Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 00:01:28 -0500 Reply-To: "Manchester United Football Club (soccer)" Sender: "Manchester United Football Club (soccer)" From: Automatic digest processor Subject: MUFC Digest - 29 May 1999 to 30 May 1999 (#1999-41) To: Recipients of MUFC digests There are 21 messages totalling 1195 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Not so fast Mark!!! (2) 2. Teamtalk: Super Cup date set 3. Fergie tips City for promotion shock 4. Observer: Juninho next on United wanted list 5. Bestie misses The Goals 6. Sunday Times: Who should United buy? 7. Sunday People: Johnsen and Ole injuries 8. Barthez or Bosnich? 9. PICTURE REQUESTS 10. liverpool mailing list 11. MUFC Digest - 28 May 1999 to 29 May 1999 (#1999-40) 12. Thoughts for next season 13. The Balance Swings Bosnich's Way 14. REDS BARCE DIARY'S Wanted 15. Man City 16. tv commentator swearing-????? 17. Bosnich (2 articles) 18. Beckham (2 articles: Guardian % Times) 19. Money for Fergie (Soccernet) 20. Soccernet: United can dominate Europe for years ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 01:23:59 -0400 From: Stephen Samuels Subject: Not so fast Mark!!! Barthez in line for shock United switch By Bob Cass Sunday, May 30, 1999 Treble champions Manchester United are ready to stun goalkeeper Mark Bosnich by signing French World Cup winner Fabien Barthez. Aussie Bosnich travelled to Old Trafford on Friday for talks with United manager Alex Ferguson and chairman Martin Edwards. But the Aston Villa man, widely expected to replace Danish superstar Peter Schmeichel, is now unlikely to return to the club he first joined when he arrived from Sydney 10 years ago. Bosnich would cost nothing under the Bosman freedom of movement ruling, while Ferguson will have to splash out £5 million to prise Barthez away from Monaco, where he still has three years of his contract to run. But Barthez believes he is Old Trafford-bound. He said: 'There's a good offer on the table from England. There's also strong interest from Italy and Spain but I have made up my mind to play in the English Premier League. I just hope Monaco will now respect my ambitions. 'I've given a lot to French football. I'd now like to move to England to fulfil my career.' Ferguson refuses to compromise for financial reasons his belief that he must find the best 'keeper in the world to replace Schmeichel. And that makes Barthez, the 27-year-old whose shaven head made him instantly recognisable at France '98, the priority choice to follow the giant Dane, who played his last game for United in Wednesday's European Champions League final. Barthez's passage to Old Trafford could even be smoothed by Schmeichel moving in the opposite direction. He favours a switch to the Principality and life in the French League. Ironically, since announcing his intention to quit Old Trafford last November, Schmeichel has pinpointed Barthez as his ideal replacement. 'There were some outstanding performers at France '98,' said Schmeichel. 'And I felt that Barthez was the best.' Thoughts anyone? Steve, Richmond Hill Red ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 08:01:02 +0300 From: Terry Dale Subject: Teamtalk: Super Cup date set Super Cup date set United will take on Italian giants Lazio in this year's European Super Cup, on Friday, August 27 in Monaco. The BBC will screen the game live. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 08:02:45 +0300 From: Terry Dale Subject: Fergie tips City for promotion shock And yes, he uses the 'BIG' word!! Fergie tipping City for glory Alex Ferguson is tipping neighbours Manchester City to regain their status as a First Division club in Sunday's play-off final with Gillingham. Ferguson not only believes that City will see off Gillingham in the Second Division play-off final on Sunday, but also could be in line to regain their Premiership status next season. Ferguson said: "It's good for Manchester to have two teams in the Premiership. "I hope City win and I think they will win. "Joe Royle is a good friend of mine and we sold them Terry Cooke to help them out and I'd definitely welcome a City victory. It's such a big club." ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 07:58:05 +0300 From: Terry Dale Subject: Observer: Juninho next on United wanted list Juninho next on United wanted list The Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is considering restoring the cultured skills of the Brazilian Juninho to the Premiership as he draws up an ambitious three-year plan to ensure his club's grip on European football does not weaken. Although United's chief executive Martin Edwards has insisted there is no bottomless pit of money in the Old Trafford vaults, Ferguson has already made enquiries to ascertain whether Juninho is interested in returning to England. Juninho has experienced mixed fortunes since leaving Middlesbrough for Atletico Madrid two summers ago and his departure from Spain is now regarded as inevitable. Atletico invested 12m in the diminutive Brazilian midfielder, but it is believed they would now off-load him for around 9.5m. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 07:54:25 +0300 From: Terry Dale Subject: Bestie misses The Goals GEORGE NOT BEST PLEASED AT MISSING REDS TRIUMPH (365) George Best was 'gutted' by Manchester United's 2-1 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions' Cup Final - because he walked out of the ground before the final whistle. The United legend left the Nou Camp in Barcelona with four minutes still remaining and Alex Ferguson's side losing 1-0. The 52-year-old, who played 361 times for the club and scored in the previous European Cup final success over Benfica in 1968, believed the Old Trafford Treble dream was over and missed the two late goals which sealed the 2-1 win. Spokesman Phil Hughes, who was getting into a car with the Irishman when Teddy Sheringham guided in the 90th-minute equaliser, claimed the fear of seeing the champions lose combined with the masses of autograph hunters drove Best away. Once Best realised the scores were level they made a dash for a local hotel to watch the rest of the game on television but by the time they arrived Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had added a second, less than a minute later, and the final whistle had gone. "George was absolutely gutted," said Hughes. "We had both thought they were going to lose and didn't want to see that happen. Also we had to get George out early because there were about 6,000 supporters trying to get his autograph. But of course he was delighted United had won. He stayed up till 3am watching all the highlights on TV," Hughes told The Sun. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 07:55:51 +0300 From: Terry Dale Subject: Sunday Times: Who should United buy? Sunday Times- Who should United buy? United cannot afford to stand still. To retain their crown they should target some of the best players in Europe, says Mike Hammond Absolutely fabulous, not quite flawless TIME stands still for nobody, not even for Alex Ferguson. The Manchester United manager is entitled to drink in every last drop of his team's historic achievement, but there are three years to go before he hangs up his wristwatch, and he is too shrewd an operator to be persuaded into believing that the success of today will inevitably breed more of the same tomorrow. United cannot rest on their laurels. Their team is fabulous but not flawless, and constructive analysis will tell Ferguson and the United board that there are still a few pieces to be acquired before the jigsaw is complete. The likes of Barcelona, Milan and Bayern Munich will be making rigorous plans this summer to try to prise the Champions Cup from their grasp. This is not the time for Martin Edwards to plead poverty. Reports that United are the world's richest club sit uncomfortably with the chairman's sulky response to the BSkyB takeover failure. And if they don't have the spending power to compete with their free-spending continental rivals now, when will they ever? Ferguson's office will be besieged by agents over the next few weeks as some of the game's finest players seek a place on the United bandwagon. Putting up the No Vacancies sign would be a dereliction of duty. Money is available to replace Peter Schmeichel, but the reconstruction of United's defence should not stop there. Jaap Stam has developed into a colossal presence but still seeks a steady partner. If money were no object and contracts unbinding, Ferguson could solve this problem by signing Parma's Fabio Cannavaro or Lazio's Alessandro Nesta. Cannavaro's classy French international teammate Lilian Thuram is another attractive proposition. We now know that Roy Keane is irreplaceable in the heart of United's midfield, but Ferguson must be rising fast to the temptation to field the Irishman alongside David Beckham in the centre. If so, a right-sided midfielder can be added to the shopping-list. Locating a player who crosses the ball as dangerously as Beckham is a task akin to raiding the Lost Ark, but the best alternative could be Portuguese international Sergio Conceicao, who enjoyed a tremendous first season with Lazio. If Beckham stays on the right flank, there might be a strong case for Ferguson fortifying the centre of his team with classy Dutchman, Edgar Davids, or even taking the creative department to a higher plane with the signing of a Brazilian virtuoso such as Juninho or Rivaldo. It is safe to assume that United's four main strikers will be in residence next season. The Andy Cole-Dwight Yorke tandem may have malfunctioned against Bayern, but their goalscoring record over the season speaks for itself, and what price Teddy Sheringham or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer drifting away from the trophy-hunting party now? Even so, it would take a strong harness to hold Ferguson back if a world-class striker such as Gabriel Batistuta or Christian Vieri became available. Most of the elements are in place to take Manchester United on to further peaks of sporting triumph at home and abroad, but all successful clubs need to regenerate and evolve. United are no different from any other, despite the silverware they now so proudly hold. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 07:59:43 +0300 From: Terry Dale Subject: Sunday People: Johnsen and Ole injuries CROCKED RONNY IN 8-WEEK FITNESS FIGHT RONNY JOHNSEN hopes to avoid a career-threatening double knee operation - with the help of a special training schedule. The Manchester United star has been playing under the cloud of major surgery since being diagnosed as having "jumper's knee" in both legs. The condition hits some top athletes like tennis star Steffi Graf. Northern Ireland centre half Barry Hunter was out for two years with the complaint and it's whispered Ronaldo has it too. And Norwegian ace Johnsen feared the same problem would rule him out for at least five or six months. Expert Worse still the speedy defender only has a 60 per cent chance of recovering completely. Johnsen was originally due in for an operation on both knees this week. But Lars Engebretsen, the Norwegian FA doctor, has come up with a possible medical cure. And expert Engebretsen, who also works with Norway's Olympic team, has revealed the special measures to SUPER SPORT. The strict regime will mean eight weeks of intense training over the summer - no holidays for the Champions' Cup winner. And will also be banned from kicking a ball for the same period, ruling him out of pre-season training and possibly some of the treble winners' opening games. Engebretsen has faxed his detailed course of exercises to Old Trafford explaining how he thinks the injury can be cured. The Norwegian doc said last night: "There is a very specific training programme that we have developed with the Olympic team for other athletes with the same problem. "It consists of very heavy exercises over a six to eight week period to build up the muscle and strength of the legs around the area. "It's also necessary for Ronny to keep away from kicking a ball for the same period. He needs to rest from that completely. Chance "I have sent my report to United and it is up to them when it will start. We think our proposals will work and there would be a cure to the problem. "It will be very different to what he does during the normal season. They play two or three times a week and do not have the chance to do rehab work on his knees." Johnsen has been in pain for some time, hiding the secret, although his nickname of The Ice Man tells the story of how he always tries to cool down the throbbing joints after games. Engebretsen noticed the complaint recently when he took