoring in the 90th minute against Sunderland during a tenuous period just prior to the FIFA Club World Cup.

Though being short-listed for the 2008 Ballon d'Or was an accomplishment, surely greater ones await for Vida.

Italy defender Fabio Cannovaro won FIFA World Player of the Year in 2006 based almost solely on his achievements during the World Cup. According to reports, he was not imperious with Juventus during the second half of their 2005-2006 campaign, and started slowly at Real Madrid next season after jumping ship when Juventus were relegated to Serie B.

Though, his victory was a rare coup for defenders against a media and viewing society that gives more natural weight to players with the more luxorious, attacking vim.

Attacking statistics translate into accolades, but so do trophies. 42 goals is a warranting achievement, and so was one World Cup.

With the European double success Vidic enjoyed last season, coupled with the record-breaking scoreless run for United, with more silverware on the horizon, the big Serbian monster is announcing his presence, with authority, to all, not just the nuanced, as the world's best defender on modern form.

Yes, there is a reason Van der Sar is so untroubled these days; his name is Nemanja Vidic.

Take notice.

Dimitar Berbatov Still Blamed for Tottenham Demise

Nathan Lowe — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:44:53 -0500

Former Tottenham director of football Damien Comolli has blamed the protracted transfer of Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United for Spurs' current woes.

Berbatov moved clubs at the 11th hour of the summer transfer window for £32 million in a move that had been quite overdue.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had made no secret about his love for the classy Bulgarian over the years and made comments to that effect during the transfer period.

Comolli also oversaw the departure of Robbie Keane, Bermatov's striking partner in what was arguably the most effective and dynamic attacking partnership of the 2007-2008 Premier League campaign.

How the Bulgarian is to blame for the club's demise is clear to Comolli: "I think the fact that Berbatov stayed so long, until the last day, made life for the coaching staff difficult."

However, United had been in for the player for years before the final day of the 2008 summer window when an inflated bid from Manchester City—which Berbatov denounced—made United increase their offer from £30m to £32m, which Spurs accepted.

Then coach Juande Ramos admitted as early as May 2008 that he realized the striker wanted to move on to a bigger club to play Champions League football, adding, "I'm sure the club would prefer to have the money because with the money they would be able to sign the players necessary."

Ferguson was coy initially about his pursuit of the striker, refusing to name which player he was after. Berbatov himself pleaded with Spurs for what he called his "dream move."

However, the transfer dragged on and became a saga. Berbatov made it clear he wanted to play for United after giving Spurs two fantastic years. Spurs, however, were holding out for more money without finding an apt replacement for the player.

On Sept. 1, 2008, Spurs sold Berbatov for £32m and bought Roman Pavyulchenko for £20m. Having sold Jermain Defoe the previous January, Spurs ultimately sold their three best strikers in 2008 for over £50m.

If Comolli and chairman Daniel Levy had accepted United's bid of £28m in July, instead of holding a month for £4m, the presence of Berbatov at the club, which Comolli blames for their current demise, would have been mitigated.

Of course, Spurs wanted as much money as possible for their star striker. If his presence was truely a nuisance surely they should have sacrificed a couple million pounds for the sake of their season?

When a player asks for a transfer to a specific club, which, in-turn, makes an exorbitant offer, the blame falls on people like Comolli and Levy, not Berbatov, for the future of their club.

In the current economic climate, as American President Obama heavily scrutinizes the bonuses of Wall Street executives, both Comolli and Levy might be thankful to be out of his jurisdiction.

Their own personal coffers were surely bolstered in direct proportion to Spurs' as they unloaded their players for the highest prices, in protracted transfer sagas founded in avarice, at the expense of the club's future, of which each are no longer a part.

Manchester United-Tottenham: United's Midfield Dominates Second Half

Nathan Lowe — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:02:38 -0500

Manchester United put Tottenham on cruise control in the second half in an open and stylish FA Cup fourth-round matchup.

Paul Scholes—turning and passing across a wet Old Trafford pitch, carving through a drained Spurs side—was the magic of the FA Cup embodied in a second half of great atmosphere and vintage United.

Spurs opened the scoring perhaps too early as Tom Huddlestone, with great technique, drifted in a brilliant pass into the only area Nemanja Vidic would have been beaten by Roman Pavyulchenko, who finished with instinct.

Spurs had their best spells in the beginning of the first half. Scholes was not yet stuck-in and turned the ball over very poorly on different occasions. Carrick was also idle, though debutant Fabio and Danny Wellbeck enjoyed themselves up and down the flanks for United.

With the excitement generated by brother Rafael's emergence this season, Fabio's debut was long-awaited and the twin showed the exact drive, pace, and bullishness that makes them both such exciting prospects for the future.

A player like Nani might find himself surplus as the Portuguese-speaking twins can be the little brothers to Ronaldo and offer the comfort and security that the star winger needs.

United were level after 20 minutes when Scholes, who had misfired quite certainly from range twice already, hit another shot off-target which was deflected in by Huddlestone.

United pilfered their next goal almost immediately after, as a sleeping Tottenham defense was undone by a creative side-footed chip from Carrick over the top. Berbatov latched on, through, and finished in-style with both power and accuracy from 18 yards—his first goal from range for United this season.

The first half teetered out, as it often does, and United put the game to bed after the break.

After the interval, both managers and sides deserve credit for playing openly and with good humor in a half truly dominated by United. Scholes, Carrick, and really the whole side guarded possession with a class Tottenham simply could not match.

The left-footed winger Zoran Tosic, hoped by United fans to provide the balance of flair and intelligence that Giggs has provided for so long, debuted on 72 minutes for Ronaldo.

The Serbian was nervy, very eager to pass the ball directly back where it came. To his credit, he did it well. Unexpectedly he used his right-foot nicely on a couple of occasions, but eventually found himself in the unenviable position of having to take on a defender and, in front of 75,000, the nervous winger did himself justice.

Although the pace was slower, United pulled all the strings and continued forward almost invariably as the Spurs couldn't manage to hold onto the ball with any consistency. Tottenham was run ragged, chasing United passes in every direction.

However, the end of United's forays deep, deep into Spurs territory were never matched with any finish worthy of mention. Huddlestone sat back and linked well into the midfield from defense to ultimately stifle United on occasions.

Tottenham's desire to get forward during this spell was exemplified by Pavyulchenko, who looked like some sort of awkward, haggard automaton that needs to be re-oiled and re-fueled.

Tottenham's old-boy Jermain Defoe came on for the Spurs at 72 minutes and cannot be verified to have had a touch during his tenure.

At this point Scholes was in a trance, turning on anybody in a white shirt as Old Trafford applauded.

The crowd also enjoyed spritely Tosic's debut as he passed with such willingness.

Tevez is "small, but quite capable of looking after himself," as the match commentator noted, and as the Lion exhaled after another tireless performance, the crowd cheered him too.

Spurs, though, lifted up their heads for one last push. Throughout injury-time, a ditch tackle from Tosic as well as a another cameo from Scholes—as he flew across the box, blocking a shot with his outstretched arms like the cheeky ginger-boy he is—held United on for the win 2-1.

