Toulouse hitman spotted outside Old Trafford, apparently
Avoiding Sky Sports News’ deadline day technique of repeatedly talking about David James’ car still being in the Portsmouth car park, The BBC have taken to spreading the utterly questionable sightings of their readers. A 606 board member posted the following rumour, which was deemed worthy of inclusion in their live transfer news feed:
“Just been driving to work, taking my daily route going past Old Trafford. On going past I saw someone that looked like Andre-Pierre Gignac stood with David Gill and another man. Gignac was talking to Gill with what looked like a contract in his hand.”
This sounds pretty realistic. After all, don’t that most big clubs conduct their business by waving contracts in the air outside their grounds?
Maybe the “Fergie, sign him up” chants were meant to be ironic?
Speak to a Manchester United fan today and they will more than likely tell you that they’re glad to see the back of Carlos Tevez. After all, he was nothing more than a headless chicken who didn’t score enough goals and had a rubbish second season. Funnily enough, that wasn’t the impression they gave directors at the conclusion of their final home game last season against Arsenal.
When we saw this picture, we knew it was only a matter of time before Federico Macheda bagged himself a partner befitting of a rambunctious Manchester Utd star. The Italian has done exactly that, after taking a liking to the Facebook profile picture of model, singer and actress Sophie Larissa Houghton. The couple ‘poked’ one another for a times, and have since enjoyed a string of dates.
The 19-year-old Wirral-based model is now the youngest WAG at Old Trafford, but is still two years older than Kiko.
It all goes wrong when you exit Old Trafford, just ask these guys
Manchester United chief executive David Gill has arrogantly suggested that Carlos Tevez’s career will go downhill if he walks away from Old Trafford.
He said: ”The game is littered with players who have left us, for whatever reason, who say after Manchester United it is downhill. Hopefully they get the right advice, they understand that and make the right decision.”
However, The Spoiler instantly thought of two courageous souls who somehow bounced back from the supposedly indescribable pain of leaving. Diego Forlan was the top La Liga scorer in 2004-05 and has this season scored a ridiculous
Man Utd/Man City, Premier League, Sun, 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1
Danielle Lloyd made them wait their turn on the balcony
There are plenty of statistics which suggest that an upset could be in order in Sunday’s Manchester derby: United have won just one of their last four home games against City and just five of their last 14 league clashes with them. The visitors, meanwhile, have won three straight league games for the first time all season, and have started to remember how to win away from home.
1. Manchester United have won 32 of their last 36 home league games, including 15 of the last 16.
2. Manchester City haven’t won four straight top-flight matches since November 1992. On the last two occasions that they have managed three in a row they have lost the fourth. They have also gone 14 games in all competitions without a draw.
John O’Shea nets the only goal of the semis so far
Manchester Utd 1/ Arsenal 0
The first round of Champions League semi-finals weren’t quite the goalfests we were all hoping for. At Old Trafford last night, Manu Adebayor was far too overwhelmed up front on his own to make a difference, and Manuel Almunia thwarted countless Utd efforts. Professor Wenger will be pretty pleased with the result, which is sure to make next week’s return leg at The Emirates more interesting. Please God, let it be more interesting.
In anticipation of tonight’s Champions League semi-fina, our boys at chickendinner have compiled ten number-based stats that may help you bet on the game…
0 - The number of losses Manchester United have suffered in their last 23 Champions League games.
1 - The number of victories Arsenal have claimed on their last six trips to Old Trafford. They have lost the other five.
2 - The number of times that Arsenal have faced fellow Premier League opposition in the Champions League prior to this - Chelsea in 2003-04 and Liverpool last season. On both occasions they were eliminated.
3 - The number of games where away-goal chasing Arsenal have found the net on their last nine trips to Old Trafford.
4 - The number of goals Manchester United scored in their last cup clash with Arsenal - a 4-0 FA Cup fifth round win last season where the Gunners rested several players. It’s also the shirt number of the
Our pals at chickendinner hand Liverpool some straws to clutch
Paddy Power think the title race is over and offer just 1/14 on Manchester United winning for the third straight season. To stop them, Liverpool must win all their remaining games and hope that the Red Devils drop six points. It’s all very unlikely but rather than accepting a premature end to an exciting campaign, we decided to look at where the holders are most likely to slip up:
Tottenham (h)
Spurs are unbeaten in six league meetings with the Big Four sides and have lost just one away game against a top-half side. Harry Redknapp’s side have lost one of their last nine and he has won there with West Ham and Portsmouth. Spurs haven’t won an away league match against a Big Four side since August 1993 - when they beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield. Verdict: United could drop two points here but three is unlikely.
Middlesbrough (a)
Boro have a deceptively good home record for a team in the bottom three and