up the Norwegian FA job, but added: "I suspect Ronny has had this problem for some years. "But when you are playing you don't feel the pain. It is after matches that it hurts and you start to feel bad." Johnsen was facing the nightmare of surgery later this week and Engebretsen is equally frank about the operation and the chances of coming back from it. Recovery He said: "It's not a difficult operation in itself. The surgery is easy to perform. You go in and remove up to 20 per cent of the tendon in the knees. "The problem is that there is just a 60 or 70 per cent recovery rate for athletes or footballers to get back to their best. It is certainly not 100 per cent. "There are no guarantees that these guys will get back to their full level after the surgery." Engebretsen, however, is far more upbeat about Johnsen being able to carry on if his programme is used by United and begins as soon as possible. He said: "I think Ronny can play next season if they follow this plan. ''We have had success with other athletes and there is every chance he can get back to his best physical shape." SCORER GUNNAR IN INJURY STUNNER By FRANK WIECHULA OLE GUNNAR Solskjaer's goal celebration after his historic European Cup Final winner looks like costing him a double Euro 2000 injury knockout. The striker is out of Norway's home qualifier against Georgia today with a knee injury he aggravated after sliding on the Nou Camp turf after his injury-time goal against Bayern Munich. He is expected to be sidelined for three weeks and that will also rule him out of the qualifier in Albania next Saturday. The United striker received the bad news after being checked out by Norway doctor Lars Engerbretsen. He said: "Ole Gunnar said he felt a pain on Friday morning and was checked by the United doctor and also by myself when he arrived in Oslo. "He has a ligament inflammation which he has had for the last two months. "When someone with a ligament problem like Ole Gunnar throws himself on to his knees in celebration that could have caused the problem. He will be out for three weeks." Solskjaer said: "It would have been great to have played for Norway after all the highs of the last week. But with the pain it is impossible for me to play." Solksjaer, Ronny Johnsen and non-playing Henning Berg are heroes for becoming the first Norwegians to figure in a European Cup-winning team. Solskjaer received a congratulatory hand- written telegram from the Norwegian Prime Minister and there is talk of erecting a statue of the little hit-man in his home-town of Kristiansund. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 07:53:14 +0300 From: Terry Dale Subject: Barthez or Bosnich? The Sunday Mirror thinks it's Barthez: AB FAB FOR UNITED ALEX FERGUSON has made a dramatic 11th hour move to line up France's Fabien Barthez as an alternative to Mark Bosnich as Peter Schmeichel's successor. By PAUL HETHERINGTON If United can agree personal terms with 27-year-old Barthez, it will leave Aston Villa's Bosnich broken-hearted. Bosnich was expecting to sign for United this week and was at Old Trafford on Friday for talks with manager Ferguson and chairman Martin Edwards. But United have still not closed the deal, even though Bosnich is available on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling. In the meantime, Fergie has still been considering other targets after missing out on the keeper he really wanted - Ajax's Edwin van der Sar, who last week joined Juventus for 6m. That has coincided with Barthez, France's World Cup-winning goalkeeper, announcing: "I am leaving Monaco - I have played my last match for the club. "All the big clubs in Europe have been making inquiries about me, so it's now or never for me. If Monaco stand in my way, things will become very awkward." Barthez has two years remaining on his contract with Monaco, who would demand a 5m fee at least. His departure would open the door for Schmeichel to make his ideal move - to Monaco. Bosnich has rejected Liverpool and Roma to sign for United and he remains an option for Ferguson. But he has never been at the top of Fergie's list of possible targets, which have included Alex Manninger at Arsenal. Ferguson said of his search for a keeper: "Now, my immediate priority is to resolve this situation and hopefully, that will be done in the next week or so." Soccernet thinks it's Barthez, too ... Barthez in line for shock United switch By Bob Cass Sunday, May 30, 1999 Treble champions Manchester United are ready to stun goalkeeper Mark Bosnich by signing French World Cup winner Fabien Barthez. Aussie Bosnich travelled to Old Trafford on Friday for talks with United manager Alex Ferguson and chairman Martin Edwards. But the Aston Villa man, widely expected to replace Danish superstar Peter Schmeichel, is now unlikely to return to the club he first joined when he arrived from Sydney 10 years ago. Bosnich would cost nothing under the Bosman freedom of movement ruling, while Ferguson will have to splash out 5 million to prise Barthez away from Monaco, where he still has three years of his contract to run. But Barthez believes he is Old Trafford-bound. He said: 'There's a good offer on the table from England. There's also strong interest from Italy and Spain but I have made up my mind to play in the English Premier League. I just hope Monaco will now respect my ambitions. 'I've given a lot to French football. I'd now like to move to England to fulfil my career.' Ferguson refuses to compromise for financial reasons his belief that he must find the best 'keeper in the world to replace Schmeichel. And that makes Barthez, the 27-year-old whose shaven head made him instantly recognisable at France '98, the priority choice to follow the giant Dane, who played his last game for United in Wednesday's European Champions League final. Barthez's passage to Old Trafford could even be smoothed by Schmeichel moving in the opposite direction. He favours a switch to the Principality and life in the French League. Ironically, since announcing his intention to quit Old Trafford last November, Schmeichel has pinpointed Barthez as his ideal replacement. 'There were some outstanding performers at France '98,' said Schmeichel. 