Manchester United progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup—already through to the quarter-final stage in the Champions League, while atop the Premier League and through to Wembley for the Carling Cup final where they will face Tottenham again.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp might not fancy seeing United again this season, but with some players, like Huddlestone, the oft-maligned Assou-Ekotto, and Taraabt, all performing well today, the Englishman's squad is maybe deeper than he realizes.

Credit to both clubs for contributing to an honest, open match, where players from both sides were able to express themselves and the nature of English football.

(Player ratings next page)

Foster (7): Wasn't much he could do about the first goal but didn't always make the right decision on crosses. Punted well but not great.

Neville (7.5): Solid. Passed well. Defended well.

Vidic (7) : Rarely, rarely beaten. Was today. Finally, the truth is revealed. He's not a monster. He's human. The best defender in the world, on recent form, was not at his strict best today, but he still dominated after the goal.

O'Shea (6.5) : Really playing poorly going forward, and he often gets beat by attackers with any pace or guile. Did get stuck in the second half. Has to improve. He's getting his chance to play. He's gotta take it.

Fabio (8) : Only played 53 minutes and came off tired and injured. However, he plays with the joyful naivete as his brother does, showing great technique, pace, and uncompromising defending. The long-awaited debut was worth the wait.

Ronaldo (7) : Needs to be more selfish in attack.

Wellbeck (7.5) : Looked good out on the right wing. Had some guile and had some graft. Made some mistakes. He's young. Smarter with the ball than Nani.

Carrick (8) : Started slowly but supplied both goals on creative, intuitive passes.

Scholes (8.5) : Played poorly for 20 minutes and was better after that until the second half. Then, he turned back the pages, directing traffic and turning and dinking through a beleaguered Tottenham line-up as United passed the ball around willy-nilly. A really enjoyable 90 minutes from the fan favourite.

Berbatov (8) : Scored a YouTube goal today. Expressed himself always, not succeeding every time, but passed and controlled the ball gracefully.

Tevez (7.5) : Ran his heart out. Toyed with the Spurs defense at times. But, never incisive on his own. Passed the ball around with the rest of his team though.

Open matches like this are a rare thing in the EPL and it was a joy to watch.

Manchester United Own World Football

Nathan Lowe — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:21:20 -0500

The world is restored to its foundations; the stars resume their ordered march.

Manchester United, recently named by Forbes magazine as the world's richest sporting team at $1.8 billion, are top of the English Premier League, coiled for another famous second-half run to Premiership and European glory.

The Liverpool faithful have been led astray by their shepherd, Rafael Benitez, who naively crippled his own club with outlandish and ill-timed statements in an attempt to cover up his captain's legal woes.

Arsenal are in another valley of their trademarked eternal cycle of growth and decline, while Chelsea's lack of true width leaves their attacks predictable with their own captain aging.

United, however, after a famous campaign in 2007-08 which saw them crowned champions home and abroad, predicated by stout and youthful defense, and led forward by FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, are sitting pretty yet again.

Evoking the only cliche of the article, the season isn't won at the half-way point. And despite being through to the knockout stages of the Uefa Champions League, finalists in the Carling Cup, into the fourth round of the FA Cup, and top of the Premier League, it is conceivable that it may go wrong.

That argument is ageless, and founded mainly on the rationalizing hopes of rivals, as no other club, really, would prefer to be in any other position than where Manchester United are right now.

Though, Manchester United supporters are often maligned for being shallow, presumably for supporting the most dominant club in world football in the last 10 years because it is fashionable or easy.

It can be difficult to separate the band-wagoners from the bleeding Reds, and the latter are never immune to the stigma introduced by the former group.

However, there is surely great peace of mind and joy in placing convictions in a club, and supporting them with all your heart, to have that love reciprocated, in full, with competition, class, and glory, year after year.

Cristiano Ronaldo Crowned World's Best Player of 2008

Nathan Lowe — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:43:20 -0500

Manchester United prodigy Cristiano Ronaldo was named FIFA World Player of the Year for 2008 Monday in Zurich.

Despite suffering through a rather torrid beginning to the recent 2008/2009 campaign, Ronaldo trumped Barcelona forward Lionel Messi for world football's most prestigious individual award.

The first half of 2008 clearly belonged to Ronaldo, as he continued his unconscious form, often single-handedly obliterating the opposition en route to a gaudy 42 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils.

Defense was the foundation, and Ronaldo was the impetus which drove Manchester United to win the historic double, claiming success domestically and throughout all of Europe with Premier League and Champions League titles.

The most dominant season by any footballer this generation clearly took its toll on the young winger, as his form in the second half of the calendar year dipped dramatically.

Coming off serious ankle surgery after Euro 2008, Ronaldo, after attempting to hold United hostage for a move to Real Madrid, has struggled to regain any of the form that punctuated his displays during the memorable last season.

Mentally and physically drained, it was not until this weekend's performance against Chelsea that Ronaldo showed signs of emulating last season's sheer dominance.

Staying on top is hard for any club in any sport, even more so for an individual still so young and already with so much success, fame, and fortune.

The Ballon d'Or winner said in Zurich: ''This is the climax of a fantastic era for me. I'm happy and proud about what has been done by my team and what we have won. I am lucky to to be part of the history of a club like Manchester United.''

Messi, meanwhile, has been rioting up and down the Spanish coast this season for Barcelona and looks the early favorite for the 2009 title if each player's form continues.

Jermain Defoe In a Tale of Two Clubs

Nathan Lowe — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:43:39 -0500

Jermain Defoe is happily returning to North London after Tottenham signed their former striker for £15 million, less than a year after selling him to Portsmouth.

Eyebrows surely will be raised at the news—not so much at Defoe or even Portsmouth—but regarding Tottenham's schizophrenia in transfer dealings there is sure to be questions.

The North London side sold Defoe last January for £9 million, seeming to settle on the pairing of Keane and Berbatov whom were arguably the best strike-force in England for two years running.

Of course, Tottenham had overpaid for Darren Bent just prior to last season, and as Defoe struggled to cement playing time, his sale made perfect financial and footballing sense then.

Cue summer 2008, when Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy—who is surely the harbinger of this chaos—sold both Keane and Berbatov in excess of $80 million, cashing in at the expense of the club's immediate future. Supplanting his strike-force, Levy okayed the purchase of Roman Pavlyuchenko, the touted Russian striker who only knew one English word: "What?"

To be fair, the summer arrivals of David Bentley and Luka Modric appear good footballing moves, despite at least one questionable price tag.

Yet, Tottenham started this term with an unproven (and unlikely to prove) Darren Bent paired with the foreigner, while Defoe continued his renaissance at Portsmouth. Spurs manager Juande Ramos was inevitably the scapegoat for the most horrible start to a season in Tottenham's history, as both Bent and Pavlyuchenko admitted they didn't know how to play together.

Then Harry Redknapp entered the unfolding plot. Leaving Portsmouth for Spurs, citing something about "bigger clubs", the aging English manager parted with his FA Cup winning squad on the South Coast for glory in London. Redknapp left behind the team he molded, one of the form sides throughout the second half of last season.

