Owen on a free I don't believe it

If you had said last month "Michael Owen comes to United on a free transfer" most fans would have looked askance, pulled a face and dismissed the claim. Not had the best of luck with injuries since leaving Liverpool, not done a lot. But you never know. If Fergie invites you over for breakfast and offers a deal, even a pay per play deal you'd say "where do i sign". Especially with the 2010 World Cup coming up. A bit of a performance in a red shirt and you get handed a place in the three lions the following week.

Warming to the idea. I reckon the pace has gone but certainly not the skill in front of goal. If it is a pay per play deal it's surprising how recuperative it works. Louis Saha, great at Fulham, on a sick note in Manchester, but 24 appearances at Everton last season with six goals, some of them match winners.

Not reported in the news was Sean McGinty coming from Charlton Athletic, and Alberto Massacci from Empoli. Young lads for the Academy, and then the Reserves and who knows....

The media don't try to understand footie. Oh how do you replace Ronaldo, Schmeichel, Cantona, Tevez, Law, Charlton, Best. You don't you build a team with someone who is going to sneak goals, or hold up their attack, cover the wings, or just do the perfect long ball to the other side of the field.

New Signing from Wigan & Ecuador

Always good to hear about a new signing a winger from Wigan. It's always optimistic. At least we all know Antonio Valencia can hold his own in the Premiership, no need for a settling in period. He's already been on Match of the Day and he knows what the weather is like.

So with Tevez and Ronaldo departed, will there be another signing this summer? Will Frazier Campbell return from his loan spell at Hull City? I ignore all the newspaper speculation - gossip, agent's rumours and blatantly made up by journalists desperate to file a few paragraphs for the next deadline. I'll just have to wait for the official announcements.

Only one more empty month of no football until I start going to matches again. Two months off isn't bad. I was checking some old stats and 100 years ago they had a four month break for summer.

Setanta all over

Followed the Setanta slow demise for the last couple of weeks. Scanning every source of news on the web. Well it's finally all over. Actually not quite - Liverpool Tv, and Arsenal Tv were still broadcasting tonight but Celtic Tv and Rangers Tv is just a black screen.

That's four clubs who'll be looking for a digital slot. There is also the FA Cup games, England's national team games, and for those who need the money the most the Blue Square Conference sides.

We've been here before when On Digital collapsed in May 2002. From that we the viewers got Freeview, a free digital service and the football clubs in the Championship got a big hole in their accounts.

There is going to be a lot of debt left around after this. Is there a lesson from all of this? The number of people who actually take up subscriptions to pay-tv is a small number at current prices, though BSkyB will be happy they will reach 10 million by next year. If that is a true figure given the amount of churn and other factors with getting a true picture. Put it this way oil companies don't know how many filling stations they have or how big their oil reserves are.

Maybe the big cash cow for football from Tv is going to get a little slimmer over the next few years.

Tevez leaves the red shirts behind

Don't know what's been going on behind the scenes but Carlos Tevez will not be playing for Manchester United in the number 32 shirt ever again. Some other club will get a great player. Half expected this to happen because when it comes to contracts United usually act promptly and this one dragged on far too long.

Yes I'm one of those many, many fans at Old Trafford who had Tevez as one of their favourites. We just loved the energy, the commitment and never conceding there was a lost ball..

Seasons 2007-8, 2008-9. Appearances 69, Goals 19 - some of them match winners.

Looking For Eric Worth the Visit

Only go to a cinema a few times a year, but this is one I wanted to see. What better than making an effort to go on the official release day. It was worth it. Coming in at around 117 minutes is a tad too long for me. But I didn't get bored and story has a few turns you wouldn't expect. As for Eric himself what can I say. He makes the film with screen presence. I think they'll have to have sub titles if this film ever goes to the USA, not so sure they handle all the Manc accents and Eric doing lines in the French language. The vintage footage of some wonderful goals cuts in neatly.

As it was filmed last summer around here in Chorlton and Whalley Range kept spotting the locations. Walking besides Chorlton Brook where the get fit exercise scene was shot will never be the same again. The last scene is outside the Art Gallery in Salford on the A6 should you ever visit the north. All of this won't be a distraction to the rest of the world who can enjoy a good film.

End of season malaise

When the weather is hot you don't think of football. So bring on the sunshine for the UK. Where is it? I've got to last out until August. In the 2008/09 season attended 70 games which was my ultimate aim - kept moving the goalposts from 50, then 60. Goals 206, plus 22 in penalty shoot-outs. Spent £1,708 - which I think represents good value. Seen some of the world's best footballers, seen teams I'm passionate about. Been to Wembley and the highest ground in England at Buxton, plus I went to a Shrovetide football games in Ashbourne...
See the spreadsheet.

