Manchester United Champions League: Fergie's class of 1999 v 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson's current crop of stars are grabbing the headlines, but how do they compare to the treble-winning Manchester United side of 1999?
Ferguson's class of 1999

Peter Schmeichel: Fergie called him 'bargain of the century', others simply the best goalkeeper ever; went out on the high of Barcelona.10/10
Gary Neville: Already an established international, a home-grown player who could be relied upon in defence and on the overlap down the right wing. 9/10
Jaap Stam: Voted best defender in Europe in 1999; strong and calm, his importance to United recognised fully after his departure. 9/10
Ronny Johnsen: One of the unsung and almost forgotten heroes; a defensive midfield anchor man of great ability and value. 8/10
Denis Irwin: One of the corner-stones, and arguably one of the game's greatest full-backs for his work-rate, versatility, dependability and unflappability. 9/10
Ryan Giggs: The consummate professional, and outstanding wide player, had already developed into one of the more mature senior members of the squad. 9/10
Nicky Butt: Often overshadowed in United's midfield, where he was seen as Keane's stand-in, but always committed, eager and understated. 8/10
David Beckham: Dead-ball skills underlined with corners that led to United's goals; already on way to superstardom despite deputising in central midfield. 9/10
Jesper Blomqvist: Talented Danish winger brought in as back-up to Giggs, but Barcelona was his last game before succumbing to another injury. 7/10
Andy Cole: At his goalscoring peak, playing a key role throughout the season in an almost telepathic partnership with Dwight Yorke. 9/10
Dwight Yorke: Top league goalscorer, his prolific understanding with Cole brought the strikers 53 goals between them during the season. 9/10
Teddy Sheringham: Limited opportunities at 33, but still scored crucial goals in the finals of the FA Cup and Champions League. 7/10
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: At height of his supersub days, coming off bench to score majority of his 20 goals, including winner against Bayern Munich. 8/10
Roy Keane: Gave one of best performances of career in the semi-final in Turin, but a booking ruled out of final. 9/10
Paul Scholes: Key midfield partnership with Keane which allowed him to get forward to make and score goals, but missed final through suspension. 9/10
Total: 129 / 150

Ferguson's class of 2008

Edwin van der Sar: Made most of season in which he was expected to be usurped by Ben Foster, and given some creditable performances between injuries. 8/10
Wes Brown: Limited opportunities at his preferred centre-half position, but has deputised for
Neville: at full-back in typically no-nonsense style. 8/10
Rio Ferdinand: Has become the dominant, classy, unruffled centre-half that had been expected of him throughout his career, though not always delivered. 9/10
Nemanja Vidic: The modern-day Steve Bruce to Ferdinand's Gary Pallister; has physical presence and great heading ability at both ends of pitch. 9/10
Patrice Evra: Overcome a mixed start, the former winger has turned into a quick and committed left-back, always looking to go forward. 8/10
Paul Scholes: Keane's departure allowed him to grow as a player, and become the team's pivot; seems to see things before other players. 10/10
Cristiano Ronaldo: Simply the most complete player around: equally adept in the air as on the ground, and takes a wicked free-kick. 10/10
Owen Hargreaves: Not quite Keane's successor yet, but his tenacious approach is ideally suited to the holding midfield role he occupies. 8/10
Ryan Giggs: Still around first-team squad, but some indifferent performances suggest that, at 34, anno domini is starting to catch up. 7/10
Wayne Rooney: Has a football brain beyond his 22 years; sizes up situations in an instant and invariably does the right thing. 9/10
Carlos Tevez: The darting, willing, charismatic striker has developed an excellent rapport with Rooney and Ronaldo, and scored his share of goals. 9/10
Nani: Potential there for all to see: could be another Ronaldo if he curbs tendency to get carried away and showboat. 8/10
Anderson: An assured playmaker of deceptive strength, he has improved game by game, and could prove the discovery of the season. 8/10
Michael Carrick: Still a bit of an enigma; dominant on his day, but not really made the holding role his own yet. 7/10
Darren Fletcher: Injury has hampered a season in which he was starting to challenge the galactios for a regular place in midfield. 7/10
Total: 124 / 150

- By Martin Smith
1:19pm BST 10/04/2008
The Telegraph

Squeaky Bum time

Well, lets talk football. Its down to the final tense moments of the season. or Squeaky bum time as Fergie likes to put it. And boy what a season. Real good. So being a die hard Manchester United supporter, the feeling is a bit bittersweet. Sweet because we are leading and mathematically look comfortable with a 3 point cushion. But bitter because the days ahead look tough. Anyways, let me get my unbiased hat on with a pen and a paper. So. The top three have 5 games left. United look to have the toughest games ahead while the Chavs look to have the easiest. Arsenal, well, even if they had the bottom 5 teams to play against, they would've still drawn I guess. Can u bet with them? I wouldn't if I was you. (well I've lost a lot on em so trust me).

