Dark Times for United?

I'm a huge Manchester United fan and this article by John Leicester of the Associated Press, brings out the fears that I've been feeling for quite some time. This season has been a huge disappointment and the continuing downward struggle I've been noticing, in particularly the FA Cup disaster makes me think of Leeds United's fall from Footballing grace. I may be jumping the gun as to say Man U will be relegated, but a Cup drought doesn't look too unlikely. Check out the article and let me know your thoughts. Will United recover or has the high price of winning and keeping up with the spending power of their rivals finally caught up with them? Do you think the Glazers have ruined the club? Is this all paranoia?

Pre-Christmas Roundup

A few items as we head into the Christmas holiday...and all those Boxing Day matches!

Don't know what to give your loved one? How about a massage?

Will Manchester United put a little Pep in their step?

With the new NASL breakaway league making all the noise, we've all forgotten about what's left of the USL. The PDL announced their alignment today and there are a lot of teams in that league.

According to Ives, Jermaine Jones' rehab at Schalke isn't going so well. Sucks for all the USMNT supporters.

Do you ever wonder what MLS coaches do during the offseason? Sounders FC goalkeeper coach, Tom Dutra has been in Hoffenheim, Germany learning from 1899 Hoffenheim. Check it out, it's an interesting read. He also got to see Jens Lehmann's bathroom break that ODB told you about.

Finally, here are the 30 players that Bob Bradley called into the January training camp.

UEFA Champions League Draw

The UEFA Champions League draw happened earlier today and there are some intriguing matchups.

VfB Stuttgart v Barcelona
Olympiakos v Bordeaux
Internazionale v Chelsea
Bayern Munich v Fiorentina
CSKA Moscow v Sevilla FC
Lyon v Real Madrid
FC Porto v Arsenal
AC Milan v Manchester United

The Chelsea vs Inter match catches my eye because it has The Special1 returning to face his former club, but for me the biggest matchup has to be Manchester United vs AC Milan. David Beckham was hoping for the match up earlier in the week and I have to admit that I didn't think it would happen. I guess I shouldn't doubt Goldenballs. So now Patrice Evra gets to try and shut down the former Old Trafford legend as United look to make it three straight Champions League finals in a row. I can't wait for mid February!

Glory Glory Man United.

Old School CR7

I was thinking back on C-Ron's time at ManU because of Darren Fletcher's comments the other day and I thought I would share a few of his goals from the 2007-2008 season.

More News For Your Tuesday

Yesterday when I talked about David Beckham having asthma, I thought I just missed it somewhere along the years. Apparently, it's making headlines in England too. I also ran across this article written before MLS Cup about the 10 things we've learned from David's time in MLS. It's definitely worth the read.

Darren Fletcher has opened his mouth...and I still don't like him. First, he talks about how much of a hack he is, and then he complains about to play defense for Ronaldo. Dude, you're a defensive midfielder. Get over it! You'll never be the creative, attacking player that gets the big pay day...and the girls. Of course you probably don't carry a Murse either.

Prepare For Combat

Johnny Evans feeling the pressure.

The secret to Rooney's success... Marriage??

The Manchester Derby - Press Pass

Yeah, I'm not still trying to catch my breath because it was on Setanta! So I didn't get to see it. Although watching Real Madrid in HD was pretty awesome on Sunday.

Besiktas vs Manchester United

"Frickin Forlan" says SAF

I guess I'm not the only one who's said that a time or two. New reports out of Britain state the Diego Forlan's choice of footwear caused him to get booted out of Old Trafford. Oh, and that's why you missed so many opportunities?

Dwight Yorke Retires ( A Week Ago)

DJ Salvo's post of the Soca Warriors Anthem reminded me that I never said anything about Dwight Yorke's retirement from football. He's had a long career and has achieved great things, especially for a player from the CONCACAF region. His Treble winning season with ManU and T&T's first World Cup finals will always be huge accomplishments that stand out in my mind. I am a big fan of the striker and always hoped he would end up in MLS. Oh well...Cantona never played in MLS either and I got over that. Sort of. Well, at least I can still hope for Stern John to come back.

Here Dwight sits down to talk with the TTFF.
Part 1

Part 2

Manchester United vs Arsenal Highlights

ManU gets lucky with the PK call and own goal. Rooney's touch was going out of bounds when Almunia hits him and Fantasy Football owners everywhere are upset with the Diaby own goal...well, at least I am.

Usain Bolt's message to Man U

The Message is quick just about 34 seconds. Seems Bolt is a Red Devil supporter.

Manchester United Vs Wigan Highlights

ManU didn't stay down for long. Rooney gets his 100th goal for the club while Owen gets his first.

Manchester United vs Burnley

Big Bad Burnley showed Man U what playing with heart looks like.

Rooney 1, Birmingham City 0

Lucky break for United. I still don't see them winning a 4th championship in row, but Sir Alex has proven many wrong and if anyone can get the best out of a team he can.

EVDS out for 8 weeks.

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will be out of action for two months after surgery on a broken finger and bone in his left hand.

Van der Sar suffered the injury saving a penalty from Danijel Pranjic in United's shoot-out defeat to Bayern Munich in a pre-season friendly in Germany.

"United have been dealt a blow ahead of the 2009-10 season after confirming that Edwin van der Sar has been sidelined for the start of the campaign," a statement on the club's website confirmed.

The 38-year-old is not expected to be back until late September, meaning United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will have to use either Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak for the opening weeks of the season.

Foster is more likely to get the nod from Ferguson after the Scot recently claimed the keeper would end the season as a serious contender to be England's number one at next year's World Cup in South Africa.

The former Stoke stopper signed a new contract in July and Ferguson said at the time: "He (Foster) is seen as one of the best young goalkeepers in England and we genuinely see him as a successor to Edwin."

Valencia vs Valencia

This was the final tune up for United before their season begins. Not a bad result, nice outing for new boy Antonio Valencia.

Manchester United vs Greentown

I know Man U have a huge following in these Asian Countries... but you would think with American owners United and even Liverpool FC would make a visit here in the States as well. I guess they want us to support Chelsea FC since they have been here 3 times already.