Similar to Blackburn, when Mark Hughes left in favor of Paul Ince ("in favor" being used quite liberally), Redknapp left behind a squad that existed and succeeded mainly because of his leadership. And similarly, the team left to consume the exhaust of their manager's departure was divided, unmotivated, and unfocused.

The clubs traded fortunes and results, Spurs climbing the table immediately as Portsmouth plummeted with untried yet arrogant manager, former Arsenal legend Tony Adams.

To say that Portsmouth have plummeted since Adam's arrival would be an insult to all things plummeting. The pompous former defender immediately began plotting his club's demise; Portsmouth have only won once in the Premier League since the his appointment, that victory back in November at home to Blackburn, a run which includes huge home losses to Newcastle and West Ham United.

The players at Portsmouth don't seem to want to play for Adams, which was the same situation that plagued Paul Ince when Mark Hughes left Blackburn for Manchester City. A team well-crafted by the manager, vacated, discarded, and left to toil under inexperienced, overconfident former players turned managers.

Having sold Defoe and Diarra, Portsmouth, under great financial constraints, will likely be engaged in a relegation battle this season.

Back to Defoe, and Tottenham's questionable activity in the transfer market. Berbatov is often begrudged for his behavior at White Hart Lane, despite capturing the imaginations of the Spurs faithful like no other since David Ginola.

While the Bulgarian is derided, like former manager Ramos, the real culprit must be Levy. In one year the chairman sold his top three strikers, leaving the squad depleted up front, without addressing glaring concerns in central defense and elsewhere.

Somehow Levy subsists under the shadow of suspicion and antipathy. Simple arithmetic, factoring in television deals and Premier League earnings, levied against incoming and outgoing transfers, shows that Spurs owners are profiting greatly while the club suffers on the pitch.

Spurs status as perennial outsiders to the Champions League and Premier League contention is unlikely to change this year, but Defoe's arrival at least offers a compliment to either Pavlyuchenko or Bent, more likely the former.

Spurs essentially spent £6 million or more to loan the striker to Portsmouth for a year—who wasted no time utilizing his pace and adept finishing—only for Tottenham to realize how much they need him.

On the bright side, for once Spurs are on the right side of a recent transfer. They receive a player who has always been forthright about his love for the club and had performed very well for them in his four-year tenure—despite never really featuring consistently.

Again with a promising and cohesive striking partnership, and an intelligent, sensible manager, Spurs fans can look forward to positive summer transfers, unless Levy undermines the whole operation yet again.

(Tottenham beat Burnley 4-1 in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final tonight, scoring four goals in 15 minutes in the second half as Defoe watched from the stands.)

Manchester United-Southampton: FA Cup Magic Incanted, Fizzled

Nathan Lowe — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:17:51 -0500

The magic of the FA Cup proved more legend than reality. The spell was unbound on 35 minutes when Southampton, already down 1-0, were reduced to 10 men against the European Champions.

United travelled to St. Marys on the south coast today hoping to quench a relative goal draught. Sir Alex Ferguson named a typically second-string yet competitive side, seizing the opportunity to rest an overworked Cristiano Ronaldo and Park Ji-Sung as well as a still recovering Paul Scholes.

Carlos Tevez was absent on the team-sheet while young English striker Danny Welbeck got a rare starting chance to further impress with partner Dimitar Berbatov as Wayne Rooney occupied the bench.

Anderson partnered Michael Carrick in the center for the Mancunians, but the Brazilian has found his form this year sagging noticeably despite featuring prominently in his rookie campaign, the double-winning season at United last year.

Ronaldo benefited most perhaps from a mental and physical break. The best player in the world for the 2007-2008 season enters this new year doubtfully in the top three wingers in Manchester. Teammate Park and Manchester City's Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips have all played at a higher level this term as Ronaldo struggles to deal with the pressure his brilliance last season inevitably yielded.

Southampton started more spritely, with the Championship side forraying forward without too much result throughout the first quarter hour.

Giggs' first corner kick from the right side invariably swung out beyond the eight-yard box. However, Nani's attempt on 19 minutes swung naturally onto an open O'shea, whose header was saved point blank only for Wellbeck to nod in the rebound as United went ahead 1-0.

A reckless challenge from 19-year-old Scottish striker Matt Paterson ended all hopes for Southampton and neutral fans alike as he was shown straight red from referee Mike Reilly after 35 minutes.

Directly after the restart, an otherwise innocuous free-kick from Nani turned into a United penalty as a member of the wall raised an arm intentionally. Nani himself slotted home the resulting spot-kick as the game grew more and more predictable.

Giggs and Carrick came off 10 minutes into the second half in favor of Gibson and Possebon as the outcome grew closer to being foregone. Rooney joined the fray gratuitously after 65 minutes as United played in a testimonial to their own dominance, really.

The youthful South Coast outfit, bereft of capital and mostly devoid of any experience, was beset as the Red Devils casually besieged their side of the pitch. Darren Gibson finished from eight yards after an easy run from Rooney down the left side to score the final goal, making it 3-0 at full-time.

Fifty-five minutes of playing a man down did no favors for the small Championship club, but with an average age of around 21 in the starting line-up such mental lapses are likely to be quite commonplace.

United advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup to host Tottenham for the second straight year. Their next match is away to Pride Park in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Derby County.

Little more could be said or extrapolated from an easy victory for the Reds. With another simpler match midweek, most key United players should be well-rested for United's next Premier League fixture, a prize-bout at home to Chelsea at the weekend.

(Player ratings next page)

Van der Sar: [7] He didn't have much to do. How cliche.

Neville: [8] Another very solid match from the veteran; should be rewarded with a new contract shortly, according to his Scottish boss.

Vidic: [8] Composed. He is playing more with the ball at the back with Ferdinand absent; it's the one part of the Serbian's game which could use improving.

Evans: [7] Also quite composed, although he did have one mental lapse which resulted in a good Southampton chance.

O'Shea: [7.5] The Irishman enjoyed himself today. Filling in temporarily is no foreign concept to the squad player who has earned his paycheck this holiday season.

Nani: [7] Against inferior opposition, he had some joy. But, largely he is still as raw as when he joined the team two years ago May. He dribbles too much and makes poor decisions. Great athlete, though. How far will that get him?

Carrick: [6.5] Didn't do much. Rarely played the ball forward, virtually always preferring the safest route ultimately. A bit boring, really.

Anderson: [6.5] Glimmered into and out of the match throughout, alternating between lively and idle.

Giggs: [6.5] Some very strange finishing marked his day, and generally, as with most of his teammates, Giggs did just enough to keep this match comfortable.

Wellbeck: [7] Played well enough; there were hints of offside on the goal, but a tie should go to the attacker. Otherwise didn't look out of place playing against other teenagers, as you'd expect.

Berbatov: [7] Languid. Lazy. Serene. Call it what you will, but Berbatov has uber-class, as they say in Leverkusen. His unwillingness to shoot from any sort of range is a little alarming. He likes to play like a midfielder, as if United don't have enough strikers like that already (Rooney, Tevez). Berba held off Southampton defenders with the utmost ease today, but should have demanded being on the score-sheet against an overawed side.

Subs: Rooney [7] Energetic and goal-hungry.