Next game will be Maine Road v. FC United in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday 4th August. Probably go the United v. Valencia having a warm-up match the next night. In the meantime I'm thinking about more away trips, better refreshments and other things to get the best out of next season. Even the footie fan has to move forward. Thanks for reading.

Barca better team on the night

Barcelona 2-0 United
Champions League Final; Stadio Olympico, Roma; att: 72,700
Not the dream end of the season we'd wished for. United just didn't play well enough. It was like watching an opposition team come to Old Trafford. We had the 10 minutes looking good, but when they scored it was like someone had put a hole in your inflatable bed. Didn't get back on terms, didn't boss the mid-field. The 70th minute goal put another a hole in it and it all fizzled down to the hard ground of uncomfortable reality. Did hold onto the belief of a comeback with Berbatov and Tevez coming on. But not to be. The consolation is we lost to Barcelona. A very good side who played the better tactics and better football on the night.

You can only win four trophies in a season, just have to settle for two of them. Football always let's you down that's why you have to really celebrate when you do actually win something. Finished the beer, then had half a bottle of Italian red wine, went to bed. It all starts again in August.

Wrapped in Hull

Hull City 0-1 United
Premiership 2008/9; attendance 24,945
I don't think anyone can complain about the team selection as the result said it all. The results at all the clubs facing relegation said it all - everyone lost. A cracking 20 yard shot by Darron Gibson won the match. He had a good game. It was an unfamiliar line-up but it all looked oh so comfortable. De Laet who made his debut put in a good effort, better than when I've seen him in the Reserves.

Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva (Eckersley 60), Neville, Brown, De Laet (Possebon 79), Nani, Fletcher, Gibson, Welbeck (Tosic 87), Martin, Macheda.

From this expect some commentator on Wednesday's big night in Rome to say "eleven changes from Sunday". Also got my wish that Sunderland and Hull City stay up.

Giraffe felled by Red Devil

You can always rely on a local newspaper coming up with a gem of a non-story. Giraffe felled by Red Devil is in that category. This is a large toy giraffe that got damaged by an exuberant United fan going home from the Arsenal match. I don't know the giraffe personally but I've seen him many times outside the toy shop on Manchester Road. Police called, no arrests, free publicity. From the South Manchester Reporter 21st May.

Meanwhile it's a bank holiday weekend and for once in the season don't have to fret about the title race.

Here's hoping Hull City and Sunderland stay up. That Burnley win the play-off on Monday and join the Premiership - if only for a season.

Last Game matters to Survivors

It's billed as Survival Sunday by the pay Tv companies. Four games for satellite viewers, and thankfully the result doesn't matter for us United fans. If previous last encounters that don't count are anything to go by then Hull City will be looking at three points. I'm thinking of West Ham last year, and an earlier Derby County. Earlier - I remember it was Jim Smith in charge of The Rams and they took three at Old Trafford. The United team had won the league and had their holiday cases packed.

Aston Villa v. Newcastle United - Sky Sports 1 / HD1
Hull City v. Man Utd - Sky Sports 3 / HD3
Sunderland v. Chelsea - Sky Sports 3 on Red Button
West Ham Utd v. Middlesbrough - Setanta Sports 1

Not bothered about United winning, but do want Sunderland to get something against Chelsea and stay up. Think I'd like Hull City to stay up too. They came to Old Trafford and it was a great game which we won 4-3. Do expect lots of moaning about United not fielding their best team, yeah, yeah, yeah!

So two hours on the sofa with snacks and beers watching the drama unravel.

The 10km race past Old Trafford

Not one for getting up early on Sunday but got down to Old Trafford for 1020h. Not bad usually sat around with coffee and dressing gown at this time. All this to see the 10km run in Manchester, and what better place to get a good view than outside the stadium of champions. It's at the 4km mark.

You have to hand it to people who put themselves through this. They come past in five batches. The fast people have a watch to monitor their timings. The stragglers get mixed up the next batch of fast runners. In between there are thousands of others - over 33,000 people.

Obviously nipped into the Mega Store where the Biffa herself bought a fetching glittery United sleeveless number. I settled for a cheaper £6 t-shirt from the unofficial sellers outside. They must have run them off last night as it is about the 18 title wins. The bloke warned me it will shrink a little on the first wash. Don't intend to get it dirty.

Champions 18th time

United 0-0 Arsenal
Premiership 2008/09; attendance 75,468
Not the best game, few chances and cautious play against an Arsenal side who had a lot of possession especially in the second half. They didn't do much with it, but for the last ten minutes a bit concerned they might score and ruin the party.