'And I felt that Barthez was the best.' Football 365 thinks it will be Bosnich ... FULL CIRCLE AS BOSNICH LINES UP OLD TRAFFORD RETURN Mark Bosnich is set to complete a remarkable career circle by rejoining Manchester United - seven years after the search for a work permit forced him away from the club. Bosnich played three first team games for United between 1989 and 1991 before returning to his native Australia to renew his work permit. But instead of returning to Old Trafford, the Aussie international, who returned to the country because he married an Englishwoman, signed a two-year contract with Villa in 1992. Bosnich, 27, is now expected to rejoin the European champions on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling to replace Peter Schmeichel, who is leaving the club. Old Trafford chief executive Martin Edwards has admitted that a deal for Bosnich is imminent after much speculation throughout the season. "I think things will evolve fairly quickly," Edwards said. "Nothing has happened as of yet. It could happen in the next few days." Dutch international Edwin Van der Saar opted to join Italian club Juventus, after reportedly being courted by United, leaving Bosnich as the number one choice. United boss Alex Ferguson was left disappointed by Bosnich's decision to join Villa seven years ago, but appears ready to forgive and forget as he bids to fill the gap left by the Dane's departure. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 15:47:40 EST From: Paul Griscti Subject: PICTURE REQUESTS Dear List members, Im in need of 3 seperate pictures. One of each trophy won by the REDS.. If anyone can help.. can they please reply to me personally. NOT through the list. Thanks for all your help!!! Paul Griscti A.K.A Inspector G ICQ# 2005652 griscti@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 12:27:08 GMT-0430 From: Peyman Radsan Subject: liverpool mailing list hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii first of all i want to congartulate this fantastic wining:) we are the god of foooooooooooooooooooootbal..and nothing can stay in our way............................ i don't think my heart works normally after that glorious match:) maybe i had a heart atack!!!!:D hey one of my friends that is liverpool fan wants to join liverpool mailing list :) does anyone here know how he can subscribe there? i mean do you know the adress that he should send mail for subscribing"???? (we have only e_mail:~) thhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhakns alot {8D) C U around peyman ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 12:14:07 +0300 From: chbaro Subject: Re: MUFC Digest - 28 May 1999 to 29 May 1999 (#1999-40) Hi Devils, Here's the Scousers' record in the formerly-named "European Cup", as requested by Dave Marshall: '76/77: 1st Rd, 1st Leg: Pool vs Crusaders Belfast.........2-0 (Neal, Toshack). 2nd Leg: Crusaders Belfast vs Pool....................0-5 (Johnson 2, Keegan, McDermott, Heighway) 2nd Rd, 1st Leg: Trabzonspor vs Pool...............1-0. (Cemil). 2nd Leg: Pool vs Trabzonspor............. 3-0. (Heighway, Johnson, Keegan). Quarter-Finals, 1st Leg: Saint-Etienne vs Pool: 1-0. (Dominique Bathenay). 2nd Leg: Pool vs St-Etienne: 3-1. (Keegan, R. Kennedy, Fairclough) (Bathenay) Semi-Finals, 1st Leg: FC Zurich vs Pool: 1-3. (Risi) (Neal 2, Heighway). 2nd Leg: Pool vs FC Zurich: 3-0. (Case 2, Keegan). Final: Pool vs Borussia Moenchengladbach: 3-1. McDermott (27'), Smith (65'), Neal (82' pen). Alan Simonsen (51'). 1977/78: 1st Round: the bastards were given a bye !!! 2nd Rd, 1st Leg: Pool vs Dynamo Dresden (GDR): 5-1.Hansen, Case 2, Neal, R. Kennedy. 2nd Leg: D. Dresden vs Pool: 2-1. Kotte, Sachse.......Heighway. Quarter-Finals, 1st Leg: Benfica vs Pool: 1-2. Nené........Case, Hughes. 2nd Leg: Pool vs Benfica: 4-1. Callaghan, Dogleash, McDermott, Neal....(Nené). Semi-Finals, 1st Leg: Bor. Moenchengladbach vs Pool: 2-1. Hannes, Bonhof......Johnson. 2nd Leg: Pool vs Bor. Moench'bach: 3-0. R. Kennedy, Dogleash, Case. Final: Pool vs Club Brugge (Belgium): 1-0. Dogleash (64'). 1980/81: 1st Rd, 1st Leg: OPS Olun PS vs Pool: 1-1. Poutiniemi...........McDermott. 2nd Leg: Pool vs OPS Olun PS: 10-1 (Well, I'm not gonna state those f***en scorers!) 2nd Rd, 1st Leg: Aberdeen vs Pool: 0-1. McDermott. 2nd Leg: Pool vs ABerdeen: 4-0. Willie Miller (own goal), Neal, Dogleash, Hansen. Quarter-Finals, 1st Leg: Pool vs CSKA Sofia: 5-1. Souness 3, Lee, McDermott..... Yontchev. 2nd Leg: CSKA Sofia vs Pool: 0-1. Johnson. Semi-Finals, 1st Leg: Pool vs Bayern Munich: 0-0. 2nd Leg: Bayern Munich vs Pool: 1-1. Rummenigge......R. Kennedy. Final: Pool vs Real Madrid: 1-0. Alan Kennedy (82'). 1983/84: 1st Rd, 1st Leg: OB Odense (Denmark) vs Pool: 0-1. Dogleash. 2nd Leg: Pool vs OB Odense: 5-0. Dogleash (2), Robinson (2), Grausen (own goal). 2nd Rd, 1st Leg: Pool vs Athletico Bilbao: 0-0. 2nd Leg: Athletico Bilbao vs Pool: 0-1. Rush. Quarter-Finals, 1st Leg: Pool vs Benfica: 1-0. Rush. 2nd Leg: Benfica vs Pool: 1-4. Nené.....Whelan 2, Craig Johnston, Rush. Semi-Finals, 1st Leg: Pool vs Dynamo Bucharest: 1-0. Lee. 2nd Leg: D. Bucharest vs Pool: 1-2. Oraz ........... Rush 2. Final: Pool vs AS Roma: 1-1. aet. (5-3 on penalty shoot-out). Neal (18)..........Roberto Pruzzo (38'). (Courtesy of "Annuario del Calcio Mondiale", Turin.) On a different note, "World Soccer" monthly magazine will go on-line on the Internet. However, the magazine's content will not be put on the site, as it'll be an entirely independent daily news and statistical service site, with a global coverage the world over. I will keep you updated with this topic. Here are the sale dates of the upcoming 7 issues of "World Soccer": "Summer '99 issue"........June 25. August ..........................July 23. September.....................August 20. October.........................September 17. November......................October 15. December.......................November 12. January '2000..................December 10. As you are aware right now, we are publishing the magazine every 4 weeks, rather than every month. This is why the "Summer '99" issue will be the 13th copy of this year. PS: Terry, the trip to Barça was simply fantastico (hugs from Nathalie and myself.) Cheers for now :-) Mohamed S. Chbaro "World Soccer" Middle-East Correspondent Beirut the Lebanon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 01:15:12 +0300 From: hamzah Subject: Re: Not so fast Mark!!! Stephen Samuels wrote: Ironically, since announcing his intention to quit Old Trafford last November Schmeichel has pinpointed Barthez as his ideal replacement. 