Possebon [6] Anonymous and/or rusty.

Gibson [7] Swung in some crosses. Scored a goal. Should enjoy a few pints.

The only magic involved today was in the marketing and advertising as we all geared up for upsets; any chance of one here dissipated with the sending-off. United were careful not to over-exert themselves; I will be careful to do the same next time I find myself looking forward to a FA Cup third round match.

Manchester United-Stoke City: Berbatov Shines, Ronaldo Fades

Nathan Lowe — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:59:36 -0500

Manchester United set the stage for a long second-half run at the Premiership title today by traveling to Stoke City during a loaded matchday in the top fight.

United were probably quite knackered after a week-long trip to Japan, which saw them informally crowned "Best Club in the World" after winning the FIFA Club World Cup.

United's starting 11 was a bit misshapen on paper; Vidic slotting into right-center back as Evans filled in for a knocked Ferdinand, and Mancunian archlords Neville, Scholes, and Giggs all receiving rare starts. Fletcher partnered Scholes in the middle, with Tevez and Rooney each roaming along the frontline.

Scholes was happy to spray the ball around all game, stretching a small Stoke City pitch. His first errant pass was in the 46th minute when he simply missed his target going downfield. Fletcher himself was anonymous throughout virtually all of the match, which is rare for the Scot who has announced himself as a very reliable footballer this season.

Although United played well throughout the first half, it was Stoke who had the most opportunities, although most were half-chances. United were passing well, and the defense was imperious, as usual, with Vidic monster gobbling up header after header.

Passions from the first half carried over and were amplified in the second. Both Rooney and Ronaldo were flying about the pitch, the Englishman usually with his studs showing, and the winger usually ending up on his backside.

Wilkinson, Stoke's right-back, owned Ronaldo all match. In fact, if they were imprisoned together as cellmates, it is clear who would have assumed the more subservient role, and the accompanying moniker usually reserved for female dogs or fast women.

As Ronaldo increasingly became unstuck, he lashed out at the right-back, while on the ground, but it again went unpunished as similar actions had in United's last domestic match. Wilkinson did United and Ronaldo a huge favor, though, when he lunged into the winger on 72 minutes, getting sent-off and likely preventing Ronaldo from inevitably doing the same.

Our Portuguese star asset has carried this team over the past few years, on and off the pitch. Ronaldo arrived the summer Beckham departed, and the Englishman may as well have shared some choice words for the youngster at the airport. Ronaldo picked up where Beckham left off, being the central focus for the club in both marketing and attacking.

The pressure, though, is clearly getting to the winger. Much of it is self-administered. He is desperate to prove to everyone that he is the best footballer in the world, despite it already being a widely held belief.

However, last year, and especially in the year prior, Ronaldo didn't try to prove anything; he just played his football. But now, as arrogance and expectation take their toll on the young man, he fades further and further into the poor form that has characterized his 2009 campaign.

Tevez and Rooney play like doppelgangers of one-another, the major difference being the demeanor each assumes doing it. Rooney swears and charges brashly around the pitch, throwing elbows and generally just causing a raucous. Tevez, though, is never seen complaining, whining, or diving; he plays with great honesty and humility. Is this hubris not the surest sign of real class?

Rooney and Tevez rarely use their left foot, either to bring the ball to their right side, or carry the ball to their left, something which sells short so much of either's attacking potential. Each like to receive the ball on the left side, drop a shoulder, and carry it right, usually dinking it off to the overlapping Neville, before running back to the center, having accomplished nothing.

Berbatov was introduced on 64 minutes and his versatility would change the match.

Playing with his back to goal outside the penalty box right, the Bulgarian demigod coolly one-timed a forward pass to feed Neville down the flank. Berbatov seized upon the resulting cross and elegantly, with the faintest of touches, took it first past a bemused defender before poking it with his second touch to a well-positioned onrushing Tevez.

Tevez celebrated the goal like he was it's chief architect, while Berbatov, ever in-style, took a moment to keep his own counsel, fists clenched self-affirmed, before joining the United players sprinting to celebrate with the jubilant Argentinian.

Everyone comes out a winner, though. Tevez gets his name on the score-sheet, just his second goal this season domestically, and United gather the first three points of many to be accumulated in the coming months.

Berbatov, ever the pariah, was the unsung factor again for United, the deft hands that pick the lock for other players to kick open the door.

(Player ratings next page)

Player Ratings:

Van der Sar: [7.5] Made some decent saves. Goalkeepers usually get the short end of the stick when it comes to player ratings, but he did nothing wrong today and earned his clean sheet.

Neville: [8] One of his best performances this season. In a physical match, Neville maintained his composure and sent in many trademark crosses, overlapping with a real engine.

Vidic: [8.5] Monster devoured headers all game and made some acrobatic tackles on the pitch. Is there a more consistently dominant center-back in Europe? Juventus' Chielinni comes second to the Serbian who has few peers.

Evans: [7.5] Did precisely what was asked of him, and did it without aplomb or fanfare. Got forward for some set pieces and put his head in where it hurts. Evolving young defender. He might have saved Roy Keane at Sunderland if Ferguson had loaned him there, as Keane had hoped.

O'Shea: [6.5] Did very little going forward. It's hard to fault him, but he's got big shoes to fill in that position.

Giggs: [6] Ineffective all match.

Fletcher: [6.5] Faded into anonymity for much of the match, but a stellar performer all season.

Scholes: [8.5] The Ginger Prince put 91 solid minutes under his belt, fizzing the ball up and down the pitch, using different techniques for each pass. Pure joy to watch. His engine is more suited for a Fiat than a Ferrari, but his role in the club has been tailored for the demises that age brings.

Ronaldo: [5] His worst game in what is, thus far, his worst season at United. What is going on inside his head, only he knows, but the boy needs a rest, a tongue-lashing, or a really huge joint to get himself squared away.

Rooney: [7] Passed well. Couldn't really run past anybody. Missed one really nice chance. But, he is a great footballer, not always conducive to scoring, but still connects play quite well.

Tevez: [7.5] An extra .5 for scoring. Tevez never complains or bemoans decisions; he plays with great austerity and class. I was happy to see him so happy after scoring, but does United really need both Rooney and Tevez? If Tevez is unhappy playing second fiddle, perhaps greener pastures await the legendary Argentine.

Berbatov (62 mins): [8] Does what he usually does: Look unassuming and innocent, link play with deft touches and a great sense of positioning, and ultimately provide the x-factor that a stagnant United offense needed.

As Scholesy continues to regain his fitness, while Ronaldo hopefully takes a step back, United, with Berbatov, can move forward to the New Year with real stars in their eyes.

ESPN and the EPL: The Answer for Soccer in America?

Nathan Lowe — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 04:58:42 -0500

Why does soccer, European, American, or otherwise, not find the same scope of coverage on American television as other major sports?

The simple answer would be to accept that the sport is simply not as popular as its three major competitors. Analysis of the Nielsen viewing numbers may offer insight into the phenomenon and answer the question: Are people watching?

Perhaps they are not, and the lack of interest in America for the world’s most popular game is related to our own consumption of sports in this country. Are Americans simply used to watching the “big three”, just as the major networks are used to broadcasting them?