So, Man United have Arsenal at home, Blackburn Away, Chelsea Away, West Ham home & then Wigan Away.
Let us look at the worst case scenario. If they draw against Arsenal and Blackburn, loose against the chavs (lucky Chelsea) & win against the Hammers and Wigan, then they will end up with 85 Points. Although the dropped points against boro the other week could prove costly. What is it that boro have got in them that they play decent football against the top teams and still at one point of the season fight for relegation, is beyond me. But credit to Mr. Southgate and his boys.


Now, Chelsea have Wigan Home, Everton Away, Man United home, New Castle Home and Bolton Away.
If Chelsea win against Wigan, United, the Toon & Bolton and draw against the other half of Scouse-land ie Everton, then they end up with 87 Points. Meaning it would go right down to the wire. Considering the other matches going as I forecasted, as everyone has already started it, the billing will be on the titanic clash at Stamford Bridge come April the 26th. The team which wins that game, would win the premier League. But we cant just ignore the other games as walk overs. Everton fighting for the 4th spot should do well at home. Also, Wigan and Bolton battling it out for getting out of the relegation zone, won't be child's play either. I don't expect them to win against the men from London but a tough fight means a weakend Chelsea side already without their two first choice Goal Keepers in Cech and Cudicini. Also, looking at the sudden revival of the Geordie's under King (yah, right!!) Kev, for once looks like a good thing. Yes I dont really fancy Mr. Keegan but I somehow have a soft spot for the Toon and always wanted them to do good, except in 95-96 for obvious reasons. So, I expect them to snatch a point from Mr. Avram face-like-a-wet-weekend-in-Middlesbrough Grant. They do that and I promise I wont ever laugh at Keegan again. Even if he does the squeeze-water-bottle-for-joy thing. I promise. Ok, I'll try. For a month. OK a Week. Ah What the heck! Do it for us this time boys. Come on the toon army.

So we come down to Arsenal. Arsenal have Man United Away, Reading Home, Derby Away, Everton Home, Sunderland Away.
Lets give Arsenal the benefit of the doubt and lets forget they drew their last two League games. Lets say Arsenal win their last 5 games. That will give them 85 Points and they will lead Man United by 1 point. Yeah I have predicted Man United to have 85 points but then if they loose against Arsenal (instead of a draw) then they get 1 Point less as predicted. So they end up with 84 and Arsenal with 85. But lets be practical for a while. I don't see them beating United at their home. And that's when it will be crucial. They beat United at Old Trafford and the race will be wide open. But then the rest of the games don't look too difficult. They'd beat Reading, Derby, Everton & Sunderland easy. So lets assume they draw against United. And win the rest of their games. They will end up with 84 Points and hence 1 short of United.

So it is set for a cracker of a finish. And if Fergie and his Men in red keep up the way they are playing domestically and keep the nerves as they traditionally do during "squeaky bum periods", I don't see anyone catching them. I trust in Sir Alex and the boys and he is experienced enough to have a better approach. I know whatever I have predicted is not going to end up even 50 percent correct but who pays for guessing. I got truckloads of bandwidth to use and plenty of time to spare.

Lets Cheer on the Reds from Manchester.

We shall not, we shall not be moved,
We shall not, we shall not be moved,
Just like the team,

that's gonna win the Football League - again!
We shall not, we shall not be moved.

Glory Glory Man United.

Fingers Crossed

Well, the same old whinging. But then what are blogs for? Eh' Anyways, yeah I mean even I am fed with my doppelganger self complaining about every bit of whats happening. I don't think I can get any lower than this. The questions keep popping up. Not that I am suffering emotionally or financially or career-wise. Alls well. The same old hiccups n all which every other boy suffers. Family is ..welll, as usual, brilliant. And the usual yada yada.
But you would wonder, so whats wrong?

Well I've been asking the same question. I dont know whats wrong. And it is so frustrating. Its this untolerable cruelty that hurts. That feeling which I get every once in a while saying somethings wrong. AH well, my mate says go n see a counselor. For fuck sake!! A counselor?

A guy who fucking gives you advice on your problems for money. Heck no. Doesnt fit right in my head. Talking about money. There is this miserable situation I have gotten into.

So, I work for this guy since I've been in London. Nice british born Indian guy. Helped me when I was looking for a job. And I have been loyal to him alright. As in, haven't complained about shit stuff. Pretty decent. But now, I need money. As in more money. My needs have grown and so has the need for that extra money. Yes I am an international student and its really a paltry amount that we are "legally" allowed to earn in this country. Real pisstake. You pay shitloads of tax and pay for licenses for every bloody thing you do. Paying for watching a TV, parking your vehicle, congestion charges, and for taking the piss. I mean literally. Ok I dont have to pay most of those charges because I dont have a car yet and neither do I plan to buy one soon lest I am employed by Mr. Mittal which is as unlikely as Chelsea playing 'sexy' football. Nevertheless, back to the point. After paying so much u save peanuts.