'There were some outstanding performers at France '98,' said Schmeichel. 'And I felt that Barthez was the best.' > Thoughts anyone? > > Steve, Richmond Hill Red In The Clubs official magazine, big Jaap said he didn't rate him, and neither do i, but if he does sign for us then i hope he proves me wrong! Hamzah Saudi Arabia ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 11:51:27 GMT From: "snark^" Subject: Re: Thoughts for next season =>> On Sat, 29 May 1999 the runes were cast, the portents thundered and then Amir Inbar warbled on about Thoughts for next season <<= > Well, it could be Bosnich for keeper. Who ever it is, if it's the man > Fergie wanted I would feel confident. I would have wanted Van Der Sar > but if not him, it might as well be Bosnich who knows the premier league > much better. We'll just see. Who knew Peter Schmeichel would be the > world's best when we signed him? Any keeper will do so long as he's 7ft high and 11ft wide. :) > I really don't see us signing a full back. If we can get a midfield > player or two as Fergie wants I don't see why we'll need one as Phil > Neville won't have to play anywhere as he's been doing. > > Hopefully David May will want to stay, even though we are somewhat well > covered at the back. We still don't know if Johnsen's "Jumpers-knee" is > true or not. We'll have to wait and see. I think we have it covered on the defence. Stam and Johnsen are two of the classier central denfenders in Europe. We've also got lotsa central defenders who're also good a covering defensively at fullback when needed (Berg and May aren't good at performing as attacking fullbacks though). Expect Wesley to make more of an impact next season. But Dennnnnis might need replacing soon too. > We certainly need some extra cover in midfield, though we should > calculate our moves well here. We can't exactly go and get a midfield > star and a right wing star. But if Fergie can find little Solskjaer's > somewhere, class players who won't think they deserve first team > football just because they are called X, it'll be good. One more central midfielder is needed really. We've only really got 3 players to cover those 2 centre midfield spots. I wouldn't trust Becks there again in big matches. He's fine when wide on the right + we get his tremendous inch perfect crossing - and he's okay at the tracking back thing. When he plays centrally he's not too bad at the playmaking role but he doesn't have a clue there defensively - Bayern's players walked through the centre all night (Butty couldn't be everywhere). We already have a world class central playmaker in Scholsey so I reckon we can leave Becks on the right. We've got Giggsy and Blom on the left; Becks and Greening on the right, so just one more central midfielder should cover it. > What about that left wing spot? Blomqvist was awful against Bayern, and > he hasn't set the world on fire in the second half of the season. But I > still believe in the lad. He has impressed in the first half of the > season. Let's just give him a chance hey? He might do a Sheringham. > Cruyff has scored a superb goal for celta last Sunday. Though if we keep > Jeppe and sign 1-2 midfield players, I don't see a future for him at Old > Trafford. Blommo I think was found out by the sheer no. of games to be played in the Premier. He definitely tired toward the end of the season(+ was suffering under some minor injury or something?). I still think he is a preferred option to Giggsy in some matches though - those where we need good final passes over running at the defence. I don't see too many problems up front either. All four offer different styles and strategies for Fergie to choose from - Sheri's clever, Ole's a poacher, Andy's got the speed, and Dwight has the flair. Just keeping the four of them happy is Fergie's main problemo. -- snark^ leonidas(at) ICQ No.: 1471203 earthlight(dot)co(dot)nz ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 22:29:00 +0800 From: Edwin Lee Subject: The Balance Swings Bosnich's Way Lifted without permission from The Daily Soccer: Barthez agrees to stay at Monaco PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) - France's World Cup goalkeeper Fabien Barthez said on Saturday he had agreed terms to stay on at Monaco. He was speaking after their 1-0 home win over Lorient in Monaco's last league game of the season. ''There are certain things one can't turn down. I received financial guarantees and that's the reason I'm staying at Monaco,'' Barthez said after a brief meeting with club president Jean-Louis Campora. Barthez, who won the league championship with Monaco in 1997, said he had agreed to better terms and the extension of his contract for a further two years until 2004. He was quoted on Friday as saying he wanted to leave Monaco, fearing that if he did not do so now he might lose the chance of a new challenge, possibly abroad. In Britain, early editions of two Sunday newspapers said Barthez was set to replace Peter Schmeichel at Manchester United, a job linked for some time to Aston Villa's Mark Bosnich. Edwin Lee edwinlee@singnet.com.sg ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 16:37:15 +0200 From: Barry Leeming Subject: REDS BARCE DIARY'S Wanted SUNDAY 30th May 1999 Barry and Bill JUST BACK from Barce! 2.200 km from Nou Camp to Aalborg 29hrs driving time due to storms and traffic Now to update the website + Match Diary's to come! Any list members who send us "REDS BARCE DIARY'S" will be included on the site email them to the list + barry@mufc.simplenet.com It was great meeting you all at the Hard Rock Cafe, Michael Collins and Ramblas! None of us can quite believe what has happened "WE Won the F....N LOT!" So far here are the pics available...... many more to come! The first 12 personal pics compliments of PJ Thum Boston RED start here: http://mufc.simplenet.com/mufc/images/99/ecfinal/ 52229 May 29 22:05 240599 1452 barry is an honorary boston red.jpg 57244 May 29 22:05 240599 1721 barry gets interviewed by sky 2.jpg 44379 May 29 22:05 240599 1905 becks gives us a wave.jpg 59426 May 29 22:05 240599 1914 reds in front of the bus.jpg 86331 May 29 22:04 250599 1956 reds with arms upraised.jpg 1436128 May 29 22:32 250599 2052 reds as far as they eye can see.mpg 52891 May 29 22:04 250599 