Crowned Champions Again from biffadigital on Vimeo.

Surprise substitution of Tevez in the 67 minute. Didn't go down well the crowd, in fact loud booing. It was though it was a farewell wave to the everyone from Tevez. It had that look about it. Hope not, but it doesn't look like he'll be here next season.

Stayed for the presentation afterwards. You have 50 people dashing about the field with a jigsaw of pieces to build a podium, a sheep pen for the press photographers, and the firework cannons. 15 minutes later the team returned for the cheering and fanfare.

It's all a bit of an anti-climax, and a relief that the season is over. But Champions again, three successive, 18 in total...in years to come we'll look back at this as the glory days.

Game 70 - this season, that's my personal achievement. Admission £35.

Just a point to the winning post

Wigan Athletic 1-2 United
Premiership 2008/09; attendance 21,286
What a tough game. Wigan didn't make it easy, United didn't make it easy either with few shots on target. But what a win. The man from Argentina came on to do a fantastic back kick and equalise. Carrick picked his spot in the 86th minute.

At one point I was pacing around the house instead of watching the Tv the tension having kicked in. So bring on Saturday and the early doors Arsenal match. Never been to a game where a team actually wins the title. Hopefully my dreams will come true and the celebrations will follow.

United take Senior Cup

The Manchester Senior Cup final was held at the Reebock Stadium. A Monday night with a 1900h kick off. The result was Bolton Wanderers Reserves 0 Manchester United Reserves 1. So, keep the trophy for another year. You can easily spot it with the other silverware if you do the museum tour. It's a good omen for the first team - oh, the superstitions of football.
I was all settled down to watch this on that dodgy streaming web video but after a few minutes the coverage switched to the Bayern Munich game. Drat! Couldn't find coverage anywhere. So much for not paying 6 GBP a month to MUTV.

Zoran Toscic scored the winner after eight minutes.
Team: Amos; Eckersley, C Evans, De Laet, James; Tosic (Stewart, 87), Drinkwater (Eikrem, 87), Possebon, Martin; Welbeck (Gill, 74), Macheda.
Subs not used: Devlin, Dudgeon.

I have a historical interest in this competition as it was the the first trophy won by Newton Heath on a rugby ground in nearby Whalley Range. Only few teams enter now in a mini-league with the top two going to a final.
Related Post : Earlier Senior Cup round also against Bolton 30th October 2008 - here.

Instanbul They're Not Going

Fancy somebody making a video of this.

Reds win the derby

United 2-0 Manchester City
Premiership 2008/09; attendance 75,464

Not the best derby match but a nice three points, only four more needed to win this league. Two great goals. Another spectacular free kick special from Ronaldo that appeared to go through the wall. The other a well taken shot by Tevez. He ran to the centre of the main stand - it was a statement. We'll be sorry to see him leave, if they don't sort a contact out, and it looks very unlikely they will.

Second half and City have a lot posession but do nothing with it. Let's do the highlights not shown to Tv viewers. Saw Toscic going into the ground with a couple of mates. Don't think some of the people who stand around the celebs car park knew who he was. They should check some Reserves matches and see some of the future. A bit of comedy at half time with giant figures with blokes who couldn't run in them trying to score penalties - United won 3-2 on those. Plus some acrobatic girls doing acrobatic stuff. Would have been better if it wasn't at the far end. Darren Fletcher got on the song sheet. "There is only one Darren Fletcher". Not original but it's a start after all these seasons. A song about "Istanbul you're not going to go" for the benefit of the Bitters. Last ten minutes was the repeated refrain of "City are shit. And that's a fact". Not original but near the mark. Apart from Stephen Ireland and Shay Given most of their team are just over paid lightweights.

It feels like it has been a very long season. This was:
Game 69 for me, admission £35.

Arsenal demolished

Arsenal 1-3 United (agg 1-4)
Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg; attendance 59,867
Who'd have believed it. Two goals up after 11 minutes and all that talk, predictions and uncertainties are out the window. You do the sums, they have to score four. It can be done, and I've seen it done but not against United on form.

A third from a breakway in the second half, and what a fantastic passing breakaway between Rooney and Ronaldo. It sealed it. Watched the Arsenal fans slinking up the steps home with half an hour to go. Would I have gone home so early if my team has been outclassed for an hour?

The only annoyance was the Tv commentary on ITV1. Harping on about yellow cards, on and on how you miss the final if you get a second over two legs. If you listen to these people Rooney and Evra wouldn't have started the game. Suprise red card for Fletcher with a last man tackle. This gave the commentators something else to talk about, and action replays show he got the ball first.

