Are Liverpool and Manchester United Facing a Disastrous Season?
Man U and Liverpool: Not doing well...
Every English league club holds a special place in the hearts of their fans but there is no doubt that two clubs stand head and shoulders above the rest in terms of adoration.
The cities of Liverpool and Manchester have teams in red and blue that split the footballing communities and most football fans would admit that it is the teams in the red that are the bigger draw. So much so that they are loved all around the world with fans in every corner of the globe, which helps them to make money in ways that other clubs can only dream of. For all that though, Manchester United and Liverpool are experiencing a torrid time at the moment.
The football world has been stunned with the news that Wayne Rooney has informed Manchester United that he wishes to leave the club. Sir Alex Ferguson announced this in a press conference before United faced Valencia and it seems that the relationship between the two has broken down.
Ferguson has broken down with many star names in the past and very few have lasted long at Old Trafford after the fall-out. With the esteem that Ferguson is held in at Old Trafford, it is inevitable that what the manager says goes but if Wayne Rooney is allowed to go, it may be the end of the Scottish manager's glorious reign.
If Rooney goes, Will Fergie Get the Money?
Ferguson has been written off many times before and has always managed to bounce back but the financial state of United at the moment suggests it may not be as easy. If United were to sell Rooney for a sum around £50m, they may not receive too much of that to strengthen the squad. After all, Cristiano Ronaldo went for a transfer fee in excess of £80m and not too much money was used by Ferguson to improve his squad. There is also the fear that Rooney may leave United for a figure close to £5m, which would be allowable due to the employment law concerning footballers contracts which came to light when Andy Webster left Hearts.
The Rooney story is dominating the off-field coverage of Manchester United but it has to be said that the club's league form is not much better. United may be in fourth place at the moment but being 5 points behind Chelsea and 3 points behind city rivals City can't be good for United fans. It is far too early to write United off and 5 points can be clawed back in no time at all but it is the manner of performances and results that is most troubling for Ferguson.
Draws are Stalling United's league campaign
Manchester United have yet to win away in the league this season so far and the latest disaster came at Old Trafford when a 2-0 lead against West Bromwich Albion was thrown away. The newly promoted side came back to level the scores at 2-2 and caused even more pain on the Red Devils. With Wayne Rooney being placed on the bench at the start of the game, not even his late appearance could turn the game back in United's favour and two more points were squandered in the league race.
Manchester United look to get their league campaign back on track this weekend with a trip to the Potteries where they will face Stoke City. Stoke City are hardly the team you would choose to face when you are going through a sticky patch as Tony Pullis will have his team fired up from the start. With long-throws and an in your face attitude, Manchester United will know they are in a game and will have to be on form if they wish to pick up their first away league win of the season.
My Journey to Professional Football-Betting
Observations and thoughts of a pre-professional football bettor with occassional comments by J Armstrong.
by Daniel Andersson
Click here to read entire column and to access comments by J Armstrong.
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