Or perhaps there is, in fact, a contingent of Americans, combined with Europeans living in America, who are willing and waiting to mass-consume world football as a marketable, elite sport.

Major world and European soccer tournaments find substantial viewership bi-yearly on ESPN, but strangely domestic American club soccer has failed to contend with baseball, basketball, or football for the sustained interest of most Americans.

Although there are some signs that soccer’s maligned trend for anonymity in America may be curbing, it is unlikely to change drastically in the short-term. Many reasons for this phenomenon are found within the production philosophies of soccer’s major carriers, the psyche of the American sporting public, and the sentiments cultivated from the sporting media, a negative image returned in kind by most consumers.

Producing the game

Although there is a contrast in production quality between the major soccer broadcast networks in America, ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel (FSC), the American sporting production philosophy is shared by both. The UEFA European matches on ESPN have higher ratings than MLS games because the European game is more popular; but, there is another difference which may be impactful.

In-match commentary for UEFA matches are provided by relatively established European commentators, using the stereotypically British combination of an officious, English play-by-play announcer with an opinionated northerner giving color remarks. Having drawn over one million viewers in last year’s finale, the long-running competition is a reasonably successful formula for the Bristol, Ct. sports network.

However, a slightly different, more contrasting philosophy is employed during the production of the American MLS Soccer brand, as evidenced during MLS Primetime on Thursday nights, utilizing a production style derived from the successes of other American sports.

Many commentators are former players; producers utilize soft stories to build human interest; sideline reporters give the “inside scoop” on touchline proceedings; and hackneyed studio analysts sustain consumer attention during extensive pregame, postgame, and halftime packages.

In short, while ESPN has the dedicated money to producing visually attractive soccer in high-definition, with many cameras and original commentary, it fails by trying to present the MLS as an American sport, instead of embracing the successful elements in English and European leagues.

Evoking the production models of other American sports has not proved successful for ESPN and MLS; the formulaic veins of commentary and production cater to the fans that are already interested in the other sports where the formulas originated.

They are unlikely to enjoy soccer casually, and not immediately; while soccer fans, European-American, or slightly socially deviant Americans, often gravitated to the sport sometimes by a dislike of these formulas, are left to consume these design and delivery elements derived from the sports they have grown to dislike.

Short of hiring established commentators from Europe to cover MLS matches, ESPN could break from English tradition to promote younger Americans to provide fresh commentary, provided they are knowledgeable.

In 2006, Allen Hopkins joined ESPN from Fox, where he had provided unique, vibrant commentary to European and South American matches, to cover the World Cup. However, his role was reduced to working soft angles and covering sideline field reporting.

Instead, Dave O’ Brien, a baseball announcer who had never covered the game before, handled play-by-play coverage during 2006, which led to many Americans switching to Univision, a Spanish-speaking cable channel, to avoid listening to O’Brien’s ignorant relaying of the game.

Fox Soccer Channel takes a similar approach to production, but fails admirably. Despite being part of one of the largest media conglomerates in the world, FSC appears to suffer from a lack of resource and identity.

FSC allows advertisements to take up roughly 30 percent of the viewing screen, at times, during matches. Fox Soccer Report, the SportsCenter of FSC, is actually produced independently in Canada by a private media company.

The disparity in quality between the Report’s set and design and that of its ESPN counterpart is glaringly apparent at first glance: FSR tries to adopt the futuristic, graphical appeal of its competitor but falls short drastically without the funding to produce it visually.

FSC has tried to push original programming, but few analysts and programs have managed to stand the test one season brought.

However, FSC gets one aesthetic right, generally sub-contracting the commentary for its EPL broadcasts from the British announcers at the match, which leads to a sense of authenticity and realism. Generally, ESPN studio analysts are just that; in the studio, while their commentary teams are often in Connecticut as well, when the action is taking place overseas.

Ratings, hopes up in 2008

In March 2008, after a full season with MLS, ESPN invested $64 million in an eight-year deal with MLS. The deal featured a regular Thursday night time slot and high-definition video and audio feeds.

JP Dellacamera, former professional and American national team player, and current analyst for ABC/ESPN, said: “I’m encouraged by the way ESPN is talking about covering MLS this year and like the dedication they seem to have for not just the MLS but for soccer as a whole.”

European club matches also performed well: The 2008 UEFA Champions League Final between English clubs Manchester United and Chelsea FC yielded a .8 rating, averaging 798,000 homes and 1,097,000 viewers, the single highest rating for a UEFA match in ESPN’s history, marking the first of 218 UEFA broadcasts on the network when viewership topped the one million mark.

In the summer of the same year ESPN carried all 31 games from the European Championship in Austria and Switzerland. All games were broadcast in high definition. Ratings were very good.

Through 16 matches of the tournament, ESPN2 averaged a .5 rating, up 67 percent from the time period a year before. Through six matches, including the quarterfinals, ESPN averaged a .9 rating, up 80 percent from the prior year.

The final from the tournament yielded a 3.1 overnight rating, which, according to EPLTalk.com, “shows is that there is a noteworthy, if smaller, audience on American television for big event international soccer outside the World Cup, both with and without local teams to drive it.”

In 2005, ESPN paid $100 million for the broadcasting rights to the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. The Connecticut based giant is also rumored to be interested in the broadcasting rights to the EPL when Fox’s deal expires in 2010. ESPN also recently inked a deal with the Italian Football Association to broadcast Italian top-flight and Italian Cup matches live online ESPN360.com.

Since 1998, Fox Soccer Channel has also been covering European national and club matches, with much greater density than ESPN. Fox, under Australian giant News Corporation, currently broadcasts English Premier League soccer in America, also having rights to Italian and South American club matches and various international matches.

However, until Oct. 1, FSC was not covered under Nielsen ratings. The Fox channel paid $7.5 million a year to be rated by Nielsen, the rating system used to gauge television watching habits in America.

“This is a big step for our network,” said David Sternberg, executive vice president and general manager of Fox Soccer Channel. “It will really put us on the map with the advertising community in a way we haven’t been.”

Early reports were outstanding. EPL viewership totals on the channel are just below ESPN2 MLS numbers, even though the EPL is aired on weekend mornings on a channel that goes to 33 million homes, compared to the prime-time spot on ESPN2—a network that reaches 96 million households—that the MLS enjoys.

The FSC broadcast of Manchester City-Liverpool, at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5, yielded 224,000 viewers, scarcely less than the 261,000 viewers tuning in, on average, to watch MLS Primetime Thursday on ESPN2.

Throughout the first two weeks of Nielsen coverage of FSC, European club matches severely outdrew domestic matches on the channel. MLS broadcasts of DC United-Chivas USA drew 39,000 viewers and FC Dallas-Toronto FC drew 32,000 viewers, while a college game between the University of South Florida and Louisville drew 20,000 viewers.

Matches between Manchester United-Blackburn and Liverpool-Manchester City drew over 200,000 viewers each. Both top-rated matches beat out NASCAR coverage airing concurrently on Speed, and the Liverpool-Manchester City match beat out NFL Primetime coverage airing concurrently on ESPN.

