Champions League 2013/14

Why does it seem like Carroll believes that a manager's only responsibility is to not sell good players/not buy bad players?

Moyes getting Carrick to do the post match interview. Nice one.

I'm still too depressed to speak about everything, tonight was just horrible.

''That's the worst we've played in Europe, we didn't deserve to get anything.'

''I'm surprised, I didn't see that level of performance coming. I take responsibility, we have to play better.

'The players are hurting."

Well fuck me sideways. Didn't expect that.

I was expecting him to blame the pitch, wow.

This made me smile though:

The last time Olympiakos beat MUFC was in 350BC. It was 2-1. Aristotle & Plato for the Greeks, Giggs with the consolation for United.

— iFootball_ (@iFootball_) Permalink

For Carroll xoxoxox:

Tbf Man Utd have been a one man team for about 10 years.

That one man was Fergie.

As I said at the start of the season, it'll be good to see Man Utd being a normal football club again.

I think your definition of normal has been warped by years supporting Newcastle.

I knew United have been terrible this season - but this is getting out of hand. As good as Olympiakos were, United were so so awful. Couldn't keep the ball, no ideas when attacking and untrustworthy in defence. I keep thinking before United play - surely it can't get any worse, but it does. How much more time do ye want to give to Moyes before he totally screws things up? United are far to big to let what happened to Liverpool in the 90's happen to them now.

Although, as a Liverpool fan, I'm not complaining, this is hilarious to watch. But still. AND. We're playing ye 3 days before the 2nd leg

When I said he hasnt made you any worse I obviously meant squad wise.

You cant just blame the manager for your bad performances. Its as much the players fault. You have to admit you played shit for large parts of last season too, which showed back then the squads not good enough.

Most clubs constantly "underachieve"

Ie: their fans want more than whats happening on the pitch.

I don't count clubs like Man City etc who just buy their way to the top as anybody with money could do that.

Olympiakos were awesome. Rio was so unbelievably shit. Utd's "tactics" were just woeful.

I've calmed down a bit, so hopefully can give you a slightly more rational response.

The squad last season was largely good, there were issues, sure, and no one will deny thats true and it showed clear signs of being transitional.

That was about it, we had a young goalkeeper whose amongst the best in the world, a right back who was incredible, three youngish centre backs (or two young ones and Evans, however you want to put it) and whilst our left back was looking a bit knackered we had a really promising looking one out on loan who many thought would tie the position down for years.

Carrick had just had his best season in a United shirt, and been excellent for a few years, and although he was the wrong side of thirty looked to have at least a few more seasons on him. Even the wings weren't terrible, Valencia was appalling and Young not much better, but we'd just signed Zaha and Januzaj was known to be outrageously talented, there was massive hope for a return of Nani of old, too.

Upfront we were well stocked, RVP was on fire. Rooney did ok, and even then with rumours he might leave Kagawa had done enough to convince people it wasn't all doom and gloom. Welbeck had had a poor season, but most recognised he wasn't a winger (and he's done well when he's been back up top this season).

The reason there were complaints last season is because the squad was looking really promising, we were perhaps one midfield signing away from really getting somewhere with it and with the addition of a quality winger would probably have one of the better squads in Europe. So poor performances were frustrating because they could do better. Also Ferguson made some utterly bizarre decisions at times: Giggs in that Madrid game, Giggs in a two man midfield etc...

In fact, the number 1 reason Moyes got ANY support over Mourinho was because it was perceived to be a choice in evolution over revolution, it was specifically BECAUSE it was thought Moyes wouldn't rip the squad up, would make the addition or two we needed, and then carry on that he got the gig in first place.

Then Moyes arrived, after a ridiculous chase of Fabregas, he began a slow campaign of convincing people that everything was shit. This has masked the fact that its really just him thats been shit: he has no awareness, even when he gets things right he doesn't seem to understand why. We did well at the weekend, it was a really encouraging performance, and then he dropped Januzaj for no reason, dropped Fellaini for no reason (who had had his best game in a United shirt since Leverkusen) and then picked the two 'hard working' (in quotes because its a myth) wingers in Valencia and Young.

You might think I'm being harsh, but I'm really just a reflection of what every United fan (apart from Sam who, fair fucks to him, is verrrrrry patient), to put it in to perspective there's a poll on redcafe now 'Should Moyes Go?' Yes is currently winning with 146 votes, No has 18. 16 of those No votes have come from opposition fans.

Edit: And every squad has issues anyway. Chelsea don't have a striker, neither do Arsenal; City are pretty shit defensively when Kompany doesn't bail them out, Liverpool concede goals by the bucket load. Our squad is as 'flawed' as all of those, they just deal with it far, far better. Mostly because their managers aren't clueless.

Double Post; Moyes fault.

Moyes is dire but fuck me, Rio Ferdinand is a disgrace. Is this the same player that was one of the best defenders in the league last season and was arguably the best English defender going? People slag off Cleverley all the time (which is fair enough because he's shit) but Ferdinand is meant to be pretty good.

It seems to me that he gives more of a fuck about his shitty #5 brand or whatever than being a player anymore.

Also, Joel Campbell \o/

It's taken Liverpool years and a lot of money to overturn the post-Benitez mess, and I think it's going to take a similar period for Man Utd to bounce back. But imo Man Utd need a completely new squad.

Nah he's been shit for about 2 seasons, which is why nobody bothers to mention it.

He was decent against you, but thats been it for aaaaaaages.

He was good last season Ferdinand.

Not anything spectacular but definitely better than he is now.

Better, but still not good.

I thought he was really good last season, seemed to be having a bit of an Indian summer.

This season he doesn't seem to give a shit. It seems to be that all the big characters and leaders at United don't seem to be doing their bit - Ferdinand has been shit, Evra not much better, and Vidic - the fucking captain - has jumped ship as soon as he could. I guess Rooney has done alright but there's not many others.

Well nah, he wasn't.

Vidic was also a bit shit last season and Evra's been a bit crap for about 3 year, masked by the fact he scored loads of goals from corners last season somehow. If not for Moyes complete failure to add any quality at central midfield, and if not for Moyes bizarre decision to sell the only player who can somewhat competently cover at right back we should be playing any 3 of Smalling, Evans or Jones there, as we should have been last season.

To quote AC/DC, Hell ain't a bad place to be.

Fantastic volley from Huntelaar. Not a bad consolation.

Bale scoring another brace? I admit I don't watch Spanish football, but looks safe to say all the boring cuts rambling on about Real selling a better player and buying a worse one for commercial reasons, look like dicks.

I like that the fans in the stands all celebrate.

Arsenal have only named six subs tonight, Miyaichi was meant to be the seventh, however Arsenal forgot he is ineligible. Oops.

Hope Arsenal make a good game of this

Andy Townsend is such a fucking cunt.

Podolski was being stupid at times, already on a yellow and asking for another at times. Ozil has been a bit shit. Arsenals bench is so bad though