Gibson : United must not lie down

We have got to get back on track against Blackburn on Sunday. I'm expecting a hard game.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7566984/Darron-Gibson-Manchester-United-must-stand-and-fight-after-Champions-League-exit.html

Where do United go from here Daniel Taylor and James Ducker have their say.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/apr/08/sir-alex-ferguson-manchester-united
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7091597.ece

Whilst Ian Ladyman gets in on the act inthe Mail.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1264358/Manchester-United-3-Bayern-Munich-2-The-facts-trouble-Alex-Ferguson.html
The passing and passing completion percentages at the end spoil a reasonable article. We were playing with ten men for the last 35 minutes, so our percentages would obviously be well down.

James Ducker asks if Ferguson rues the lack of effort United showed in trying to keep Tevez at the club. As one who was happy to see him go it pains me to say that we have missed him. But it wasn't £25 million was it, it was way more than that. And i still don't think he's worth the £25 million, so even though it has probably cost us over the last two games i still think he was right to let him go.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2010/04/ferguson-left-to-rue-tevezs-old-trafford-exit.html

Uli Hoeness has a go at the ungentlemanly Ferguson. He has a point, it's become embarrassing the way he blames everybody else except the players and himself every time we get beat this season. It's a bit of a nonsense to say typical German, Italian, spanish or even English anymore when half or even more of a side won't even come from that country as has been mentioned a few time since Wednesday. We know and i should think they know they were lucky on the night, but over the two legs we made too many mistakes to complain about getting knocked out.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article7092413.ece

The guardian reports that David Villa of Valencia let United know that if he comes to England United would be his choice of club. We can only hope Hernandez is the real deal. I have now seen a little of the Mexican and the one thing that he does seem to have is some nous in the penalty box. In an ideal ( no glazer ) world i would be happy enough at this state of things, but the knowledge that if we really needed to we can't compete for the best players in the world, really grates.
I started watching United properly the season we were relegated and the thought that United could compete for the best players in the world was pie in the sky until the the beginning of this decade. Of course this state of affairs lasted just five years until a chancer from the States who couldn't afford us was loaned the money to buy us. And yet now the Glazers seem to want to run one of the biggest if not the biggest clubs in the world as if we were Ajax ( no offence Ajax who i admire ) finding young players and then selling for a profit. If we found them and kept them that would be totally acceptable and a realistic way to stay near the top of the tree competing. But if they really think we can buy and sell for a profit and keep competing with the big boys of Europe, theyare in for a nasty shock.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/09/manchester-united-david-villa

Gill hints at more signings according the Indie, lets see, Rodwell and Milner? That would definitely mean players going out. Berba and Carrick? they would be the players sweating the most i would think. The books have to be balanced. I would be happy enough with that. Milner has come in for some stick on United's messageboards. But whilst not top class, he is English ( that's going to become more important in years to come ) he is versatile, he is a 100% player and he scores goals. I am not sure either of them will come, though it does seem to be a well known rumour, but they both would be good additions to the squad. Cleverley's injury doesn't seem as bad as first feared so he will be like a new player. We still need that midfield playmaker to replace Scholes, but i don't know where that player is.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/gill-hints-at-further-manchester-united-signings-1940238.html


A tory calls for fundamental reform of football governance.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/championship/7564384/Lord-Mawhinney-urges-Football-League-reform.html

Roy Hattersley says good riddnace to the long Parliament and hopes proper reform is on the way. I have some time for Hattersley but it does make me laugh sometimes reading his calls for constitutional reform when i remember how vehemently he used to be against it.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article7092466.ece

Greek economy in trouble as bonds are sold. Merkel seems to get a fair bit of praise in some quarters but i'm not sure historians will see her that way.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/08/investors-sell-greek-bonds

US - Israeli relations stay strained.
http://www.newstatesman.com/2010/04/netanyahu-israel

Craig Murray has a go at the standards of British democracy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/08/craig-murray-general-election

A leopard can't change it's spots, the banks just can't help themselves. Question is when are one of our governments going to force them to.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/

Some Hawkwind