While soccer is not nearly as successful as other, dominant American sports, the recent data on both ESPN and FSC reveals promising prospects for the success of soccer on American airwaves. There is a substantial demographic for consuming European club soccer, as evidenced by the Nielsen ratings, if the content is delivered in the right way to the right people.

Time for ESPN to fully embrace the game

Fox Soccer Channel is credited with almost a decade of experience broadcasting EPL games, with little resources, against the grain of prevailing American sports culture.

The lack of dedication from the echelons at News Corporation, though, means FSC, in addition to being in standard definition, does not have the money to spend on the proper production and promotion of the game on the channel. Nor can they create quality original programming and otherwise capitalize on the exclusive featuring of the popular league on cable television.

Without the required funding and dedication from its front offices, Fox will likely be forced to relinquish the torch to ESPN, and the sport itself should benefit.

The coverage of the English top flight on ESPN has become a prospect in 2010, when the deal with Fox Soccer Channel and the EPL expires. ESPN’s recent deal in November, 2008 with Irish broadcaster Setanta over coverage of lower league English matches highlights a possible working relationship to broadcast EPL matches. An editor at EPLTalk.com editor describes it thus:

"If ESPN can make a move like this, what’s stopping them from aggressively bidding for the TV rights to the Premier League when they go on the auction block next year? Fox Soccer Channel currently owns the TV rights in the United States and sub-licenses many of the games to Setanta Sports, but Fox’s ownership of the rights will be in serious jeopardy if ESPN decides to throw its hat in the ring."

Viewing numbers already indicate niche, morning broadcasts of the EPL on ESPN would yield very positive numbers, as the FSC broadcasts of EPL already compete numerically with ESPN’s soccer coverage, despite being shown in less than half the households across the country, as stated.

ESPN has the monetary resources, high-definition television infrastructure, and advertising and marketing connections to make the game truly popular in our country.

The international network also has national credibility as a sports media provider; indeed, they are the trusted name for sports in America.

Just as so many millions watch college and professional football on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, so too would the millions of European soccer fanatics tune in to watch high-definition broadcasts of the English Premier League or Italian Serie A during the early weekend mornings, otherwise dominated by reruns and extensive pregame shows.

In addition to the large faction of American-based fans already obsessed with English and European soccer, broadcasting the EPL on ESPN would bring in the casual fan who wakes up to ESPN anyway. MLS would invariably benefit from soccer’s increased exposure, especially as ESPN could advertise MLS matches during EPL games to casual and avid fans.

However, for the cruel cycle of soccer history in America to break, it requires the courage and dedication of the American sports media, projected to the viewing public with authenticity. Soccer is a simple and natural game, to be viewed intuitively, without constant replays, montages, sideline reports, and other predominant American aesthetics.

Respect to the tradition of the sport, although foreign in origin, is required; America did not invent this game, as it did the other three flagship sports, but we can still embrace it.

A dedication to soccer from the trusted Disney Company would bring great validity to the game across the American sporting consciousness: If ESPN takes it seriously, the American viewing public, and the American sports fan, will too.

United Review: Berbatov, Vidic in Form, Others Not

Nathan Lowe — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:00:44 -0500

United travel to Tottenham this weekend after a regrettable showing midweek against Aalborg.

Several United players were not paying attention: Nani, Giggs, Tevez, Ferdinand, and even Rooney underperformed quite egregiously.

Let's start with Nani: He may be the worst footballer on the team. His corner-kicks are poor—they rarely beat the first defender. He is strong, fast, and knows tricks, but how to use them and when to use them is what eludes him. Nor does he know when to pass or, generally, how to do it.

Giggs cycles between performing averagely in Carling Cup matches and being outclassed during Premier League cameos. He could not figure out how to unlock a defense that was not complicatedly fastened. Giggs' through ball on three minutes was his best pass of the game, one of the few with any quality.

One thing appears certain: Nemanja Vidic is better than Rio Ferdinand. On form, throughout this year and last, Vidic is the best central-defender in the world. Ferdinand doesn't hesitate to remind the viewing public that he's still susceptible to losing focus and getting beaten. Considered broadly one of the best defenders in the world, Ferdinand benefits from his partnership more than he provides.

Tevez was a bulldog chasing cars. Desperate for a goal, he often leaves the very position he needs to occupy in order to score it. His head might be flustered, which is a shame considering how long he's had on the bench to get focused.

It's hard to suggest a player who recently scored four goals in Carling Cup match is not in form, but only one of his goals suggested good form, the others being opportunistic. Of course, it's far more important how well you are playing, and how capable you are, than how many goals you are actually scoring. Good play invariably results in more goals, over time.

Unfortunately, like Tevez, Rooney rarely dribbles across his body. Defenders surely are catching on that both will usually avoid dribbling with their left foot, or to their left side.

A commentator during one of United's recent games showered praise on Rooney, stating his maturation was underway, that, in fact, this season was the one he'd grow up in. Sadly, though, against Aalborg he showed little composure, flying around the park angrily.

Against a team generally lacking in class, a star player should be able to maintain his countenance. He might pick up a European ban for his troubles, and he might deserve it, too.

One thing Rooney can do is drop his shoulder, feigning left before going right. His best goals are scored in this manner—it may even be his trademark. But he doesn't do it enough, and his attacking play is usually stagnant when dribbling against defenders.

Anderson played well enough against the Danish side. When he dribbles past other midfielders he brings a unique element to United's attack. While both Carrick and Fletcher are playing very well consistently this season, both will pass long before they have to carry the ball.

Scholes ultimately entered to spray some balls around, but overall United weren't worried as Celtic led Villarreal 2-0.

With recent antics, Ronaldo has given himself a lot to prove. After mocking Villa fans, being sent off at Manchester City for handling, and walking off the pitch against Sunderland with an injury he recovered from enough to rightfully receive the Ballon d'Or, he clearly is applying a lot of pressure on himself to repeat the dramatic form he carried throughout all last season.

Dimitar Berbatov returns to White Hart Lane for the first time and the reception he will receive is questionable. While Spurs fans were appreciative of his class, the manner in which he was reported to behave himself, at times, was unbecoming to them.

Overall it should be positive, Spurs fans knowing when business simply became business, and remembering how entertaining the Bulgarian was throughout the spell he cast on them.

After the first couple games, Berbatov has been in fine form for United since arriving in September. The quality of his play is not quantified by goals, but Dimitar is not invisible, not to all, when he links up play, winning headers and passing 30-40 yards from goal as United push forward on the counter.

Unfortunately, simply seeing a lack of goals from a player provides an excuse for critics to critique. Commentators often don't invoke their root either, during Berbatov's little displays of grace, sadly unawares to so many. As their craft cultivates so much public opinion, some should, at least, do better. Five assists in the top flight apparently is not indicative of any significant effect to some.

The Bulgarian had several great ideas against Sunderland, flicking Rooney's shot skillfully, before later gliding through two defenders to feed a shot from Ronaldo, after which the winger walked off injured. Berbatov missed a clear header, but it's mere variance; he's a great header of the ball and he'll convert more of those than most.