2148 reds all the way down la rambla.jpg 75575 May 29 22:04 260599 1231 bill and pj.jpg 56792 May 29 22:04 260599 1407 roger and barry.jpg 68879 May 29 22:04 260599 1646 reds at hrc bar.jpg 56819 May 29 22:04 260599 1649 sean indulges in vices.jpg 65353 May 29 22:03 260599 2234 and it's all over!.jpg 221442 May 28 19:24 Barcelona-luke.jpg 14438 May 28 18:45 alex_arena.jpg 46650 May 28 18:25 bayern_goal.jpg 41524 May 28 18:26 bayern_team_photo.jpg 38527 May 28 18:21 beckham_and_babbel.jpg 25379 May 28 18:16 beckham_and_jancker.jpg 32045 May 28 18:42 beckham_and_teddy_airport_w_ecup.jpg 35372 May 28 18:17 beckham_places_free_kick.jpg 30645 May 28 18:30 beckham_training.jpg 36572 May 28 17:27 becks_and_peter.jpg 32694 May 28 17:27 becks_and_teddy.jpg 22142 May 28 17:27 becks_and_yorke.jpg 39786 May 28 18:18 becks_free_kick.jpg 35238 May 28 17:28 becks_kisses_ecup_pnev_may.jpg 35472 May 28 18:19 blomqvist_and_effenberg.jpg 27304 May 28 19:22 butt_and_effenberg.jpg 35274 May 28 18:20 butt_and_kuffour.jpg 26024 May 28 17:29 charlton_banks.jpg 22786 May 28 17:29 fans_celebrate_1.jpg 36242 May 28 18:29 fans_celebrate_10.jpg 32031 May 28 18:29 fans_celebrate_11.jpg 37778 May 28 17:29 fans_celebrate_2.jpg 40623 May 28 17:30 fans_celebrate_3.jpg 40329 May 28 17:31 fans_celebrate_4.jpg 40440 May 28 17:31 fans_celebrate_5.jpg 24191 May 28 17:31 fans_celebrate_6.jpg 35353 May 28 18:27 fans_celebrate_7.jpg 31354 May 28 18:28 fans_celebrate_8.jpg 38556 May 28 18:28 fans_celebrate_9.jpg 27463 May 28 17:32 fergie_celebrates.jpg 28696 May 28 17:33 fergie_hugs_teddy.jpg 21458 May 28 18:30 fergie_in_68_shirt.jpg 20256 May 28 18:31 fergie_in_68_shirt_training.jpg 23560 May 28 18:32 fergie_in_68_shirt_training_1.jpg 38233 May 28 17:33 fergie_kisses_ecup.jpg 49627 May 28 18:37 fergie_men_arena_w_ecup.jpg 19299 May 28 18:35 fergie_news_conference.jpg 31477 May 28 18:49 fergie_w_ecup_bus.jpg 39427 May 28 17:35 fergie_w_ecup_bus_1.jpg 34941 May 28 17:36 fergie_w_ecup_pose.jpg 25622 May 28 18:36 fergie_yorke_news_conference.jpg 31744 May 28 19:24 giggs_and_kuffour.jpg 34006 May 28 17:37 giggs_kisses_ecup.jpg 38306 May 28 17:37 giggs_kisses_ecup_2.jpg 37135 May 28 17:38 giggs_tackled_by_tarnat.jpg 28597 May 28 19:24 giggs_tackled_by_tarnat_1.jpg 37700 May 28 18:17 giggs_tackled_by_tarnat_2.jpg 36516 May 28 17:39 goal_celebration.jpg 30063 May 28 17:39 hug_keano.jpg 41284 May 28 18:16 irwin_and_basler.jpg 23517 May 28 18:20 irwin_and_basler_1.jpg 29970 May 28 18:15 johnsen_and_jancker.jpg 27077 May 28 17:40 may_w_ecup_and_becks.jpg 41823 May 28 17:40 munich_players_dejected.jpg 42477 May 28 17:44 ole_and_team_celebrate_winner.jpg 24286 May 28 17:44 ole_celebrates.jpg 28180 May 28 17:45 ole_celebrates_1.jpg 28326 May 28 18:38 peter_at_airport_w_ecup.jpg 30583 May 28 17:46 peter_celebrates_goal.jpg 32103 May 28 17:46 peter_w_ecup.jpg 21188 May 28 18:42 peter_w_medal.jpg 36319 May 28 17:48 players_w_ecup_1.jpg 39894 May 28 17:48 players_w_ecup_2.jpg 34896 May 28 17:49 players_w_ecup_3.jpg 43269 May 28 17:50 players_w_ecup_4.jpg 41375 May 28 17:50 players_w_ecup_5.jpg 43269 May 28 17:55 players_w_ecup_6.jpg 41881 May 28 17:56 players_w_ecup_7.jpg 38928 May 28 17:57 scholes_and_team.jpg 22326 May 28 18:43 solskjaer_w_medal.jpg 37561 May 28 18:18 stam_and_jeremies.jpg 24406 May 28 18:44 team_at_men_arena.jpg 26042 May 28 17:58 teddy_and_kuffour_tussle.jpg 34921 May 28 17:59 teddy_celebrates_goal.jpg 25017 May 28 17:59 teddy_celebrates_goal_1.jpg 39464 May 28 17:59 teddy_flick_header_to_ole.jpg 35353 May 28 18:00 teddy_goal_celebration.jpg 25444 May 28 18:01 teddy_w_ecup.jpg 34826 May 28 18:45 three_cups_on_bus.jpg 42422 May 28 18:27 united_team_photo.jpg 37826 May 28 18:31 united_training_at_nou_camp.jpg 24504 May 28 18:36 united_under_concorde.jpg 65779 May 28 18:43 victory_parade_1.jpg 47916 May 28 18:03 victory_parade_10.jpg 58009 May 28 18:04 victory_parade_11.jpg 38571 May 28 18:46 victory_parade_2.jpg 60685 May 28 18:47 victory_parade_3.jpg 32982 May 28 18:47 victory_parade_4.jpg 48375 May 28 18:48 victory_parade_5.jpg 38342 May 28 18:49 victory_parade_6.jpg 39263 May 28 18:08 victory_parade_7.jpg 59673 May 28 18:09 victory_parade_8.jpg 47985 May 28 18:10 victory_parade_9.jpg 24972 May 28 18:36 yorke_&_cole_parade.jpg 26206 May 28 18:42 yorke_&_stam_at_airport_w_ecup.jpg 34888 May 28 18:11 yorke_and_cole_w_ecup.jpg 44928 May 28 18:21 yorke_and_linke.jpg 33539 May 28 18:12 yorke_and_peter_celebrate.jpg 34539 May 28 18:12 yorke_and_peter_celebrate_1.jpg 19880 May 28 18:13 yorke_on_bus.jpg 20752 May 28 18:13 yorke_on_bus_w_cup.jpg 22960 May 28 18:44 yorke_w_cup_arena.jpg MUFC Hon. Executive CP Cheah Webmasters: Barry Leeming & Bill McArthur Graphics Sam Hayward, Design Diana Low Stats MUTV Masterfan 99 Paul Hinson Webmaster Mail: barry@mufc.simplenet.com Url: http://mufc.simplenet.com Daily News: http://mufc.simplenet.com/mufc/news World of Manchester United Football Club: "RED sky at night UNITED delight" **CL FINAL 26th MAY 1999 try the "FUN" Barce' Dance!** http://mufc.simplenet.com/mufc/barcedance.htm ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 13:33:51 -0700 From: wendy lyon Subject: Man City For those who didn't hear, City won their promotion battle today - coming from 2-0 down in the 86th minute to earn extra time and finally winning on penalties. Quote Mr Royle: "Now there are two teams in Manchester that go for 90 minutes." Er, Bayern Munich. Gillingham. That's all we need to say about that one ;) C'mon WATFORD. wendy ruadh@pacbell.net ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 17:23:51 EDT From: JOsulli887@AOL.COM Subject: Re: tv commentator swearing-????? Hi Fellow list members, Now that I'm getting back to normal after a severe headache inflicted on Wednesday. I heard someone talk about one of the commentators swearing on the air.Who was it and what did he say? I know it wasn't ( Tommy old onion bag Smyth )on our espn 2 show! Have a great Summer John O'Sullivan - Chicago Red ( Where it's 85 degrees !) