Has Fergie lost it??

[corleone]

The money that was paid for Carrick. Veron. The inability to buy a decent midfielder. The falling out with Keane and then Van Nistlerooy. Kleberson, Djemba Djemba, Silvestre, Foran. In his exerpts from his autobiography in the Sunday Times, Gordan Strachan talks bitterly about how Alex Ferguson treated him, while talking him up as an outstanding motivator of men. Strachan's point seems to be that Fergie could get away with murder while Man U were dominating Endland but now that they aren't he can't get away with the hairdryer treatment of his stars. As much as the Glazers are hated by Utd fans I have come to the conclusion that he is past it (particularly in his dealings on the transfer market) and they would not be doing the club any harm by trying to dislodge him. A truly great manager that has hung on for too long??

[bandage]

Think rock and a few others mentioned something similar in the 'EPL' thread. Those players you have mentioned are all crazy signings, really crazy. I think the Carrick signing has finally pushed a lot of ManU supporters over the edge. I was reading a few quotes from the likes of the head of the Independent ManU Supporters Association who was saying that he doesn't know anybody, anywhere who considers Carrick to be worth £18.6m and this is on the back of those other signings and his failure to replace the Keane/Scholes axis for the last 3-4 years.

Their midfield will again be found wanting I believe - think lyonsee said he rates Smith there, I'd be interested to hear on what basis? Think Fergie has now said Smith will be primarily used up front this season - he doesn't even seem to know where his players' best positions are any more. You have Smith, Giggs and O'Shea playing all over the place and he had Ferdinand and Rooney playing centre midfield against Wolves in the Cup last season. He should have retired a few years back when he initially said he would. That said I am enjoying watching their demise. I remember when they used to treat the League Cup with disdain. Last season you had them winning it and Fergie saying it's always expected at a club of their stature that the team deliver at least one trophy a season. Not sure if the League Cup is what their supporters had in mind though!

[lyonsee]

While I think £18.6m is an absolute farce, I would make the point that I think Carrick is a good addition to the team. As mentioned above, United's central midfield was severely weakened last seaon yet they still managed to finish 2nd. This was a commendable achievement imo and I say this even though I detest the Manc scum.

Re: Smith - I rate him insofar as his workrate is good, he never shirks a tackle and he keeps it simple and doesn't give the ball away often. He doesn't dominate games and he's certainly not Roy Keane but I think he's quite effective.

Clearly though Fergie should've fooked off when he said he did.