His best game this year was against Manchester City in the recent 1-0 victory, despite his name not making many match reports afterwards. He brought the ball down in many situations where a turnover would have been expected, enough so neither it would have been commented upon.

He'll want to score more than ever in his return to London, and for a player of his class on form, against a defense that is decent without being great, his hope could and should be realized.

Chelsea Claim Record; Manchester United Hold Schedule Advantage

Nathan Lowe — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:49:50 -0500

With Chelsea's recent 2-0 victory at Bolton, the Blues claimed the record for most consecutive away wins in the top flight.

The subtext reads such: Most of the 11 victories were against sides generally found on the lower half of the table, with the exception of Everton and Manchester City.

Newcastle, Wigan, Middlesbrough, Stoke City, Hull City, Blackburn, and West Bromwich Albion, in addition to Bolton, comprise the list of consecutive away victories for the London club. That means visits to Everton, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham still await England's form side.

However, further north, lying in ambush at fourth in the table, is a Manchester United team who has already played most top sides away this season. United have already matched up away to Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Everton, Manchester City, and Aston Villa, among lessers, already this Premier League season.

Liverpool have already gone away to upper-tier teams like Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City, Everton, and Aston Villa, with visits to Arsenal, Manchester United, and Portsmouth still looming.

United's game in hand is a home match against Fulham that will take place on Jan. 2.

While Chelsea have managed an impressive away record over the last six months, it is Manchester United, buoyed by both the belief instilled by their tenured manager's history of success, and the harshness of their first-half schedule, are ensconced, poised quite dangerously to mount a charge to the summit come the new year.

Manchester United-Sunderland: Match Report and Player Ratings

Nathan Lowe — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 07:17:43 -0500

Sunderland travelled to Manchester in the aftermath of United legend Roy Keane resigning as manager from the North East club. United fans were denied the opportunity to hail their treble-winning captain; in his absence, Sunderland were focused only on preserving a scoreless draw.

Serving the second game of a touchline ban, Sir Alex Ferguson was again relegated to the stands, next to longtime friend and club director, the 1966 winner of the Ballon d'Or, Sir Bobby Charlton.

The newly appointed 2008 winner, United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, was the only United player frustrated in the first half as the Reds dominated possession against a recalcitrant Sunderland side.

Ronaldo himself was on both ends of several silly challenges, and continued his tendency to lose concentration during play. Relative to his high standards, the European Footballer of the Year had the poorest of first halves for a United player.

Ronaldo started well, however, and at 11 minutes he flicked on nicely to Berbatov who fired after a good first touch, slightly scuffing the shot at the Sunderland keeper.

At 13 minutes, Ronaldo made one of his best runs this year, eventually losing his balance but drawing a foul outside the 18-yard box.

Ronaldo and Rooney combined cleverly on the resulting free-kick. Ronaldo ostentatiously performed his pre-kick ritual before ultimately squaring to Rooney, who fired low into the corner, but Berbatov flicked the shot back at the keeper.

After 27 minutes the statistics didn't lie: United had completed 189 passes to Sunderland's 70, leading 6-0 on shot attempts. After a half hour, the United fans began their first and last Keano chant, as it rang out loudly around Old Trafford throughout several iterations.

A minute later, United's new No.16, Michael Carrick, passed brilliantly with his left-foot but a poor touch from Rooney snuffed out what should have been United's first goal. The first half ended after 10 minutes of rather dull, one-sided football.

As the second half started, Rooney was again seen giving Ronaldo a pep-talk in the center circle, just as he did before the Derby match last Saturday. The second half started as the first half ended; slowly, with United dominating play but failing to find meaningful shots.

The substitutions started after 56 minutes. First Ji-Sung Park came off for Carlos Tevez; Old Trafford's cheers could have been for either player, Park having put in another effective shift in red.

After an hour, the ever-smiling Dwight Yorke enjoyed what was likely his last of many curtain calls at Old Trafford as he came off for Teemu Tainio, while Ronaldo nursed a newly- acquired knock.

Several minutes later, quite inexplicably, Ronaldo implored to be substituted, kicking the ball out to touch, scowling, and walking directly off the pitch, as Fergie scrambled to call down to the touchline.

United played the next three minutes a man down until Giggs entered for Ronaldo and Anderson substituted for Fletcher.

Kenwyne Jones came on for the Black Cats to partner Cisse up front, perhaps now fancying their chances of nicking all three points as United pressed desperately.
Giggs and Rafael each showed their age on 70 minutes when the youngster broke through two Sunderland players to drive the ball down the wing, eventually crossing well for Giggs who completely miscued an ambitious volley.

Anderson, dribbling, instead of passing, through midfield, with purpose and pace, gave United a new energy.

Giggs' next contribution was another errant pass which ended a long United build-up, each goal-kick absorbing 30 seconds off the dooming game-clock. United's next attack ended with Giggs sending a long-cross over the heads of each player in both colors, and most spectators.

Berbatov missed the then best chance of the game on 74 minutes, as Carrick crossed onto the Bulgarian's head, six yards out, the flick flying over.

United pressed forward, as ever, with constant half-chances, Vidic heading at the keeper on 80 minutes.

A usually quiet Old Trafford erupted on 81 minutes, immediately inspiring two great opportunities for United, both squandered, as Sunderland clamped down the hatches and rigged for dive.

Vidic and Ferdinand inhaled all of Sunderland's forward play, and United ended the game constantly winning corner kicks as Sunderland invariably cleared.

The anxiety around Old Trafford was palpable.

On 90 minutes, Nemanja Vidic, apparently on his own simple, blunt, attacking intuition, made a lumbering 50-yard-run through midfield as Carrick shot from range, the strike coming off the post to the plundering Serbian. Vidic shanked his shot into the back of the net and Old Trafford's relief valve was finally opened, 1-0.

Rooney picked up his fifth yellow card of the season on 92 minutes, the first card of the game; Referee Mark Halsey, refreshingly, has only issued nine yellow cards in 10 games this season. Rooney will now miss the next Premier League match against Tottenham.

United's trademark for late winners hasn't showcased overly since Van Nistelrooy plowed the grass in Manchester, but Vidic was able to extract one more moment of inspiration from the United's historical pool of brilliance. Three points were vital to maintain relative parity with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool, all having already won today.

A victory like this might tend to be overlooked in the long-run, but the timing is especially crucial as United enter a grueling portion of the season, travelling to Tokyo for the World Club Championships before finishing the year in the famously congested holiday season in the English top flight.

You'd never begrudge Sunderland for circling the wagons in the midst of such a foul time for their club; however, only United fans went home happy today.

Player Ratings:

Van der Sar: [6] Didn't have to do anything. What rating do you give a player who doesn't have to do anything? Six.

Rafael [7]: Played with great energy; wasn't perfect, but another 90 quality minutes under the belt of our future right-back.

Ferdinand: [7.5] Orchestrated our movement into midfield after constantly quelling weak Sunderland attacks.

Vidic: [9] "Monster" dominated a quicker Cisse, using positioning and strength imperiously. Inexplicably made a hugely ambitious run, plundering with Serbian single-mindedness, saving three precious points that United hugely deserved.