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 07:14:59 +0300 From: Terry Dale Subject: Bosnich (2 articles) 1. Guardian Ellis - Bosnich going to United From the Press Association Sunday May 30, 1999 Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis expects goalkeeper Mark Bosnich to succeed Peter Schmeichel at Treble winners Manchester United. Bosnich, who began his career at Old Trafford 10 years ago, can join the Red Devils on a free transfer under the Bosman Ruling. United had this weekend been linked with Monaco's World Cup winning France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, but Ellis said: "Bosnich has decided to go and play for Manchester United rather than Villa and it is something that we have known about for some time." He added: "There is nothing that we can do about it, but it hurts us to lose him all the same." 2. Teamtalk Keeper transfer twist United's shortlist for a new goalkeeper has seemingly fallen to just one, with news that Fabien Barthez has signed a new deal with Monaco. Aston Villa's former United star Mark Bosnich now stands alone, and will probably rejoin the club he left at the beginning of the 90s next week. The last few weeks have seen a whole host of rumoured targets move or stay elsewhere, leaving just Bosnich in the queue of one to become Peter Schmeichel's successor. How much of these rumours we can take seriously is anyone's guess, but in the last few days both Barthez and Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar have come out and claimed that United wanted them. Barthez said only yesterday: "There is a good offer on the table from England, and I have made up my mind to play in the Premiership. I am leaving Monaco - I have played my last match for the club." United are more than likely to have been the club Barthez was referring to, while van der Sar too is claiming that the treble-winners wanted him - and made an approach just before the European Cup final last week. Van der Sar's agent, Rob Jansen, said: "I couldn't believe it. I thought Alex would have had other things on his mind. But we had just made our minds up to sign for Juventus." Van der Sar himself added: "I was in the North West looking at property. I wanted to get a feel of the atmosphere. I know about the rumours linking me to United, and it is possible I could have gone to the Premiership." However van der Sar went to Juventus on Thursday, while Barthez has this morning committed himself to Monaco for the next five years, saying: "Monaco made an offer that I couldn't refuse. I didn't imagine how much they wanted to keep me." TEAMtalk has been saying all along that Bosnich is the favourite to become United's new goalkeeper - most of the signs pointed to him even before the latest round of developments. Bosnich has turned down big money from both Liverpool and Roma in his desperation to return to Old Trafford. His best mate Dwight Yorke moved from Villa to United last season, and Bosnich would love to link up again with United's top scorer. Finally several sources are all agreed that whoever becomes United's new keeper will sign within the next week - with Bosnich's contract at Villa expiring at midnight on Monday, expect an announcement very shortly. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 07:17:21 +0300 From: Terry Dale Subject: Beckham (2 articles: Guardian % Times) 1. Guardian Beckham: I always want to stay at United David Beckham has revealed his desire to stay with Manchester United for the rest of his career. The 24-year-old England midfielder has enjoyed his Treble-winning season at Old Trafford so much that he reckons there is no reason he would ever want to leave United. "I always want to be a Manchester United player," he said. "When you achieve what we have this season why would you want anything else? Why go anywhere else? It couldn't get better wherever you went." Beckham has been arguably United's most consistent player as Alex Ferguson's men completed an unprecedented Treble of European Champions' Cup, FA Cup and Premiership title. But he is keen to give the credit for United's success to the team spirit under Ferguson. "You can tell there is a great spirit, friendship and feeling of togetherness between us. For a group of young lads to grow up and go on to win titles, FA Cups and now the European Cup is a dream come true, amazing. "I have never wanted to be out of the side. I haven't felt I've needed to rest or anything like that." 2. Times; Becks better than Best Matt Dickinson believes Europe will honour the player who should have won the domestic awards given to Ginola Beckham deserves to be hailed best since Best THERE are those who would shuffle up to David Ginola, apologise for the dreadful mistake and ask if it would not be too much trouble for him to forward his two player-of-the-year awards to Old Trafford, where a more worthy recipient awaits. In the year that Manchester United won every piece of silverware they coveted, it is deemed incongruous that a Worthington Cup-winner was fted as the outstanding player in the land. The Frenchman, they say, should do the decent thing. If there is merit in the sympathy for United players, there is no honour in deriding Ginola's double honour. At the time that the votes were cast, Tottenham Hotspur's dashing winger was as deserving as any of his illustrious predecessors. Perhaps, if he had been recognised solely by the Football Writers' Association (FWA), whose members are used to having their published opinions scorned, there would have been an inquiry, but the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) saw equal distinction in Ginola's play. Both organisations cannot be wrong, even if, in ten years' time, that is how it may appear. If there is a discrepancy, it is not with Ginola or his match-winning talents, but with a voting system that demands its members - be they PFA or FWA - to cast their votes before the climax of the season. The individual prizes are given out before the team trophies are decided and, much as one outstanding FA Cup Final performance should not sway a season's evidence, the timing is unfortunate. It is akin to reviewing a film or play having walked out five minutes from the end. Both organisations hold their annual dinners before the close of the season - the PFA in late April and the FWA two days before the FA Cup Final - and the logistics of registering votes and organising attendance ensures that the polling date must be earlier still. The FWA is, at least, attempting to delay the vote as long as possible, but it will remain an imperfect set-up unless decades of tradition are discarded. Who is to say Ginola would not have won both awards, anyway? If there is anger at United that none