Watched this game in a rented appartment in Newcastle - right opposite Fenwick (famous store in town). Lucky venue. Planning my Wednesday 27th May final day already but back in Manchester. Two succesive finals now I believe I'm watching a great side.

Relax in Cheadle

Cheadle Town 0-1 Darwen
North West Counties Division 1; attendance 62

Just so I can claim to have been to 70 games this season I needed to get to another match - United v. Man. City and Arsenal will be 69, and 70 . As soon as the Boro v. United game finished it was off to Park Road in Cheadle. The Biffa herself gave me a lift down to a quiet suburban street before nipping off to sunny Stockport. I could see her snickering as she left me in a cul-de-sac of parked cars.

Walked through the gate and a lad popped up from somewhere for some cash. Thought I'd better buy a programme as they probably need the money. A great sunny day at my 16th ground this season. So not ground hopping standard but I have been to Wembley, and I'm watching Darwen a very old club who nearly went out of existence a few months ago.

The game wasn't that good - thought this has a 1 nil written all over it. Both keepers had trouble kicking a moving ball and getting into best position. The first player to put a well placed shot on target will get that goal. But it's an end of season mid-table clash so the result doesn't matter. It's not until the last 10 minutes do the teams go up a gear for a winner. So a wait until the 90th minute and Darwen tuck it away. By that time I've seen two dogs on leads walked around the pitch and had an interesting cup of coffee. It was an instant from a big tin. The the lad in the hut said "put your own in 'cos i don't know how strong you like it". Bloody hell, not weak dishwater like in the Premiership.

Journey home, and a moan about how public transport in Manchester needs to be municipalised and everyone given Oyster cards.
a) No.11 bus Cheadle to Gatley train station (Stagecoach company £1.40)
b) Airport - Piccadilly line : Gatley to Mauldeth Road, 14 punters waiting on platform (Northern Trains £1.40)
c) No. 22 bus Mauldeth Road to Chorlton Bus Station (First Direct company £2.00)
Journey time : 95 minutes. Longer and more expensive than the match. Plus you need to carry lots of small change. In the 21st Century can't we replace this metal in your pocket for something digital.

Game 68; admission £3.50, programme £1.00, coffee 50p, Mars Bar 50p, bus fares £2.80, train fare £1.40.

Nice little ground, tatty but friendly, and a small loyal support some with scarves. Still glad I go to these non-league games and you get a chance to retrieve the ball.

Easy at Riverside

Middlesbrough 0-2 United
Premiership 2008/09; attendance 33,767
Still eating my late breakfast when this game started at 1245h. It took a while for United to settle into a fine passing game. It got better after Giggs slotted a goal into the corner whilst the Boro defence were looking to the ref for some infringement. Nice one. Park put another away early in the second half and I eased back full stretch on the sofa. Thought that will go down well in Korea it was a well worked move. It would be nice to get a third just in case they pulled one back but no need. It was a comfortable win, didn't even realise Johnny Evans was on the pitch until near the end such was Boro's patchy attacking. United's away support could be heard throughout the match. Particularly liked "You're going down with the Shearer". I want Sunderland and Hull City to stay up.

Pressure on Liverpool, who are 6 points behind. My man of the match - Wayne Rooney, he's inspirational. Turned off the Tv and went out to enjoy the sunshine.

Reserves win last game

United Reserves 2-0 Sunderland
Reserve League North at Moss Lane, Altrincham; attendance 462
It's not the last game for the Reserves as they have a two cup finals coming up - Manchester Senior Cup, and the Lancashire FA Senior Cup but it was the last league game and a last visit to Altrincham's ground this season.

The Biffa herself wanted to come along. Tempted by seeing Ole coaching from the touchline, and a trip to Barney's Fish & Chip shop across the road. We sit in the main stand eating our fried delights covered in ketchup and watch the young United side clap the champions Sunderland on to the pitch.

The game is played at the usual racing speed. There are no goals in the first half but United have more chances on goal but it's not exciting. Possebon had to retire from play after only 15 minutes. Second half we walk around to the Sunderland goal to stretch our legs and work off all the chips we've eaten. Very few attacks but one of them results in a penalty and Lee Martin slammed it into the top right corner.

Just as I'm thinking of the tram home or should we stay for the added time there is a great goal by Matt James. One of those turn and shoot it up into nets efforts. We walk a slightly different route to Altrincham metro station down Mayor's Road past the park with swans settling down for the night by the pond. We've been to footie, home for 2135h and the world hasn't noticed.

Game 67 this season; admission and teamsheet free, tram fare £2.90, cheese and onion pie with chips £2.50.