Tuesday, May 11, 2010

ManUtd.com's 09/10 review

Here is some of the reviews made courtesy of Manutd.com. Kind of refresh your memories of what happen for the season. Don't wanna let you dudes forget what have we achieve last season with some funny thoughts from our Manutd authors.

ManUtd.com's editorial team pick out the finest and funniest moments of 2009/10...
BEN HIBBS, deputy editor
Favourite interviewee Patrice Evra and Rafael are characters, and Paddy Crerand gives you some great lines - most aren't suitable for print - but Darren Fletcher is always a willing and honest talker. Plus, his twin toddlers joined in our chat earlier this season. Fletch: Who’s your favourite player? Twins in unison “Roooooneeey”. Who else do you like? “Gibbooooo”. Both as energetic as their dad on the pitch – all I can say is good luck.
Press box drama I was on my third rewrite of the match report for September’s 4-3 derby win as the scoreline see-sawed from dramatic 3-2 win to infuriating draw, then to unconfined elation as Michael Owen toed in a 96th-minute winner. Press box impartially? Pah!
Best away trip Wolfsburg. Germany’s Middlesbrough. But the Volkswagen Arena impressed, as did a makeshift United defence, Michael Owen bagged a hat-trick, and some young lads got priceless experience of a first-team trip.
Breaking news... Back on 11 June, being asked to write that we’d accepted Real Madrid’s £80m bid for Cristiano Ronaldo nearly made me choke on my cornflakes.
At the press conference Sir Alex shrugged off rumours of impending retirement with characteristic colour. "Absolute rubbish," he said. "I've no intention of retiring. (To journalists) You'll be gone before I am!"
Absurd rumour The words “United are ready to launch a sensational bid for Sol Campbell” still make me chuckle.
Top Red Patrice Evra. Funniest player by a mile. I can’t get over how he said he played with meat in his boots to protect an injury at Monaco. World's best left-back – Ashley Cole, you’re not a patch on Pat.
STEVE BARTRAM, contributing editor
Favourite interviewee A chat with Danny Welbeck had us in stitches as we discussed his questionable goal celebrations. He maintains he ‘went numb and blacked out’ for his jig after scoring against Stoke. Top guy.
Press box drama Not only do United put us through the mill as fans, it can be hazardous to write a report before the final whistle. Of all the late turnarounds this season, CSKA Moscow was the most nightmarish. It seemed safe to begin a downbeat assessment of a shock defeat, only for two goals in the final six minutes to seal a draw – and we almost won it! Ctrl+Alt+Del. Again.
Best away trip Shame on me, the closest thing to an away day out for me this season was the staff trip to Wembley. Nevertheless, a great day out. Entertaining game, too.
Breaking news... I arrived after Ben on the day Ronaldo’s sale was agreed. I can still picture his hassled little face, bless him.
At the press conference Jonny Evans’ squirming was hilarious in September’s pre-Wolfsburg presser. Conversation somehow turned to marriage, at which point Jonny quickly tried to usher the topic along to something else, as his girlfriend was sat among the reporters. Rather than help him out, Sir Alex bellowed: “Get him tied down dear, rings are cheap now!”
Absurd rumour At the time, Michael Owen to United. It was only after chatting with a couple of people in the know that I believed it.
Top Red Rooney’s the obvious choice, but I buzz off watching Patrice Evra bomb up and down the wing as if his life depends on it.
ADAM BOSTOCK, editor
Favourite interviewee Sir Alex. I anxiously awaited a Monday morning appointment, just hours after United’s loss to Liverpool at Anfield. But, unlike his team, the boss was on form and gave a great interview.Press box drama For some reason known only to himself, our Korean website editor Kim raced from his seat next to me as soon as Park scored the fourth and final goal against Stoke. I thought he was airport-bound, as if he’d seen what he’d come to see. “See ya, I’m off home to Seoul for the summer.” He did, however, return to finish his match report.
Breaking news... The signing of Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez caught everyone by surprise – it’s rare that such a deal is done without prior speculation. So it was great to announce his arrival, even with just a couple of hectic hours’ notice in which to prepare English and Spanish versions of the story.
At the press conference The collective sharp intake of breath when a national newspaper journalist questioned Gary Neville’s place in the team on the eve of the Chelsea match. But instead of berating the hack for daring to try and pick his team, the boss defended his skipper, and we all breathed again.
Absurd rumour Maybe I’ll have egg on my face in the future, but is Laurent Blanc really among the front-runners to succeed Sir Alex? I’d imagine United would want to appoint someone with more than three seasons of managerial experience, even if the Frenchman has made a fine start.
Top Red I’m not the first to say it but Antonio Valencia has had a great first season for United. His direct wing-play and delivery of quality balls from the byline would surely have helped Wayne Rooney win the Golden Boot had the pair not had end of term injury problems.
NICK COPPACK, contributing editor
Favourite interviewee Has to be Patrice Evra. Warm and welcoming, the Frenchman's company is a pleasure. And you're guaranteed memorable quotes. Nick would also like to point out that he likes Evra's penchant for speaking in the third person.
Press box drama You take your laptop to games but never expect to type with it on your lap. That was the case at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena, after my media accreditation had gone awry. Panic ensued, but I finally secured a desk minutes before kick-off... luckily the match proved routine with no last-minute goals or major injuries to cover. Hang on...
Best away trip Nothing tops April's visit to Eastlands. In the blazing spring sunshine, it seemed the fourth derby of the season was stuttering to a 0-0 draw. Then up popped Scholesy. I lost my shoe in the celebrations... and no doubt some small shred of dignity.
Breaking news... Sir Alex wasn't revealing much about the severity of Wayne Rooney's injury in Munich, so I was among a small group of journalists waiting for what seemed like hours for a glimpse of him leaving the Allianz Arena. When he emerged, I captured some exclusive video and posted it on ManUtd.com before the major broadcasters. Cutting-edge!
At the press conference Sir Alex's media get-togethers are always interesting. The boss curtailed one pre-match press briefing in Moscow after being grilled over the FA's decision to charge him with improper conduct, and there was a rather heated exchange following United's exit in the Champions League. He's just as quick to chastise them for their shabby dress.
Absurd rumour Word spread like wildfire around half of Manchester that City were top dogs in town. Three injury-time wins and thousands of broken Blue hearts later, it's funny to think anybody believed that rubbish.
Top Red I was over the moon when Paul Scholes signed a new contract. Some doubt that he has the legs to do it in the big games, but I believe watching him "pass teams to death" (as Gary Neville put it) is worth the price of my season ticket.

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