So now I want to look for a new job. Not that its hard to find one. Infact the experience I gained over the years working for my company has made me a lot better and its now sort of easy to find a similar job. But then the problem is Mr. Employer doesnt like it if we (me and friends) go looking for another job. What a shame. Yeah probably I would've done the same had I been in his shoes and I honestly know how it feels but what shall I do? I need money to pay my bills which is one of the reasons I am feeling shitty. Probably. But then unfortunately I am not professional enough to jump to a decision. Its easy to say well you need money so go do another job, dont give a toss about who thinks what, coz they aint gonna help you pay your bills. But its easier said than done. I just cant do it or just dont feel like it. Altough it would've been mighty jolly had Mr. Employer understood the predicament which I seriously doubt. But then when my friends have joined other jobs, he got angry in the beginning and it looked likely they wont be working for us again, but he still keeps calling them for work. Again. What a joke. Them boys were laughing behind his back. Saying they dont need him anymore coz they found a new job. They thought he needed em and not the other way around. And well, they've been proved right. Infact I've been proven wrong for thinking otherwise. For FUCK SAKE! The worst thing is, Mr. Employer is a very decent bloke. Very hard to find such a mate. Can't go all angry on him. But hold ur guns. Thats true only outside the office. When he gets in, its hard to predict him. Ruthless. Oh well, God bless! I dont care!

The other day, I was working at Wembley when I got a call from him asking me to collect everyones job cards. I told the area manager that I had to collect everyones jobcards for my boss. The area manager, being an arrogant racist little (read fat fuck coz he is over 18 stones) cunt that he is, looked at me and said in front of everyone, "the last time I checked, I was the area manager, you dont tell me what to do" and left. It was so embarassing. I felt like slashing the big daddy into pieces. But I said nothing, looked into his eyes and gulped down the anger. But that wasn't it. One of the staff turned up and said to me, "who the fuck are you and why the fuck do you want our jobcards. Who gave you the authority?" Well, initially I did explain it to her politely towards which I was greeted with more abuse. When I returned the favour, my boss called me again and insisted that I took the jobcards. Well, I couldn't because the Area manager had already started walking down with the staff towards the check out. I told my boss about it but he wouldn't understand. When all this was going on, one of the Area managers bitches (assistant) turned up from oblivion and she started snatching the phone out of my hands to my utter disbelief. She said I wasnt allowed to talk on the phone while at work. Technically I was finished but still I wasn't talking to my girlfriend. I was talking work. On the other hand my boss was still barraging on the phone asking me to take the job cards. Finally I told the lady manager (formerly bitch) that I was talking to the staffing team. Formerly, because she duely apologised. That was like a 10 min hell run that I went through. Blood was pumping hard and fast in my veins. I felt like just running away from all that shit. But I wanted to wait for my boss and tell him the whole thing.

When he turned up, I explained him the whole picture as it happened. Atleast I tried to but to my incredulity again I found out he wasn't really 100 percent interested in listening to me. But when he heard about one of our own staff having a go at me, he called her up. I honestly didnt want to see her again but he called her back again. When she turned up, he just told her I was the London team leader and she wasnt supposed to be rude to me. And thats all. Thats it. It was shocking, I couldn't believe it. The hardest part to take was, he said to her, If I was ever rude with her again, she should see him first before giving it back to me. Unfuckinbelievable. I get this for 2 years. This. I just went numb for a while. After that I didnt even expect him to talk to the area manager about treating me bad. How can I expect? When u expect, you get disappointed.

I dont know who to trust anymore. My friends are jealous. They see me doing good and they want to meddle around. They see me check-in and they cant take it. They see me talk to the managers at work and they cant take it. Backbitting is performed better than the opposite sex. But, I cant complain to my boss. He wouldnt understand. Imagine one guy crying foul against 5 others. Who would look foolish? Deceitful two faced bastards all of them. Now-a-days, whenever I feel like talking to someone, I can only think of mum and one of my friends in India. Thats all. Is that all this has come to? 23 years of so called abstract life for two swell people? Hey ram! Why dont mums live longer than you. I dont ever want mum to leave me. Like ever. hehe yeah sounds immature. Well thats how I am. There is no place for good men out there. Not that I am saying am good, but I am not bad either. Well, ok, not too bad. Am alright. But duniya keeps on moving ahead for better I think. It wouldn't stop for me or my intricate life. But then, they say gods watching. He'll bless me. Well, Fingers Crossed!