of its treble-winning squad was honoured, the problem lies, perversely, partly with the club itself. A team that prides itself on teamwork does not easily yield a first among equals, hence the split among the votes for United players that ensured none finished top. I can guarantee that Dwight Yorke received at least one vote and the evidence for him winning seemed, certainly until March, overwhelming. The joy with which the Tobagan played, accepting his 12 million transfer fee as flattery rather than a millstone, provided one of the most appealing sights of the season on top of his plethora of goals. In scoring almost 30 himself, he also coaxed a number from Andy Cole that few believed possible. By April, the vote could just as easily be transferred to Roy Keane. The United captain was as selfless as any leader could be, as he proved when his yellow card in Turin deprived him of a place in the European Cup final. He deserved some reward just for his courage in getting on with the game. Now, with hindsight, it is David Beckham who stands out as the outstanding player in this extraordinary side. His display in central midfield in Barcelona last week was by no means the best he is capable of and he may still be more dangerous wide on the right, but the urgency with which he drove United on in those last, memorable minutes in the Nou Camp should remain as etched in the memory as the goals from Sheringham and Solksjaer and he finishes the season as a player whom no country in the world could ignore. One of United's players - most probably Beckham, whose style, image and free kicks make him so eye-catching - may yet receive an individual honour, though, and it is the highest of them all. The European Footballer of the Year is announced in December, a more sensible time of year that allows the voters to reflect on the previous season as well as enabling World Cups or European championships to be taken into consideration. Kevin Keegan won the honour twice, in 1978 and 1979, while with SV Hamburg, but no player from the English league has been regarded as the best on the Continent since George Best in 1968. How appropriate if, in the year that United brought the European Cup back to Old Trafford, Beckham ended another 31-year wait. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 07:18:38 +0300 From: Terry Dale Subject: Money for Fergie (Soccernet) Fergie gets green light to spend again By Graham Hunter Monday, May 31, 1999 Alex Ferguson's desire to retain the Champions League Cup has convinced chairman Martin Edwards that Manchester United must spend this summer. After BSkyB's bid for United was rejected earlier this year, Edwards angered fans by saying there would be little money for the manager to buy players in the close season. But now a 20 million summer chasing players such as Juninho, Rivaldo, Edgar Davids and Juan Veron is in prospect. Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich is also an Old Trafford target after France World Cup-winner Fabien Barthez extended his contract with Monaco. Ferguson said: 'You should always buy when you are winning. We must not fall into the complacency trap which caught us out in 1994. We cannot let the other top English clubs catch up or go past us. We want to be driving the bus not among the passengers. 'I've told the chairman that, if we are to progress, we must look at players of the highest quality. If we are to experience again the kind of night we had in Barcelona, we cannot gamble on players who are not guaranteed to do a job for us.' Ferguson's targets have also included players of the proven international quality of Fiorentina's Argentina spearhead Gabriel Batistuta and Juventus playmaker Zinedine Zidane. Such a quest has been approved by Edwards. Ferguson added: 'I was encouraged by indications from the chairman that we see eye-to-eye about what is required.' ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 07:20:02 +0300 From: Terry Dale Subject: Soccernet: United can dominate Europe for years Utd can dominate Europe for years to come By John Greechan Monday, May 31, 1999 Manchester United have been placed alongside the great AC Milan team who conquered Italy and the continent a decade ago - and tipped to go even further by dominating Europe for seasons to come. Dutch legend Marco van Basten, who won back-to-back European Cups with Milan in 1989 and 1990, admitted to disbelief that United had lifted the Champions League title thanks to that unlikely comeback against Bayern Munich in Wednesday's dramatic final. But he believes the English champions' financial muscle, youthful squad and indomitable spirit can now come together to build a new European footballing dynasty. Comparing Alex Ferguson's team with the Milan side in which he won European Footballer of the Year three times, Van Basten said: 'They are both great teams, very big and successful - but United won the Treble and we didn't. 'If you look at the Ajax team who won the European Cup again and again in the early 1970s, or Bayern Munich's wins a few years later, then up to Liverpool and the way they dominated Europe, you see what United are aiming for. 'If you really want to make history you have to try to be there, at the top, for three or four years. 'I think United can do that. They have good players and, importantly, young players. They are also rich so they can compete with the biggest and most powerful clubs in Europe. 'If Ajax or a club from Portugal wins their Treble, immediately Barcelona, Milan or Real Madrid can move in and buy four or five of their best players. Manchester are a big institution, able to defend their players. 'This is the first time an English club have won the Treble and only Ajax, PSV and Celtic have done it before. But for those clubs it was much easier because their championships are not as strong as Italy, England or Germany. 'So I think Manchester are a great team, although it was a peculiar game in Barcelona. They did not have control for the whole game, for 90 minutes, then in two strange minutes they won the European Cup. 'In Holland nobody is a big supporter of the Germans. But, at the end of that game, you had to feel sorry for them because of the way they lost.' ------------------------------ End of MUFC Digest - 29 May 1999 to 30 May 1999 (#1999-41) **********************************************************