Evra: [7] Patty did little wrong today, but has enjoyed more attacking success against other teams. One of our most consistent players.

Ji-Sung: [7.5] Showed some skills in addition to his expected doggedness. Unsung Ji-Sung as usual.

Carrick: [8] Getting forward much more than last year. Currently enjoying a run of form stretching over several weeks. Shooting from range with his left-foot, effectively, gives great evidence to his newfound confidence.

Fletcher: [7.5] It's easy to argue how competitive Sunderland's midfield is, but against it, Fletcher looked quite dominating.

Ronaldo: [6.5] Ronaldo's runs last only into the opponent's third where last year, with a healthy ankle, he'd get a good shot off or reach the byline. He was frustrated throughout, despite some good play, and eventually just walked off the pitch, his second rather inscrutable act in as many EPL matches.

Rooney [8] Passed and ran well; very mature display. Appears to have Ronaldo's ear, and the winger could use the advice. Rooney is in good form despite lacking goals.

Berbatov [7.5] Berbatov is the classiest player on most pitches he plays on; however, his lack of aggression and sometimes questionably passive decision-making means a lack of overall effect. The class inherent in his balance, touches and reading of the game will be lost in history without the tangible results to support it.

Manchester United-Manchester City: Red Half Should Reign on Sunday

Nathan Lowe — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:57:32 -0500

Timing and circumstance are cooperating in perfect accord for a United result over City on Sunday.

Alex Ferguson's side are coming off consecutive unsavory results and performances two weeks after losing tragically to Arsenal at Ashburton Grove. A nominal pounding of Stoke did little to quench United's boiling rapacity, nor did their hard-fought blank with Aston Villa or their customary, friendly nil-nil with Villareal.

When United themselves were tore up by Arsenal, it was largely along the Red's right flank. Gary Neville was left to handle both Nasri and Clichy as the right-sided midfielder, Ronaldo, was playing forward to link counter-attacks. Neville and United were exposed; the introduction of Rafael not only provided their only goal but served to finally stymy the Gunner's artillery.

Rafael and Evra would be ideal candidates to deal with City's two prodigious wingers, the reborn Shaun Wright-Phillips and the ever-dancing Robinho. Despite scoring on his City debut against United last year, Benjani is unlikely to threaten an in-form Vidic. Stephen Ireland is another City player on song lately, and Fletcher would be expected to hamper his influence, with either Carrick or Anderson deployed to bring the attack forward.

Up front, the return of Berbatov inevitably adds several angles to United's attack with Rooney the likely benefactor. The Englishman is focused on the game, stating Friday: "It will be nice to show them who are the kings of Manchester. I missed both derbies last season and that was really frustrating..."

Rooney added quite certainly: "It doesn't irritate us that City are getting all this publicity. If they were winning trophies it would irritate me but while they are still lingering in mid-table I am not really too bothered about it."

A positive result portends elsewhere in the squad. Ronaldo, as ever, appears absolutely on the verge of mania if he doesn't score some goals fast. Ronaldo seems to prefer attacking down our left-side and, if in position Sunday, should have joy against City's young right-back Zabaleta, while Evra, Vidic, Fletcher, and Park Ji-Sung are also enjoying spells of form for United.

United will look to swashbuckle through a City defense sometimes found frail and lacking confidence, with Ben Haim and Richard Dunne each making clownish mistakes throughout their four consecutive losses prior to last weekend's win over Arsenal.

Man City are still basking in the afterglow of both the Arsenal victory and Thursday's unexpected 2-0 result at Schalke, guaranteeing advancement from the UEFA Cup group stage. Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips are twin blue angels of tricks and pace, and each are likely to expose United's outside defense at least once. Elano and Stephen Ireland should also both feature throughout.

It should be a high-scoring affair, with United having the clear impetus to defeat the side who overcome them quite heroically last year, as City did the double over their more illustrious, more successful neighbors. Coupled with the past two weeks of indifferent results, United are focused to start a long run of attacking football, and its inevitable results, starting Sunday against their despised rival.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Losing Face For World And European Honors?

Nathan Lowe — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:23:10 -0500

The signs for Cristiano Ronaldo to be rightfully enshrined as the best player in both Europe and abroad may have started to point in the wrong direction.

Nominations and short-listings for each reward invariably offer a few peculiar names, while sometimes the omission of a player—Del Piero—is most conspicuous.

The somewhat arbitrary nature of both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations don't reassure against the possibility of Ronaldo being penalized due to the egregious immaturity he's displayed lately.

It was reported today that Ronaldo is doubtful for the midweek Villareal clash with a leg injury. Although, seeing him walk out of Villa Park—regrettably taunting fans, appearing near tears, in an unhappy, juvenile display of self-assurance—I wonder if his emotions are what really need healing.

After arrogantly demanding an offseason trade from Manchester United to Real Madrid—not for the first time—Ronaldo continues to recover from summer ankle surgery. Though not yet displaying his world-beating form, the attacking ace still has found twine nine times into the 2008-2009 season, but instead of enjoying the serendipity of scoring without playing well, Ronaldo has been impetuous on the pitch.

Each time he is felled, as is his wont, he makes faces and emotes his tragedy, complaining to line judges and referees, gesticulating yellow cards on and arguing with opposing players, and mocking opposing fans. It's not against his nature to be found complaining with teammates over lack of service, never appearing to take accountability for his own mistakes, much less acknowledging them.

He does it all with a foul air of conceit he may not ultimately deserve.

In fact, in exercising such levels of arrogance he is perhaps creating and fulfilling his own prophecy of shockingly missing out on an award he would otherwise deserve, were it not for his recalcitrant and childish behavior.

There are differences between self-esteem, confidence, and arrogance; the first being most crucial, which yields the second; the over-indulgence of which begets the third. He has an overabundance of the last, without the solid foundation on which to support it.

Does Sir Alex Ferguson take attitude from Ronaldo?

With the No.7 leveraging a move away from Old Trafford each offseason, it'd be no surprise if the United manager has trouble controlling the player. How can the gaffer discipline Ronaldo when he is the clear nucleus of United's success, especially when he hangs his future with the club so preciously over their heads?

Managing personalities is not foreign to Ferguson, having already watched names like Beckham, Cantona, Keane, and Ince come and go through the revolving door.

In fact, it is sharp, fatherly discipline that Ronaldo may need most; the proverbial flying boot. The winger simply appears on the outskirts of self-control, and he needs it back. Ferguson is the man to bring it to him, and not through softness or leniency, but through the omission on a line-up card and the tacit, forthright, hair-drying treatments that made the old Scot famous.

Ronaldo must grow to realize and accept, sooner than later, that his class demands underhanded defending; he must be fouled to be stopped. His reputation for diving doesn't help him getting calls, nor does it absolve referees the accountability of missing some calls, either.

Ronaldo's status as the world's best, or close to it, should be expressed in assured self-confidence (see: Zidane), not hubris.

Both the European and World Player of the Year trophies are given each winter to commerate the form of their recipients throughout the calendar year, without respect to the timing of European and domestic professional campaigns.

Ronaldo, despite enjoying such a historic finish to last season in June, might regret failing to realize that the world has still been watching him over the past several months that followed.